Pretty pink flamingos at Fisher Island’s aviary
Last weekend, my sister Kristy and I spent a day on Fisher Island hosted by Luxury Living Realty. It was my first time at this private enclave of Mediterranean-style homes and condos, situated on an island just south of South Beach, accessible only by ferry for residents and their guests. And let me tell you, it was everything it’s cracked up to be.
You immediately feel like you’ve been transported from the hustle and bustle of the “mainland”–even if that mainland happens to just be the slightly larger island of South Beach–to a quiet getaway of picturesque bay views, greenbelts and golf cart living. A happy bon vivant air permeates the island from its healthy (and wealthy), well-tanned residents heading to the spa for a morning workout to those enjoying a languid lunch at the oceanfront restaurant.
In addition to private homes on the island, there’s also a lavish 15-room boutique hotel with three luxurious cottages starting at about $800 per night, as well as a grocery store and a handful of restaurants–so you really never have to leave.
To get a sense of the real estate, the most expensive homes on the island are $14 million and up. On the low end, it’s possible to buy a studio villa for about $300K, but be prepared for quarterly homeowners fees around $6,000 and to fork over the one-time membership fee of $250,000. We were told most of those purchases are made for nanny’s quarters or visitors’ cottages by those who own more lavish properties on the island. Kristy and I considered pooling our resources for one such cottage, and we’ll be sure to let you know what we decide.
We spent the day enjoying a delicious brunch in a private home, touring the island on golf courts and exploring the aviary where I snapped the above pic of pink flamingos. They also had loquacious parrots, and we spotted iguanas and a manatee on our tour. We capped off the day with a dip in the ocean and a lounge session on cushy white chaises at the private beach.
We can’t wait to go back.
