Imagine waking up to the sound of waves, stepping out for a sunrise walk, then grabbing coffee before a paddle or snorkel — all before lunch. If you are curious whether condo life on Singer Island fits your lifestyle, you are not alone. Many buyers love the low-maintenance living, ocean access, and easy trips to dining, parks, and marinas. In this guide, you will learn what daily life looks like, the amenities most buildings offer, and the real costs and rules to understand before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Where Singer Island fits
Singer Island is a narrow Atlantic barrier peninsula in Palm Beach County. Most of the island sits within the City of Riviera Beach, while the southern tip is the small town of Palm Beach Shores. That means different municipal services by location and some parks managed by county or state agencies rather than by condo associations. You can get a quick overview of the geography and governance on the Singer Island page.
This split rarely affects your day-to-day beach time, but it can matter for permitting, policing, and how nearby amenities are managed. It is smart to ask which jurisdiction a building falls under when you start comparing options.
Daily life on the island
Beaches and parks you will use
One of the best parts of living here is how easy it is to reach quiet natural spaces. Locals love John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, a preserved stretch of shoreline and estuary with kayak and paddle rentals, ranger programs, and peaceful boardwalks. It offers a more nature-forward beach day and is popular for shelling, birding, and snorkeling.
For a classic guarded beach with facilities, Ocean Reef Park is a frequent pick. If you like snorkeling, Phil Foster Memorial Park near the Blue Heron Bridge is known for an underwater snorkel trail and excellent marine life viewing. Both are highlighted among the area’s top guarded beaches in this Palm Beaches guide.
Boating and short trips
If boating or fishing is part of your routine, Sailfish Marina on the Intracoastal side is a practical home base. It offers fueling, slips, charters, and a dockside restaurant that anchors lots of local activity. Superyacht and shipyard services are available just across the water in the Riviera Beach and West Palm area, so service and provisioning are close when you need them.
For a quick island adventure, many residents take a water taxi to Peanut Island for snorkeling, picnics, and calm-water swims. This short-hop outing is popular year-round and part of the local rhythm. For an overview of what to expect on your first trip, check this Peanut Island guide.
Dining and errands
Singer Island has a handful of island restaurants, waterfront bars, hotel dining rooms, and casual cafés. For bigger errands and weekly shopping, most residents drive a few minutes to the Blue Heron corridor or into Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach for full-service grocery, pharmacy, and big-box stores. The mix gives you flexibility without sacrificing that step-to-the-beach lifestyle.
Travel and commute
You can reach downtown West Palm Beach in about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic and exact location. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is typically a 15 to 25 minute drive, and the Brightline station in West Palm Beach puts Fort Lauderdale and Miami within an easy rail trip. For general travel times to and from the island, the area info on The Singer Resort’s getting here page is a handy reference.
Condo buildings and amenities
What you will find
Singer Island offers a broad mix of oceanfront high-rises with wide water views and mid-century concrete towers with classic layouts. You will also find resort-style hotel/condo hybrids where some units participate in rental programs. Amenity packages commonly include pools, fitness centers, concierge or valet, private beach access, pavilions, and social rooms. Select buildings offer on-site restaurants and limited dock or boat facilities.
Well-known properties include the Resort at Singer Island, Ocean’s Edge, and Water Glades, along with a number of condo towers along North Ocean Drive. Expect meaningful differences in services, rules, and finish levels from building to building.
Lifestyle tradeoffs
Newer and resort-managed buildings typically deliver higher service levels, updated systems, and a lock-and-leave feel. That convenience usually comes with higher HOA fees. Older buildings can offer great views and square footage at lower prices, but they may be working through inspections, reserves, or modernization projects that can lead to assessments. Keep these tradeoffs in mind as you compare your top three or four options.
Costs to expect
Purchase prices at a glance
The Singer Island condo market spans a wide range. You will see older, lower-priced units in mid-century buildings and multi-million-dollar residences in newer luxury towers. Recent market aggregates place many transactions in the high six-figure to low seven-figure range. Exact pricing depends on building age, view, size, finishes, floor height, and amenity level.
HOA fees and what they usually cover
Monthly association fees vary widely. On recent listings, you might see examples around 1,400 dollars per month for older buildings and 2,000 to 3,000 dollars per month in amenity-rich towers, with large, full-service penthouses sometimes exceeding 5,000 to 6,000 dollars per month. Ranges reflect included utilities, staffing, reserves, and insurance coverage on the master policy.
Most HOAs cover common-area upkeep, landscaping, pools, elevators, building structure, and often the association’s master or building insurance. They may include some utilities and trash. Flood insurance for your interior contents and any upgrades is typically your responsibility. If the condo is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you use a federally regulated mortgage, your lender will require flood coverage. The National Flood Insurance Program now prices policies using Risk Rating 2.0, which ties premiums to property-specific factors. For background on these rules, review this Congressional Research Service summary.
Insurance and storms
Singer Island sits on the Atlantic, so wind and water are part of life. Many buildings advertise impact-rated windows, doors, and generator backups, but you should verify documented wind mitigation features and recent inspection or repair history. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, as outlined by the National Hurricane Center. Proper coverage and good building systems keep day-to-day life smooth and support long-term value.
Rules, inspections, and reserves
Milestone inspections and SIRS
After the 2021 Surfside collapse, Florida updated condo laws to require periodic structural milestone inspections for condo buildings three stories or taller. Phase 1 is a visual review, and some buildings then move to Phase 2 for a deeper evaluation. Related structural integrity reserve studies help plan and fund future work. These requirements can lead to higher dues or special assessments if a building needs remediation. For an overview of current reporting and timelines, see this summary of SB 4-D requirements.
Rental and use rules
Short-term rental policies vary by building and municipality. Some condo hotels allow seasonal rentals through a managed program. Others set minimum lease terms or limit the number of rentals per year. If rental income is part of your plan, read the association bylaws before you write an offer. Changes in rental rules can materially affect returns.
Resale considerations
Transparent reserve funding, up-to-date milestone reports, and clear, consistent bylaws support easier resale and financing. Older towers with pending capital projects may offer lower entry prices but higher near-term cost exposure. Your goal is to balance purchase price with total monthly carrying cost and expected capital needs over your ownership timeline.
Buyer due diligence checklist
Use this quick list to keep your review on track. Ask the listing agent and the association for:
- Current HOA budget, last 3 years of financials, and recent meeting minutes. Florida law sets standards for association records, and sellers often provide required disclosures. You can read a legislative reference here: Florida Senate materials on condo legislation.
- Milestone inspection reports and the building’s Structural Integrity Reserve Study. Has Phase 1 been completed? If Phase 2 is needed, what is the schedule and scope? See a summary of requirements in this SB 4-D guidance.
- Insurance declarations for the master policy and a summary of what is covered vs. owner responsibility. Confirm the current flood zone and whether an Elevation Certificate exists. Review federal flood basics in this CRS overview of NFIP and Risk Rating 2.0.
- Rental and use rules. Verify minimum lease terms, any waiting periods for new owners, and any caps on the number of rentals per year.
- Boat access. If this is important, confirm deeded slips, waitlists, and public transient slip options. Sailfish Marina is a frequent resource for day dockage and charters.
Is a Singer Island condo right for you?
You might love it if you want easy beach access, minimal yard work, and a lock-and-leave setup for travel. The island offers nature-focused parks, lively waterfront dining, and quick access to downtown West Palm Beach and PBI. If boating or snorkeling is part of your routine, you will find plenty of options from the Intracoastal to the Blue Heron Bridge and Peanut Island.
The keys to a confident purchase are clear: compare total monthly costs across your top buildings, review milestone and reserve documentation, confirm insurance details, and make sure the building’s rental and use rules match your plans. With the right guidance, you can enjoy the best of oceanfront living with peace of mind.
If you are ready to explore condos on Singer Island or want a second opinion on a building’s fees, rules, or inspections, reach out. I will walk you through the details and help you focus on the options that fit your lifestyle and budget. Connect with Erin Duke-Warren to get started.
FAQs
How quiet is Singer Island at night?
- Oceanfront towers can feel calm, especially away from hotel zones, while weekends bring visitors to beaches and marinas. Nature areas like MacArthur Beach State Park offer quieter escapes during the day.
Do I need flood insurance for a Singer Island condo?
- If your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you use a federally regulated mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance. Details are outlined in this federal flood insurance overview.
What is the commute to PBI and downtown West Palm Beach?
- Typical drives run about 15 to 25 minutes to PBI and 10 to 20 minutes to downtown, depending on traffic and address. See general travel references on this getting-here page.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Singer Island condos?
- It depends on the building. Some condo hotels allow seasonal rentals while others require longer minimum leases. Always verify the association bylaws and any city rules before you buy.
What hurricane features should I look for in a condo building?
- Look for impact-rated windows and doors, tested shutter or screen systems, and generator support for common areas. The National Hurricane Center outlines season dates and storm basics so you can plan coverage and readiness.
