Neighborhood Guide
Highland Beach
A quiet barrier island town between Boca and Delray — boutique oceanfront condos, low density, and a deeply residential pace.
Overview
Barrier island living at its most unhurried.
Highland Beach is a three-mile strip of barrier island real estate tucked between Boca Raton to the south and Delray Beach to the north. With roughly 4,000 residents and zero commercial development within its borders, it functions as one of the quietest towns on the entire Palm Beach County coastline.
The market here is almost entirely condominiums — oceanfront and Intracoastal buildings that range from mid-century originals to newer luxury towers. It's a strong market for buyers who want direct beach access, low maintenance living, and proximity to both Boca and Delray without committing to either city's pace.
Schools
Highland Beach draws from neighboring districts.
Lifestyle
What draws buyers to Highland Beach.
Private Beach Access
Nearly every condo building in Highland Beach has direct Atlantic access — private beach areas, lounge chairs, and oceanfront pools exclusive to residents.
Intracoastal Living
The west side of Highland Beach fronts the Intracoastal Waterway. Several buildings offer dockage, and the waterway views rival anything in the region.
No Through Traffic
Highland Beach is a dead-end town for all practical purposes — A1A passes through, but there's no commercial draw that brings outside traffic in. Residents notice the quiet immediately.
Between Two Cities
Ten minutes to Atlantic Avenue in Delray, fifteen minutes to Mizner Park in Boca. Highland Beach residents treat both as their backyard without living in either.
A1A Coastal Path
The stretch of A1A through Highland Beach is one of the best walking and cycling corridors on the coast — ocean on one side, Intracoastal on the other.
Low-Density Beach
No hotels, no beach clubs, no day-trippers. The beach in Highland Beach belongs almost entirely to residents — a rarity at this latitude in South Florida.
Buildings to Know
The Highland Beach condo market.
Oceanfront Towers (A1A East)
Buildings like Toscana, Byrd Beach Club, and Boca Highland Beach Club offer direct ocean views, resort amenities, and varying price points from the $500Ks into the multi-millions.
Intracoastal Buildings (A1A West)
Waterway-facing units with dock access and sunset views — often 20–30% less per square foot than ocean-side equivalents. Strong value for boaters.
Mid-Rise vs. High-Rise
Highland Beach has both boutique low-rise buildings (6–8 floors) and taller towers. Mid-rise buildings often have lower HOA fees and a tighter community feel.
Seasonal vs. Year-Round
Many Highland Beach units are seasonally occupied. Buyers looking for year-round neighbors should ask about occupancy patterns — Pat can advise on which buildings skew which way.
Interested in Highland Beach?
Condo buying requires careful attention to HOA financials, rental restrictions, and building condition. Pat walks buyers through every layer before making an offer.