Looking for a place where you can step out to your dock, enjoy world-class privacy, and still reach South Beach or Brickell in minutes? If that balance matters to you, Star Island deserves a close look. You want privacy without isolation, security without hassle, and water access that truly fits your boating lifestyle. In this guide, you’ll learn how the island’s gate and security work, what to expect from its waterfront, how it compares to nearby trophy enclaves, and the due diligence smart buyers complete before they proceed. Let’s dive in.
Star Island at a glance
Star Island is a man-made residential island in Biscayne Bay within the City of Miami Beach. It sits off the southern edge of Miami Beach and connects to the mainland along the MacArthur Causeway corridor. The setting is low density, almost entirely single-family estates with large lots, deep setbacks, private docks, and mature landscaping.
You are minutes from South Beach dining and culture and a short drive to Downtown Miami and Brickell, often under 20 minutes depending on traffic. Miami International Airport is generally a 20 to 30 minute drive. The appeal is simple: an island feel with immediate access to Miami’s business and lifestyle hubs.
Privacy and security
Gated access
Star Island is gated, and access is controlled at the causeway entrance. This reduces casual traffic and preserves a quieter residential environment. Most homes also feature long driveways and layered landscaping to shield interiors and outdoor spaces from view.
Layered security model
Security on the island typically includes a staffed gatehouse, private patrols organized by residents or an island association, and individual home systems like cameras, alarms, and secure perimeters. Municipal police have jurisdiction, and emergency response will depend on traffic and gate protocols. As with any gated community, you should confirm visitor procedures, vendor access, and any shared costs that support the security program.
What privacy really looks like
Waterfront estates feel secluded, but some docks and pools are visible from the bay. Pleasure boats can see portions of rear yards, especially on open-water lots. If maximum seclusion is a priority, review sightlines from the water, neighboring docks, and upper balconies. Star Island has attracted high-profile residents, so media curiosity can be a factor. Smart design, landscape planning, and on-site security can mitigate visibility and interruptions.
Waterfront access and boating
Deepwater access
Set in Biscayne Bay, Star Island offers direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway and convenient routes to the Atlantic through nearby channels. For avid boaters, this is a key advantage. Many properties include private docks, lifts, and the ability to outfit for day boating, sportfishing, or cruising.
Large yachts and practical limits
If you plan to berth a larger yacht, confirm the details early. Dock size, channel depth, and bay maneuverability all matter. Utilities on private docks can vary, and fueling is not typical on residential piers. If you operate in the superyacht range, you will want to verify water depth at the seawall, tidal range, dock length and configuration, and the feasibility of adjustments or expansions under current permitting rules.
Seawalls, permits, and upkeep
Most lots rely on seawalls or bulkheads. Their condition can be a major line item, so a seawall inspection and recent maintenance history are essential. Any dock, lift, or seawall work usually requires permits from multiple agencies, including the City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, with possible federal review for in-water work. Environmental protections apply in Biscayne Bay, and speed or wake zones are enforced. Expect a structured process and timelines when planning marine improvements.
How Star Island compares
Fisher Island
Fisher Island is typically more private, thanks to ferry-only access and a resort-club lifestyle with dining and amenity bundles. Housing skews toward luxury condos and residences within a managed environment. If you value isolation and a self-contained experience, Fisher offers that, but you trade the immediate drive-up convenience of Star Island’s causeway location.
Indian Creek
Indian Creek features large estates, a private golf and country club, and a highly controlled perimeter. It attracts buyers who prioritize seclusion and a club environment above all else. Star Island offers a more central location and fast access to South Beach and Brickell, while Indian Creek emphasizes land-side privacy and a private club experience.
Palm, Hibiscus, Venetian, and Sunset Islands
Palm and Hibiscus Islands are also prestigious and close to the city, but generally feature smaller lots and a broader mix of homes. The Venetian and Sunset Islands feel more integrated with Miami Beach day-to-day traffic patterns and typically have more modest lot sizes compared with Star Island’s large parcels. If you want larger estates with a gated entry and a bay-forward lifestyle, Star Island stands apart in this group.
Risks, regulations, and ownership costs
Flood and insurance
Star Island sits in a low-elevation coastal area. Many properties fall within FEMA-designated flood zones such as AE or coastal VE, which can require flood insurance and elevated construction standards. Insurance costs for wind and flood have risen in recent years across South Florida, and underwriting has become more rigorous. You should review elevation certificates, prior claims, and storm damage history early in your process.
Building codes and hurricane readiness
Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach enforce strict wind-load and construction standards. Significant renovations typically trigger robust plan review and adherence to flood and elevation rules. Hurricane hardening for roofing, impact glazing, and critical systems is the norm for high-value properties.
Short-term rentals and use rules
The City of Miami Beach regulates short-term rentals, and many luxury enclaves impose their own lease restrictions. Confirm current municipal ordinances and any island association covenants before assuming rental flexibility. If leasing is part of your strategy, align your plan with those rules.
Taxes and assessments
Luxury homes on Star Island can carry significant annual property tax bills, especially for non-homesteaded owners. Check Miami-Dade assessments, exemptions, and any island-level assessments related to security, roadways, or seawall projects. Understanding recurring costs is crucial for accurate ownership modeling.
Due diligence checklist
Use this list to structure your pre-offer and inspection period work:
- Title and easements: Confirm fee simple ownership and any recorded easements, including waterfront or utility easements.
- Flood profile: Obtain a FEMA flood zone determination and elevation certificate; review any prior flood claims and storm repairs.
- Marine infrastructure: Commission a seawall and dock condition report, including permits, surveys, and, if relevant, bathymetric data for larger vessels.
- Insurance: Secure preliminary quotes for property, wind, and flood from specialized carriers or brokers familiar with coastal estates.
- Association and security: Review island association covenants, bylaws, budgets, special assessments, and security agreements, including visitor procedures.
- Permitting history: Verify permits and final approvals for major renovations, structural changes, lifts, and shoreline work.
- Environmental constraints: Check for seagrass, shading, mooring limits, and any local shoreline projects that may affect your property.
- Rental and use rules: Confirm municipal ordinances and any association restrictions for short-term or seasonal leasing.
- Utilities and capacity: Review dock utility connections, sewer and water capacity, and any special drainage systems.
- Public safety: Review local crime statistics and clarify emergency responder access through the gate.
Who Star Island fits
You want a private estate with a gate-controlled entry, generous land, and mature landscaping. You want your boat out back with direct bay access, and you value a short drive to South Beach, Brickell, or the airport. You understand that high-profile islands draw attention, and you prefer a security-forward environment that keeps the day-to-day calm.
If your lifestyle includes boating, outdoor living, and entertaining, Star Island can be a powerful fit. If your priority is maximum isolation or a private club setting, you might compare it with Indian Creek or Fisher Island. The right choice comes down to how you balance convenience, privacy, and amenity preferences.
Smart next steps
- Walk the island by day and evening to experience traffic, gate operations, and ambient privacy.
- Tour by water to understand sightlines, bay traffic, and vessel maneuverability near your targeted lots.
- Order early insurance quotes for wind and flood and align scope with renovation plans, if any.
- Engage a marine contractor to inspect seawalls, docks, and lift capacity for your vessel size.
- Review association documents, security protocols, and any planned infrastructure assessments.
When you are ready, work with a senior-led team that specializes in Miami Beach waterfront. JCD pairs hands-on broker attention with rigorous due diligence and discreet execution. To discuss opportunities on or off market and build a focused plan, reach out to The Corcoran Group to Schedule a Private Consultation.
FAQs
How private is access to Star Island?
- Star Island has a gated entry at the causeway that limits public traffic. Visitor access is managed, and many homes add privacy through long driveways and landscaping.
Can boats approach from Biscayne Bay and view my property?
- Yes. Portions of docks and rear yards can be visible from the bay. If you want maximum seclusion, evaluate sightlines from the water and plan landscaping or architectural screening.
Can I dock a 100-foot-plus yacht at a Star Island home?
- It depends on the property. Confirm dock length, water depth at the seawall, tidal range, and maneuvering room. Large-vessel utility needs and any dock expansion will require permits.
How long is the drive to South Beach, Brickell, and the airport?
- South Beach is minutes away across the MacArthur Causeway. Downtown and Brickell are typically under 20 minutes depending on traffic. Miami International Airport is often 20 to 30 minutes.
Are short-term rentals allowed on Star Island?
- The City of Miami Beach regulates short-term rentals, and association rules may add restrictions. Verify current ordinances and covenants before pursuing any rental strategy.
What insurance and flood risks should I expect?
- Many properties lie in FEMA AE or coastal VE zones. Flood and wind insurance can be significant, and underwriting is detailed. Review elevation certificates, prior claims, and hurricane hardening early in due diligence.
