Craving ocean views without the bustle of a mega-resort strip? In Palm Beach Shores, you get a cozy, boutique beach town where morning walks to the shoreline, the marina, and casual spots for lunch feel effortless. If you want oceanfront condo living with a relaxed pace and real neighborhood feel, this corner of Singer Island delivers. In this guide, you’ll learn how the condo market here works, what daily life looks like, and the key checks to make before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Why Palm Beach Shores stands out
Palm Beach Shores sits at the southern tip of Singer Island, framed by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Intracoastal to the west, and the Lake Worth Inlet to the south. The town is compact and proudly leans into a small-town identity, with a land area of just a few tenths of a square mile and roughly 1,330 residents. You feel close to the water on all sides, yet the vibe stays low-key and neighborly rather than crowded or commercial. For a quick primer on location and history, see the town’s own snapshot of its past and present.
The condo lifestyle on the ocean
Building styles and layouts
Inventory here spans mid-century low-rise and mid-rise buildings alongside boutique oceanfront developments with larger terraces and fewer residences per floor. You’ll find everything from 1-bedroom vacation-style units to multi-bedroom direct-ocean residences that live like a home. Many buildings showcase generous balconies, floor-to-ceiling glass in main living areas, and layouts oriented to sunrise views. The overall feel is intimate and residential rather than a long wall of towers.
Amenities you can expect
Common features include oceanfront pools, private or semi-private beach walkovers, covered parking, and small fitness rooms. Some buildings offer in-unit laundry, while others provide on-site facilities. What most listings emphasize are the essentials of beachfront living: short strolls to the sand, terraces for outdoor dining, and easy access to the marina and local dining.
What it costs: price ranges and market notes
In Palm Beach Shores, prices vary widely by building, size, view, and renovation level. Recent snapshots suggest a broad range from the mid-six figures for smaller or older units to multiple millions for large, direct-ocean residences and penthouses. Because the town is small, monthly sales counts are limited, which makes short-term price swings common. The smartest move is to use real-time comps and building-specific data before you set expectations or write an offer.
Pro tip: Ask your advisor to pull recent trades in your target stack and line, plus pending sales. In boutique buildings, small differences in floor, exposure, and terrace size can create meaningful price gaps.
Walkability, beaches, and day-to-day living
Walk to dining and the marina
Palm Beach Shores is a walk-first beach town. Walk Score rates it as somewhat walkable, which matches what you feel on the ground: you can walk to the beach, the marina, and a cluster of casual restaurants, but you’ll often drive a few minutes for larger grocery runs. The south end of Singer Island concentrates beachfront dining and small retail, so grabbing coffee after a morning beach walk is easy.
Beach access and town services
Most oceanfront condos offer direct beach access or a very short walk to the sand. The town manages local parking and visitor services, and policies can change with the season. For current information on permits and coastal safety, check the town’s official site and the dedicated flood facts and FEMA map links before you buy.
Boating, snorkeling, and outdoor fun
This area is a favorite for boaters and water lovers. The nearby Lake Worth Inlet provides quick access to the Atlantic, and local marinas offer slips, water taxis, and charter options. For snorkeling and diving, Phil Foster Park’s Blue Heron Bridge is a nationally known shore dive site with calm water and abundant marine life. You can also hop a shuttle to Peanut Island Park for a day on sandy coves, paddleboarding, and easy snorkeling in clear, tidal water.
What to check before you buy
Flood and insurance basics
Palm Beach Shores lies in a coastal environment where flood and storm planning is part of smart ownership. The town notes Category 2 hurricane evacuation protocols and provides FIRM map resources for property-level review. Start with the town’s Flood Facts page, confirm elevation and flood zones for the specific unit, and budget for flood insurance, which typically has a 30-day waiting period to take effect.
HOA health and reserves
Association strength matters in coastal buildings. Request the declaration, bylaws, budget, most recent reserve study, and 12 to 36 months of meeting minutes. Look for adequate reserves and a clear plan for capital projects. For a quick primer on reserve funding and why it affects dues and assessments, review this overview of Florida condo reserves.
Building inspections and recertification
For older mid-rise buildings, ask for structural milestone or recertification reports, plus documentation of recent concrete, roof, balcony, or seawall work. Many associations have completed engineering reviews under updated state rules. If you want a plain-English overview, this guide to milestone recertification is a helpful starting point before you dig into building-specific reports with your inspector and attorney.
Rentals, parking, and policies
If rental income is part of your strategy, verify what the building allows and what the town requires. Palm Beach Shores provides an “Apply for Vacation Rental” process through its building department; start with the town’s building department forms to understand permitting. Parking can be tight near the beach, so confirm the number of deeded or assigned spaces, guest parking rules, and any waitlists.
Financing and resale
In smaller condo communities, lenders often have building eligibility standards tied to owner-occupancy ratios, reserves, and insurance. Discuss financing early so you know which loan programs are available for your target building. Liquidity in boutique markets can ebb and flow by season and price point, so plan a resale timeline that accounts for market depth.
Is Palm Beach Shores right for you?
Choose Palm Beach Shores if you want easy beach days, boating at your doorstep, and a friendly town that feels more residential than resort. The scale is intimate, the water access is excellent, and daily life centers around the ocean. If you prefer extensive luxury retail or nightlife within a block or two, you may find yourself driving into Palm Beach or West Palm for those moments. For many buyers, that trade-off is exactly the point.
Ready to explore oceanfront condos on Singer Island with a local, condo-focused advisor who knows the buildings, boards, and beach blocks? Schedule a private consultation with Patrick LeTourneau to map the right options and navigate a smooth, detail-perfect purchase.
FAQs
Is Palm Beach Shores walkable to the beach and restaurants?
- Many oceanfront buildings are a short walk to the sand, the marina, and casual dining; larger shopping trips typically require a quick drive to the mainland.
What are typical condo amenities in Palm Beach Shores?
- You often see oceanfront pools, beach walkovers, covered parking, small fitness rooms, and private terraces, with specifics varying by building.
How much do oceanfront condos cost in Palm Beach Shores?
- Prices often range from the mid-six figures for smaller or older units to multiple millions for large, direct-ocean residences, with notable swings due to limited monthly sales.
Where can I snorkel or boat nearby?
- Phil Foster Park’s Blue Heron Bridge offers renowned shore snorkeling, and Peanut Island is an easy day trip by shuttle or private boat, with calm coves and clear water.
What are the biggest risks when buying a coastal condo here?
- Flood and storm exposure, insurance cost and deductibles, and association reserve or assessment risk are top considerations; review flood maps, insurance certificates, reserves, and recent minutes.
Can I rent my Palm Beach Shores condo short term?
- It depends on both the building’s rules and the town’s permitting; confirm association restrictions and start with the town’s building department forms for vacation rental guidelines.
