If you love the idea of waking up to ocean views but are torn between Singer Island and Palm Beach Shores, you are not alone. Both offer sun, sand, and easy access to Palm Beach’s social and dining scene, yet the day-to-day feel is very different. In this guide, you will see how the vibe, buildings, boating access, prices, and buyer due diligence stack up so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
- Quick compare at a glance
- Lifestyle fit: Singer Island offers a resort tower experience with a wide range of high-rise condos and amenities. Palm Beach Shores feels like a small-town peninsula with a neighborhood pace and easy access to the inlet.
- Boating access: The southern end near Palm Beach Shores puts you close to Sailfish Marina and the Palm Beach Inlet. Singer Island owners also use nearby marinas and some buildings include slips or dock access.
- Price signals: As of January 2026, recent neighborhood snapshots show a median sale around $1.03M on Singer Island and about $1.6M in Palm Beach Shores. Individual buildings, views, and condition create wide variation.
- Travel and access: Both are about a 20 to 30 minute drive to Palm Beach International Airport, roughly 15 miles away.
Neighborhood vibe and beach experience
Singer Island: oceanfront energy
Singer Island lines up long oceanfront condo towers with broad, sandy beaches and a true resort feel. If you want ocean views, pools, fitness centers, and concierge-style living, you will find many options here. Snorkelers and divers love the famous shore diving at the Blue Heron Bridge in Phil Foster Park, which offers an easy-access snorkel trail and abundant marine life. It is a signature lifestyle perk for residents who want the water to be part of their daily routine.
Explore Phil Foster Park and the Blue Heron Bridge snorkel trail.
Palm Beach Shores: small-peninsula pace
Palm Beach Shores sits at the southern tip of the same peninsula and reads more like a compact coastal town. You can stroll to the inlet, watch boats from the seawall, and walk to local restaurants and marina-front spots. The area centers around neighborhood blocks rather than mega-resort frontages, which many full-time residents value for its quieter feel.
For boaters and day-trippers, Sailfish Marina is a local hub for slips, dining, and water taxi departures. Peanut Island is just across the water and popular for snorkeling, picnics, and sandbar days.
- Check marina access and services at Sailfish Marina
- See Peanut Island shuttle and visitor info with Get Wet Watersports
Building styles and amenities
Singer Island: tower variety and resort amenities
Most Singer Island inventory consists of oceanfront towers built from the 1970s through the 2000s. Expect a wide range, from classic high-rises with larger unit counts to branded luxury towers with expansive lobbies, attentive staff, and resort-level amenities. Buildings like Tiara showcase the classic, full-service tower format, while ultra-luxury options such as the Ritz-Carlton Residences bring newer finishes and elevated services. Larger buildings can offer more amenities, but they also tend to have more complex repair histories and HOA budgets, which you will want to review closely.
Palm Beach Shores: mid-rise mix and marina lifestyle
In Palm Beach Shores, you will see a mix of small to mid-rise condos, some older walk-ups, and a few higher-end towers. Amenities often include a pool, basic fitness, and managed landscaping, with the inlet and marinas delivering much of the waterfront lifestyle. Marriott’s Ocean Pointe is a recognizable presence near the inlet, and the surrounding neighborhood blocks reinforce the peninsula’s easygoing feel. If you want a lower-scale building and the ability to walk to the marina or inlet in minutes, this area can be a great fit.
Boating, marinas, and parking
If your perfect day includes a morning run out the inlet, the southern end near Palm Beach Shores puts you steps from slip options, fuel, and water taxi service. Many owners choose to keep larger boats in marinas, even if their condo is farther up Singer Island. If a slip is part of the condo sale, confirm whether it is deeded, assigned, or leased from a separate marina operator. Responsibility for dock and seawall maintenance varies by building and governing documents, so request inspection histories and recent repair costs during due diligence.
Get a feel for local offerings at Sailfish Marina.
Daily life, dining, and access
Singer Island has added new resort dining and wellness-forward options in recent years. A good example is AYRE by Karma at the Amrit Ocean Resort, which adds destination dining right on the ocean. For a wider restaurant and nightlife scene, many residents head over to downtown West Palm Beach or Palm Beach Island.
- See dining at Amrit Ocean Resort
- PBI is about 15 miles away, or roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car. Check the drive time on Travelmath.
Market signals and timing
Recent snapshots show different median sale signals by area. As of January 2026, Singer Island sits around $1.03M while Palm Beach Shores trends higher around $1.6M. Inventory, building age, view corridors, and renovation timelines can push individual units above or below those marks. Both areas also include a luxury tail, with multi-million dollar closings that highlight the two-tier market of everyday condos and trophy residences.
Seasonal shopping is strongest from November through March. If you want the best on-market selection, start early and be prepared to act when the right view line or floor plan appears.
What to ask before you write an offer
Florida’s post-Surfside safety laws and insurance market changes make HOA documents and building history more important than ever. Before you submit an offer, ask your agent and the association to provide the following:
- Milestone inspection status and reports. Florida requires structural milestone inspections for buildings that are three or more habitable stories once they reach specific age thresholds. Review the Phase 1 report and any Phase 2 findings or required repairs. Read the statute overview at the Florida Legislature’s site.
- County compliance and timelines. Palm Beach County tracks milestone reporting and enforcement. Confirm timely filings on the county’s milestone page.
- Structural Integrity Reserve Study and reserve schedules. Make sure you see the SIRS, current reserve balances, and the latest budget. Look for clarity on funding sources and timelines for planned projects.
- Special assessments and permits. Request board minutes for the past 12 months and any notices about planned or pending assessments. Verify open permits and whether work is funded.
- Financing and project eligibility. If you plan to use conventional financing, ask your lender to review the building’s eligibility early, especially for older or non-compliant projects.
- Insurance health. Florida’s insurance environment has shown signs of rate relief, yet buildings with structural or reserve gaps can still see higher premiums or lender scrutiny. Review association insurance declarations and speak with your insurer about building policy deductibles that might be assessed to unit owners. For context on recent changes, see the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s update.
- Flood and wind risk. Obtain the property’s elevation certificate and confirm the FEMA flood zone. Your insurer can quote both NFIP and private options. Use FEMA’s resources to understand map references for Palm Beach County via the FEMA map portal.
- Short-term rental rules. State law includes important preemption language that limits new local restrictions, but condo declarations often control rental rules and can be more restrictive. Review the condo documents and any amendments, and read the state framework in Chapter 509.
- Marina and slip paperwork. If a boat slip is included, confirm deed or assignment details, slip length and depth, and who pays for dock and seawall upkeep.
Which lifestyle fits you?
Choose Palm Beach Shores if you want a compact, neighborhood-scale peninsula with quick inlet access and an easygoing, full-time feel. Choose Singer Island if you want an oceanfront high-rise lifestyle with broader tower selection, resort amenities, and snorkeling at your doorstep. Both keep you close to Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, and both work well for seasonal residents who value short airport drives and a turnkey condo routine.
When you are ready to see specific buildings, floor plates, and reserve positions, reach out for a private, data-forward consult. If a pre-construction release or off-market opportunity matches your brief, we will put it on your radar early.
Ready to find your perfect fit on the peninsula? Schedule a private consultation with Patrick LeTourneau for building-by-building guidance, lender-ready due diligence, and curated tours.
FAQs
Where should I keep a 45-foot boat near these condos?
- The southern end near Palm Beach Shores offers quick access to the inlet and full-service slips at area marinas such as Sailfish Marina. Confirm slip length, depth, and lease or deed terms with the operator.
Which area feels quieter for full-time living?
- Palm Beach Shores has a smaller, neighborhood-scale feel with fewer large resort towers. Singer Island has more tower activity and sees increased visitor traffic in high season.
How can I avoid surprise special assessments when buying a condo?
- Ask for the milestone inspection reports, SIRS, current reserves, and recent board minutes. Buildings with Phase 2 findings or open structural permits require closer review under Florida’s milestone statute and county enforcement.
Are short-term rentals allowed in these areas?
- It depends on the condo. State law includes preemption rules, but each condo’s declaration may restrict rentals. Always review the condo documents first and see Chapter 509 for the state framework.
How far are the condos from PBI and Palm Beach?
- Plan about 20 to 30 minutes to Palm Beach International Airport, roughly 15 miles away, per Travelmath. Downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Island are a short drive across the inlet.
