Explore the Nation’s Best Boating Communities
What can beat the feeling of the wind blowing past you as you’re out on the water? The crisp, cool air and that feeling of serenity are hard to surpass. That’s why boaters can hardly be kept out of their boats for long. Read on for more on boat communities, why people love them, and the benefits they see in living in a boating community.
Why choose a boating community?
Beautiful views and plenty of activity are a major draw for those living in boating communities. If you’re a boater, though, you know there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to boating benefits.
- Beautiful views: Peer out the kitchen window and see the sparkling glassy water out waiting for you? That can be your everyday view when you’re in a boating community.
- High home value: When you’re near a marina or dock, it’s hard for your home to lose value, many residents in boating communities love this aspect of home buying.
- Amenities: That’s right...you can have a boat without having to maintain a boat or dock. In a boating community, that’s half the draw. But if you do have your own and want to keep it that way, there are plenty of options for you too.
- Fishing: If you’re in a boating community, it’s common to go fishing whenever you please, and you’ll always have a friend to accompany you.
- Active and healthy lifestyle: If you’re out on the water, many love to canoe or kayak or paddleboard. Because you’re near the coast, many live an active and healthy lifestyle.
What are the benefits of living in a boating community?
If you’re an avid boater, you know why you love life on the water: the fresh air, the fishing, the coastal breeze... what’s not to love? If you’re newer to the boating life, here are several reasons boaters stay on the water for life.
Ready to take the boat out for a spin?
Sailing or fishing, speed boating or canoeing, there are so many water-friendly communities to explore across the U.S. Check out the many options below to get a feel for the best of what’s out there. With rivers, lakes, and oceanfront boating communities, all you need to do is choose the option that’s right for you.
If you see a few boating communities that interest you, use the information request form to contact a local expert in each community. You can inquire for more information, find details on the destination, and get a feel for the unique boating lifestyle there. You can even inquire about specifics like HOA fees, the neighborhood social scene, or the home prices in the area.
If you’re seeking a certain boating location, try using the filtering options on the left to narrow down your options and find the destination with the water access you’re craving.
Research and Explore the Best Boating Communities
Search Filters:
Click to explore the following boating communities. Request information from multiple communities by selecting the checkboxes to the right and completing the form below.
Hot Springs Village
Hot Springs Village spans 26,000 acres of the Ouachita Mountain foothills. The largest private, gated community in North America boasts amenities for both adventure and leisure including pickle ball courts, tennis center, and 9 year-round, championship golf courses. Lake-life is also delightful with 11 lakes and 2 beaches for swimming, boating, skiing, kayaking, and relaxing! The Coronado Fitness Center, spa, indoor pool, and 30 miles of scenic hiking and biking nature trails are other HSV “hot” spots. Multiple dining, churches, and over 200 active organizations are perfect for social opportunities. The HSV Police, Fire, and EMT Departments along with two manned security gates provide residents peace of mind! HSV is centrally located and only a 20 minute drive to historic Hot Springs, an hour to Little Rock, and a day trip to many surrounding parks and attractions! Hot Springs Village offers a large variety of home styles. New construction and custom designed home packages are also available– all including your choice of lake or golf front, mountain view, or just nestled in the woods. Come enjoy the affordable HSV good life; the longer you stay, the more you’re going to love us! Photos by Zac Franklin.
Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head
**Ask how you can save Up to $12,000 for a limited time…**
Your Latitude! You’ve earned a life where every day feels like an escape. Find your paradise at Latitude Margaritaville, the 55-and-better lifestyle where fun and relaxation meet.
Inspired by the legendary music and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett, this is where life rolls easy, neighbors are friends and the party never ends. Awesome recreation, FINtastic dining and entertainment will make the town center the place to be and just a golf cart ride away. Masterfully crafted new Latitude homes let you hang your hat where your heart is.
Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head is located on Highway 278, 2.5 miles east of I-95 in the city of Hardeeville, South Carolina – the scenic gateway to world-famous Hilton Head Island. The area is steeped in natural beauty, with an abundance of golf courses, pristine beaches and waterways for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Nearby are the historic cities of Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC filled with museums, cultural arts, shopping and dining.
ACCOLADE of Topsail Island, NC
Nestled along North Carolina’s intracostal waterway, ACCOLADE is the highly sought-after, ALH’s signature master-planned coastal community, occupying a prime coastal Topsail Island location. Mature live oaks with Spanish moss tower throughout the sensitively developed resort-style community unmatched on the island. Dockable soundfront lots and ocean view lots along the expansive Topsail Sound make ACCOLADE quite simply the coastal south’s location and lifestyle you’ve been looking for. On Saturday, April 6th (rain or shine), motivated buyers will have the opportunity to purchase their dream intracoastal waterway (ICW) dockable soundfront or ocean view lot.
Top-notch island amenities will feature private outdoor living nooks throughout the coastal Carolina community, including a resort-style pool featuring a beach entry, waterfall, tanning ledge, and in-water seating. The open-air covered pool cabana includes full amenity conveniences, including restrooms and a full outdoor grilling kitchen with refrigerator and ice machine. The double-sided fireplace will feature cozy and comfortable pool seating on the interior and exterior of the cabana for quality time spent with friends and family.
- Dockable Soundfront Lots with Expansive ICW Views
- Ocean View Lots
- Convenient Beach Access
- Resort-Style Pool featuring Beach Entry, Waterfall, Tanning Ledge & In-Water Seating
- Open-Air Covered Pool Cabana with Full Amenity Conveniences, including Double-Sided Fireplace, Restrooms, and a Full Outdoor Grilling Kitchen with Refrigerator & Ice Machine
Conveniently located equidistant between Topsail Beach and Surf City, ACCOLADE is also perfectly situated within walking distance of two beach access locations. Living on Topsail Island offers a rural beach feel while still offering a variety of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, microbreweries, and bars. It’s the ideal spot to make the move to island life with the local community infrastructure that will suit you and your family’s lifestyle. Mouthwatering local seafood, full beach activities, a mild climate, and overall quality of living that’s second to none – ACCOLADE is a must see for beach lovers. With a limited number of prime dockable soundfront and ocean view lots available in the high demand Topsail beachfront market, we recommend booking your priority reservation for the April 6th Lot Sale (rain or shine).
Lakewood Ranch
Live the Florida lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of—with 30+ villages, each featuring distinctive homes, amenities, and features, Lakewood Ranch is designed to support every aspect of your life. New homes include townhomes, condos, attached villas, single-family homes and estates, with prices from the $300s to over $1 million.
We set out to build a community that is more than just the homes it’s made up of. Here, you’ll find all the shopping, dining, entertainment, education, healthcare, nature, and recreational options you could want to make the most out of every day. And the best part is that it’s all already here. You don’t have to envision it—you can simply start living it.
Our 48% open space plan and mixed-use component work together to provide each village on The Ranch with easy access to parks, trails, and recreational opportunities like three town centers, a sports campus featuring pickleball, Sarasota Polo Club, and The Farmers’ Market.
Just beyond our backyard you can enjoy Sarasota’s white sand beaches and arts scene, Tampa’s sports teams, and quick access to four airports.
ideal-LIVING has named Lakewood Ranch Best Health and Fitness Community and Best Golf Community. Lakewood Ranch has also earned the spot as the #1 multi-generational best-selling master-planned community since 2018.
Come explore Florida’s favorite place to call home. LakewoodRanch.com
What to expect at The Ranch:
• 30+ villages, 2 are 55+
• 3 town centers & 8 neighborhood shopping plazas with Publix Grocery stores
• 150 miles of multi-surface trails
• 10,000+ acres of lakes, parks, and preserves
• 60+ clubs and groups
• Over 200 shops and eateries
• 13 community parks
• 192 holes of golf
• 32 courts for racquet sports
• A-rated schools & higher education campuses
• Sarasota Polo Club
• Farmers’ Market voted #1 in Florida
• Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club
• 22 fields at Premier Sports Campus
• Sights and Sounds Performing and Fine Arts Series
Ready to discover it? Great. Request more information below to receive discovery tour packages
and specials. You won’t know until you go!
Dataw Island
There is a place off the South Carolina coast, near the charming town of Beaufort, where nature and luxury share center stage. Shaped by the Intracoastal Waterway and a rich Southern history, the SC gated golf community of Dataw Island is a pristine parcel of 870 acres waiting to be discovered.
The Dataw Island Club is the perfect choice for you. Golf and Social memberships are available for island residents. If you live in the area and are interested in joining the club. For membership information, call (843) 838-3838.
- “Top 100 Amenity Communities” – ideal-LIVING Magazine
- “Best in Value Golf Community” – Links Magazine
- “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” – The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
Their two championship golf courses, by Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills, wind their way through stunning Lowcountry landscape, complete with historic ruins, moss-draped oaks, and tidal marsh. Complemented by an array of sports amenities (Tennis, Pickleball, Croquet, Bocce) and social clubs too numerous to mention (arts clubs, yoga and fitness, special interest groups), members of Dataw Island find their days full of friendship, philanthropy, and fun!
Dataw Island is a luxurious and private residential golf community nestled in an unrivaled South Carolina landscape. Within the gates, there is 24-hour security. There’s vibrancy there, a constant bustle of activity that reflects the area’s rich wildlife and Dataw’s collaborative culture. Residents can walk, bike or travel by golf cart to social gatherings, functions and meetings.
From deepwater slips that lead to blue waters to the manicured golf courses named for legends; from an indoor lap pool to a whirlpool spa; from tennis lessons to Spanish lessons, Dataw Island is humming with leisure. Start the day sunny side up in your Lowcountry residence. Uncover cozy, shaded nooks perfect for soaking in the coastal breeze. Join neighbors for a Yacht Club meeting or challenge friends to a game of croquet on the lawn. From a calendar of social events to thoughtful gathering spots woven throughout, Dataw Island’s connected community is inspired by you.
The Governors Land at Two Rivers
Beautifully built on 1,400+ acres nestled between the majestic James and Chickahominy Rivers, The Governor’s Land at Two Rivers is a private, member-owned country club community of distinction where new neighbors become family and peace of mind is a priority. Discover an immediate sense of serenity in our pleasantly spacious, hidden gem of a neighborhood that embodies the charm of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Enjoy membership at Two Rivers Country Club, home to our top-rated Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, first-class dining, a full calendar of social events and our deepwater, protected Marina.
The Governor’s Land at Two Rivers is a natural haven where our diverse community of families and retirees have discovered an undeniable allure and wish to preserve our place of beauty and tranquility. Easily access the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown and the College of William & Mary.
Schedule your Discovery Visit and experience our lively, welcoming, one-of-a-kind community in Williamsburg Virginia, consistently awarded as one of the best places to live by USA Today, Southern Living, Travel & Leisure and more!
Grande Dunes
Discover Grande Dunes, an expansive 2,200-acre master-planned community providing a distinctive coastal lifestyle to over 1,000 families. Nestled along the scenic Grand Strand, Grande Dunes showcases a diverse array of over 5,000 homes, villas, retail venues, and commercial spaces, spanning from the serene shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the tranquil expanses west of the Intracoastal Waterway, and from Water Tower Road to Grissom Parkway.
Enriching the Grande Dunes experience are many exclusive club amenities. Play at your leisure at the pristine courses at The Resort Club and The Members Club. Relax at the newly-renovated Ocean Club and its inviting pool complex overlooking the Atlantic, or perfect your serve at the Grande Dunes Tennis Center. Nearby, the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA offers additional recreational opportunities. On the shimmering waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Marina at Grande Dunes boasts 126 wet slips.
From stylish villas and spacious townhomes to luxurious single-family residences, these thoughtfully designed communities provide a blend of comfort, convenience, and coastal charm. Explore beautifully crafted homes with modern features, scenic surroundings, and access to outstanding amenities. Stay tuned for exciting new opportunities and additions!
In the heart of Myrtle Beach, Grande Dunes embodies the essence of coastal living amidst a backdrop of many golf courses, upscale shopping destinations, and vibrant entertainment venues. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance retreat or an elegant residence with ample space, there’s a perfect home waiting for you. Embark on your journey with us today by requesting more information.
St. James Properties
St. James Plantation, located along Southeastern North Carolina’s Intracoastal Waterway near the charming towns of Southport and historic Wilmington, remains one of the most desirable communities in the region. The community boasts over $100 million in top-tier amenities, including a private oceanfront beach club, a 475-slip marina with dry stack options, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, including the Signature Wellness Center, four welcoming clubhouses, and 81 holes of championship golf. Residents can also enjoy 36+ miles of biking and walking routes, five dining options, Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball, parks, community gardens, and over 100 social clubs.
With a mild Carolina climate offering four distinct seasons, the area is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring nearby antique shops, boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and historical landmarks dating back to the 1700s. Additionally, the region is home to well-equipped adult educational institutions and first-class medical centers. Real estate options in St. James include spacious custom homes, new cottage homes, and condominiums, with single-family homes ranging from the $600,000s to over $1 million, and homesites starting in the $200,000s.
Plan your visit right now! Call 800-245-3871 or visit our website: www.StJames-Properties.com.
Albemarle Plantation
Albemarle Plantation
On North Carolina’s Inner Banks
In the private, gated sound front community of Albemarle Plantation, the waterfront lifestyle abounds. Set on the pristine waters of North Carolina’s sparkling Inner Banks, Albemarle Plantation is the perfect blend of nature, big water, resort amenities, and beautiful homes.
The community is known for its vast waters, 166-slip Private Marina, acclaimed golf, and nature-centric lifestyle. Walking and biking trails ribbon past nature sanctuaries and waterways. Raised boardwalks wind along, perfect for a stroll to the marina. On the waterfront, Marina Park with its great views and manicured lawn is the ideal gathering place for friends and is home to many a community event. The grand, waterfront Clubhouse offers indoor and outdoor dining with incredible water and fairway views. Near the marina, Dockside Café offers outdoor dining and is home to the Albemarle Wine Shop.
Residents also enjoy daily amenities like a fully outfitted fitness center, resort-style Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, bocce courts, gathering and activity spaces and even community garden plots. Winding through the community is the award-winning Dan Maples-designed golf course. Widely acclaimed, it offers world-class play for golfers of all levels and provides breathtaking views. Here, you can enjoy every amenity you would expect from a private waterfront community—plus, all amenities are complete and owned debt free by the Property Owner’s Association.
With a focus on nature’s beauty, Albemarle Plantation is a scenic and welcoming place to build the home of your dreams, too. With a large selection of home plans and a trusted group of preferred builders, creating your retreat at Albemarle can be easy and exciting. Living here offers a perfect balance: residents are wonderfully tucked away from the hustle and bustle of metro areas yet have easy access to Tidewater Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. At Albemarle, you can savor the small-town waterfront charm of Edenton and Hertford, and quickly access big city luxuries with Virginia Beach and Norfolk only about an hour north.
Whether setting out by boat to explore the Sound and nearby small towns, kayaking, going fishing with friends on the protected waters of the Sound or in the Intracoastal Waterway, jet skiing, sailboat racing, or just watching the sun go down over the water…living at Albemarle Plantation is a soul-stirring experience.
Homes from the $400,000.
Homesites from $30,000
Eastman Community Association
Eastman Community Association – Four Seasons Paradise
The Eastman Community Association in Grantham, NH is an ideal active-adult and retirement destination. It’s also the perfect place to raise a family. Eastman is a sustainable, intergenerational community in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region of New Hampshire.
Ultimately, Eastman is a nature-lover’s haven. Tucked away in the pristine woodlands of New Hampshire’s Upper Connecticut River Valley, the Eastman Community Association encourages an active and connected lifestyle. Residents move to the rhythm of four distinct seasons. And, outdoor adventure is a central theme.
Eastman is centrally located, but just remote enough. It’s conveniently two hours north of Boston and three hours from Hartford. And, Lake Sunapee, New London, and Lebanon are just minutes away. As a result, residents have ample access to urban amenities. Cultural venues, medical facilities, as well as educational opportunities are all within reach.
New Hampshire’s Grantham Mountain offers a picturesque backdrop to Eastman’s 345-acre lake, and ample hiking trails. So, be sure to pack your boots!
Looking for more? Try 37 miles of cross country trails starting at the Eastman Cross Country Center. In summer, head to one of six beaches, kayak and canoe launches, or to the pool and fitness center year round. Eastman also boasts an 18-hole golf course, har-tru tennis courts and an award-winning restaurant as well.
All properties in Eastman are privately owned and include condos, single-family homes and undeveloped lots.
Kingbird
Introducing Kingbird, a groundbreaking community nestled in Rocky Point, NC. This first-of-its-kind gated community offers a lifestyle unlike any other on the East Coast. Own 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50+ acres to craft your legacy on private, expansive parcels of land. Kingbird invites visionary individuals and families to embrace a lifestyle defined by freedom, solitude, and limitless potential, all within minutes of Wilmington’s vibrant culture and the serene Carolina coast.
Kingbird redefines the essence of large acre living by blending autonomy, community, and prime location. Here, you can shape your future—whether it’s a family estate, an outdoor sanctuary, or a corporate retreat facility. At Kingbird, owning land is more than just owning property; it’s about investing in a community that celebrates individuality and builds foundations for generations to come.
“Kingbird is more than just a place to live; it’s the ability to have your land, your way,large-acre as the backdrop for a lifestyle based on autonomy and freedom. It’s a sanctuary where residents can build, create, and thrive on their own terms,” said Kevin Smith, Kingbird Developer. “Our vision is to foster a community where neighbors and privacy coexist seamlessly, offering an unmatched living experience in an unbeatable location.”
Features of Kingbird Include:
- Expansive, Customizable Parcels: From 10 acres to 100+ acres, your land becomes a canvas for your vision.
- Prime Location: Close to Wilmington’s beaches, attractions, and international travel hubs.
- A Unique Lifestyle: Build a life of freedom, privacy, and connection, underpinned by the values of the Kingbird Creed.
Kingbird invites you to take the first step toward a life that embodies true freedom and individuality. Stake your claim in a community that believes in living boldly and building legacies that endure. Visit https://livekingbirdnc.com to learn more, request more information, and start turning your vision into reality.
Sun City Hilton Head
Welcome to Sun City Hilton Head, one of the top rated 55+ active adult communities in the US! Sun City has so much to offer and a perfect location in beautiful Bluffton, SC with its historic Old Town and pristine May River. It is a short 30 minute drive to the famous Hilton Head beaches and Savannah, GA’s bustling river street. Within the gated community is 3 golf courses and several restaurants. Use your golf cart or bicycle to make your way to the numerous amenities including multiple resort-style pools, 3 fitness centers, performing arts theater, community center, sports complex, pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce, woodshop, leisure trails, dog park, and much more. Sun City has over 100 chartered clubs and special interest groups to help everyone connect with others. This spectacular community offers a variety of home plans from 1,223 square feet to 3,728 square feet. Come see all the possibilities waiting here for you today at Sun City Hilton Head!
Retire Tennessee Program Communities
Whether you’re ready for full-time retirement or want to relocate to a better place, Tennessee is a state that deserves your attention.
Consider these facts before deciding on another location: Tennessee collects no state tax on income or other retirement-plan benefits and no sales tax on prescription drugs. Property taxes in Tennessee are very reasonable, especially with available exemptions for retirees and age 65+ residents, resulting in the second-lowest overall state and local tax burden per capita in the nation. And Tennessee offers the eighth-lowest cost of living in the U.S.—more than 10% below the national average.
The Retire Tennessee program is a state government initiative designed to spread the word about all of the great reasons for retiring or relocating to the Volunteer State. From the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the banks of the Mississippi River in the west, a total of 19 urban and rural counties in the program highlight the unique natural attractions and cultural amenities that each has to offer.
Tennessee has more than 60 state and national parks with some of America’s finest freshwater fishing lakes and hiking destinations that range from the 210-mile Cumberland Trail to Chattanooga’s 16-mile Riverwalk. The delightful four-season climate means that you can enjoy a round of golf or a kayak excursion any week of the year. And the world-famous Tennessee music scene includes Beale Street blues in Memphis, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and bluegrass festivals in charming mountain towns like Kingsport and Cookeville.
Request more information below and let the Retire Tennessee program introduce you to the next great adventure in your life.
Tellico Village
Tellico Village is Eastern Tennessee’s premier active-adult community for retirees and remote workers of any age who want to enjoy the region’s finest collection of resort-style amenities.
Set on 4,800 acres around Tellico Lake in the Great Smoky Mountain foothills, Tellico Village is an outdoor recreation paradise. Three lakeside golf courses host a year-round schedule of league events, plus pro and amateur championships. The Tellico Village Yacht Club, one of three community marinas, offers complete boating services and lakefront dining. Fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis/pickleball courts, and 50+ miles of local hiking trails give residents a choice of healthy activities every day of the week. The 200+ Tellico Village social clubs and volunteer organizations make it easy for neighbors to become friends. At the same time, the on-site Summit Medical Center offers convenient primary care and physical-therapy services.
More than 2,300 buildable lots and waterfront homesites are available at Tellico Village. An impressive roster of 15 local builders offers a fantastic variety of floor plans with customizable options to create the new home of your dreams. There are also a number of existing homes on the market at any given time, plus rentals available for a week to a year while you check out all of the choices.
Located just 31 miles from Knoxville, Tellico Village residents are just a short drive away from the region’s finest night-life venues, cultural events, shopping centers, and top-rated health care facilities.
Request more information below, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying the good life at Tellico Village.
Lake Tansi Village Resort
Lake Tansi Village is located just south of the city of Crossville, Tennessee, on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau. This community has so much to offer.
18 Hole Championship Golf Course – Voted #1 course on the Plateau
2 Swimming Pools (Includes 1 indoor pool)
Lakefront Beach and Boardwalk
Fishing Pier
Full-Service Seasonal Marina
Bike & Walking Trail
Recreation Center
Dances – Game Room – Ping-Pong – Miniature Golf – Tennis – Basketball – Horseshoes – Volleyball – Shuffleboard
Country Club Restaurant and Lounge
19th Hole Snack Bar
Arts & Crafts Department
Various Clubs
Three additional excellent fishing lakes
Lake Tansi Village is home to around 4,000 residents. Lake Tansi is the largest man-made lake on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau and residents enjoy fishing, swimming, waterskiing, plus the 18-hole championship golf course that is rated in the top 10 courses in Tennessee by Golf Advisor.
TNVacation.com/Retire TN calls Lake Tansi Village “one of the most affordable community villages in the country” and with its many activities, long list of amenities and low annual home owners fees it’s also one of the most enjoyable places to live.
Plan your visit
Grab your hat and sandals—the boat’s ready to hit the water! Search and learn more about boating communities to live in below. When you’ve selected some areas that look appealing, plan your visit. It’ll help you narrow down your search to get out on the docks and feel the breeze out on the water of your potential new home.