First Look: Buying Waterfront in Harbour Isles

Picture stepping from your backyard onto your boat, coffee in hand, with the Intracoastal Waterway just beyond your dock. If you are eyeing Harbour Isles in the Village of North Palm Beach, you are in the right place. This first-look guide shows you how to assess dockage, ocean access, HOA rules, inspections, and costs so you can buy with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Why Harbour Isles appeals to boaters

Harbour Isles sits along the Intracoastal Waterway in the Village of North Palm Beach. Many homes have direct ICW frontage or canals that lead to it, which is appealing if you want fast access to open water. You will find a mix of private docks, lifts, and community-managed marine features that can fit a range of vessels.

What makes this neighborhood special for boaters is the combination of location and lifestyle. You can keep your boat close to home and reach the ocean through nearby inlets by running the ICW. The key is to confirm the route, bridge types, and depths that apply to your specific property and vessel.

Understand your water access

Harbour Isles properties connect to the ICW in different ways. Some lots face the ICW directly, while others back onto canals. The path you take to the ocean and the bridges you pass under depend on which slip or canal you use and which inlet you choose.

ICW frontage vs. canal homes

Direct ICW frontage usually means fewer turns to reach the main channel. Canal homes can be just as convenient, but you should confirm channel width, turning radius, and any shoaling at low tide. Ask the seller or association for a simple navigation diagram that shows local markers and any recent dredging.

If you own a tall vessel, confirm there are no low fixed bridges along your path that would limit your air draft. A sailboat or high-profile motor yacht may require a different route or timing with tides.

Bridge types and clearances

On this stretch of the ICW, you may encounter a mix of fixed and movable bridges. Fixed bridges list a vertical clearance on official charts. Movable bridges open on demand or on a schedule and are coordinated by bridge operators.

Your boat’s air draft is the headline figure. Always compare your air draft to the posted closed-clearance of each fixed bridge, adjusting for tide height and a safety margin. Local notices may temporarily change clearances or opening schedules, so verify current information before you go.

Tides, shoaling, and draft

Tide height changes two critical things. It affects your available bridge clearance and your usable depth along shallow stretches. Even a foot of tide can make a difference for a deeper draft boat.

Shoaling happens when sand and silt move and reduce channel depth. Conditions can change seasonally or after storms. Consult official charts and recent local reports, then confirm what you see with on-the-water checks.

Evaluating dockage at a property

Every waterfront home is different. Focus on the slip dimensions, depth, and condition of marine structures. These details determine what you can safely moor today and what upgrades you might plan for later.

Dock types you will see

• Private fixed-pile docks with permanent decking
• Floating docks that rise and fall with the tide
• Wet slips with boat lifts or davits
• Community or association-managed slips assigned to owners

Floating docks handle tidal changes well. Fixed docks are common and sturdy. Lifts or davits can reduce hull wear, marine growth, and storm exposure for many boats.

Verify dimensions and depth

Request exact slip length and clear width, not just a round number. Confirm water depth at mean low water and, if possible, at the lowest expected tide. Ask for a recent sounding or survey and whether the seller has maintenance records that reference dredging or bottom conditions.

If a lift is present, confirm its rated capacity against your vessel’s true weight, including fuel, gear, water, and tender. Check power and water pedestals for proper service and safe wiring.

Seawalls and lifts

Seawalls or bulkheads protect your yard and support the dock system. Inspect the cap, tiebacks, pilings, and any signs of settlement. The age and type of wall can influence future costs and insurance. For lifts, have a qualified marine contractor assess motors, gears, cables, bunks, and control systems.

Permits and environmental rules

Docks, boat lifts, and seawalls on tidal waters typically require permits at the county and state level and may involve federal coordination. Permits address navigation safety, shoreline protection, and impacts on sensitive habitats like seagrass. Verify that existing structures were permitted and that there are no open violations or unpermitted additions.

Manatee and seagrass protection rules guide how and where pilings and anchors may be placed. If you plan upgrades, factor in review timelines and compliance steps.

HOA rules to confirm

Association rules can affect boat size, slip use, and transfer rights when you buy. Because policies can vary by community and change over time, do not assume what applies in one neighborhood applies in Harbour Isles.

Request the full association document set before you commit. That includes CC&Rs, Rules and Regulations, ARC standards, dock assignment maps, meeting minutes, financials, reserve studies, and any slip or boat registration forms. Ask for the hurricane plan and the insurance requirements specific to boat owners.

Key items to clarify include whether slips are owned, assigned, or leased, how they transfer with a sale, any size or draft limits, guest and rental policies, utility metering, and whether liveaboards are permitted. Confirm who maintains seawalls and docks and how reserves or special assessments cover marine infrastructure.

Inspections, surveys, and documents

For a waterfront purchase, add marine-focused due diligence to your usual home inspections. Schedule a marine contractor to inspect the dock, lift, pilings, electrical, and seawall. Ask for a property survey that shows the seawall line, distance to mean high water, and any encroachments.

If you plan to keep a larger boat, get a written evaluation of lift capacity and structural condition. Request permit history from county records to confirm the dock and lift were built and modified with approvals. If there are seagrass beds near the property, understand how they could affect future changes.

Flood zones, insurance, and risk

Many coastal properties fall within flood zones that can influence building requirements and insurance premiums. Look for elevation details, flood vents, and other mitigation features on the home. Windstorm coverage, deductibles, and insurer requirements in coastal Florida can be meaningful planning items.

Repairs or additions to docks and seawalls often need permits and may trigger updates to current code. Build potential timelines for approvals into your project and closing plans.

Costs to plan for

It is wise to budget for both routine and periodic marine expenses. Examples include:

• Annual service for lifts and electrical components
• Dock and piling maintenance or replacement of worn hardware
• Seawall periodic repairs and long-term replacement reserves
• HOA dues plus any marine-related special assessments
• Home, flood, windstorm, and boat insurance
• Possible dredging or channel maintenance assessments if applicable

Ask the seller or association for recent invoices, reserve studies, and any planned projects. A clear record of upkeep reduces surprises.

Your step-by-step purchase checklist

• Get the full HOA document package and meeting minutes.
• Obtain exact slip dimensions and depth at mean low water with recent soundings if available.
• Confirm seawall ownership, condition, and complete permit history.
• Verify lift capacity, service records, and dockside utilities.
• Review official nautical charts and recent notices for bridge clearances, shoaling, and route details to the inlet.
• Request the hurricane policy for boats and any haul-out expectations.
• Have a marine contractor inspect the dock, lift, and seawall.
• Confirm flood zone, elevation, and insurance implications.

How to confirm your route to open water

Before you rely on any single source, cross-check information from multiple places. Review official charts for vertical clearances and channel depths along your planned path. Look up any temporary navigation changes or bridge schedule updates that could affect timing.

Local operators and marinas are helpful for recent conditions. Combine their input with your own measurements, especially for air draft and your lowest expected clearance. Always allow a safety margin for tides and weather.

Common buyer mistakes to avoid

• Assuming a boat will fit without measuring LOA, beam, and lift capacity
• Overlooking depth at low tide along the canal or at the slip
• Skipping seawall inspections or ignoring tieback condition
• Not reviewing HOA rules on boat size, slip transfer, or storm procedures
• Underestimating permit needs for lift upgrades or dock changes
• Forgetting to budget for flood and wind insurance during underwriting

How The Murray Group supports you

You deserve a streamlined experience that respects your time and standards. The Murray Group pairs neighborhood expertise with development-level insight so you can evaluate waterfront properties with clarity. We coordinate the right inspections, gather association documents, and help you understand route logistics, permit histories, and insurance considerations.

Our team also curates on- and off-market options suited to boat owners, including marina-focused residences and new construction. If you are relocating or buying a second home, we bring a concierge approach that keeps the process organized and discreet.

Ready to explore Harbour Isles?

If you want a waterfront lifestyle in North Palm Beach with practical ocean access, a thoughtful plan will get you there. Start with the dock, seawall, depth, and route. Then pair a thorough document review with targeted inspections. With the right guidance, you can move from first look to first launch with confidence.

Connect with The Murray Group to schedule a private consultation and start your Harbour Isles search with a trusted, local team.

FAQs

What is Harbour Isles and where is it located?

• Harbour Isles is a waterfront residential community in the Village of North Palm Beach in Palm Beach County, with homes on the Intracoastal Waterway or canals that lead to it.

How do I know if my boat will fit the slip at a Harbour Isles home?

• Ask for exact slip length and width, depth at mean low water, and lift capacity if present, then compare to your boat’s LOA, beam, draft, and fully loaded weight.

How can I confirm safe ocean access from a Harbour Isles property?

• Review official charts for vertical clearances and depths along your route, check recent navigation notices for changes, and request a local navigation diagram from the seller or association.

What inspections should I order for docks and seawalls?

• Hire a qualified marine contractor to inspect pilings, caps, tiebacks, dock hardware, lift systems, and electrical, and obtain a property survey showing the seawall line and any encroachments.

Which HOA documents matter most for boat owners in Harbour Isles?

• Request CC&Rs, Rules and Regulations, ARC standards, dock assignment maps or slip agreements, meeting minutes, financials, reserve studies, hurricane plans, and boat insurance requirements.

How do tides affect bridge clearance and my route to the inlet?

• Tide height changes both usable depth and vertical clearance under fixed bridges, so compare your boat’s air draft and draft to the lowest anticipated tide conditions and allow a safety margin.

What permits might be required for dock or lift work at a Harbour Isles home?

• Dock, lift, and seawall work on tidal waters generally requires county and state permits and may involve federal coordination, with rules that address navigation safety and environmental protection.

What should I know about flood zones and insurance for waterfront homes?

• Many coastal homes sit in mapped flood zones that impact elevation standards and premiums, and windstorm coverage and deductibles can be significant, so consult experienced insurance professionals early.