This is Part 3 of Rachel's Merritt Island series — a full driving tour through the southern portions of the island, covering Newfound Harbor, Marker 24, South Tropical Trail, and Dragon Point. If you missed Part 1 (North Merritt Island) or Part 2 (Central Merritt Island), start there. But if South Merritt is your focus, this is your guide.

Newfound Harbor — Rachel's Former Neighborhood

Rachel actually lived in Newfound Harbor when she first moved to Merritt Island, one neighborhood over from the section she's touring here. She loved it — HOA fees as low as $200/year, lots of pool homes and pond-front lots (not direct waterfront, but the calm pond views are genuinely nice), mature landscaping, and easy access to the Walmart right across the street.

The actual Banana River waterfront homes in Newfound Harbor are on the Banana River side. Rachel has sold several of these — they range from $900K to $2.5M+ depending on location. The east side of the harbor (South Banana River Drive) has a quicker, more direct route to the Cape Canaveral Locks for boaters. The west side requires navigating around the tip — not terrible, but longer. Dry lots in this area start in the $300Ks.

Marker 24 Marina

Marker 24 is a community anchor in this area — a marina combined with a small riverfront restaurant serving small bites, beer, and wine (no full cocktail service at time of filming). Gorgeous views, a great weekend hangout, and you can dock your boat right there. A new luxury community adjacent to the marina is under development, with slips and homes starting around $1.2M+. Rachel plans a dedicated video on that project.

The homes along Newfound Harbor and especially toward its tip are stunning — a mix of new construction and older 1960s properties, with some acreage-style lots on the water. Rachel's "ultimate dream home" scenario is something on direct riverfront down at the tip.

Schools in South Merritt Island

  • South Tropical Elementary — A-rated, serves this area
  • Merritt Island Middle School — also in this area
  • Merritt Island High School
  • Edgewood School — a top-rated choice/lottery school, open to all of Brevard County (not just Merritt Island). One of the highest-rated schools in Florida. Rachel knows people who drive from Melbourne to attend. You have to enter the lottery — not guaranteed.

Daily Life Along South Courtenay / South Tropical Trail

Heading south from Newfound Harbor, you'll pass through the core of Merritt Island's commercial strip: Tesla dealership, Chipotle, Walgreens, Papa John's, Publix, Starbucks, Burger King, and Margarita Island — Rachel's favorite Mexican restaurant on the island (great margaritas, great food, you can enter from the outside without going through the mall).

The Merritt Island Square Mall itself is a 1960s institution — "desolate" by Rachel's description, but still functional with Macy's, JC Penney, Dillard's, a Chick-fil-A outside, and a movie theater. Long-time residents remember when it was the place to be. A new Cape Canaveral Hospital is being built directly across from the mall — a significant investment that's expected to bring jobs and revitalize that corridor.

There's also a private airport near Rachel's office — home to a flight school, smaller planes, and commercial services (dentists, dermatologists, etc.).

South Tropical Trail — The Multi-Million Dollar Stretch

As you move further south on South Tropical Trail, the homes get bigger and more expensive. Direct waterfront properties here have to use very long docks due to shallow water near shore. Many docks you see from the road actually belong to homes on the opposite side of the street — a quirk worth understanding before you assume a home has water access.

Pricing: HOA neighborhoods start in the high $400Ks–$500Ks, and the truly premium direct waterfront homes run $2.5M–$4M+. When you reach the middle of South Tropical, you're approximately 20 minutes from groceries and gas in either direction — Merritt Island/Cocoa Beach to the north, Melbourne/Satellite Beach to the south. For some buyers, that's ideal isolation. For others, it's too far from daily life.

Dragon Point

At the very southern tip of Merritt Island sits Dragon Point — where Merritt Island meets the Pineda Causeway. From here, you can head east to Indian Harbour Beach (via a bridge Rachel's husband used for his commute to Patrick Space Force Base) or west into Melbourne. This small area has beautiful, multi-million dollar homes on acreage along the water.

The name comes from "Annie" — a dragon statue built by the original homeowner at the very tip of the point. She was iconic, featured in photos from passing boats, and sadly destroyed in a hurricane. There are hopes for "Annie II" someday, but nothing confirmed.

Rockets and Aerospace

From all of South Merritt Island, rocket launches are a regular part of life — now happening 2-3 times per week. Most are quiet and beautiful. Occasionally a booster return can produce a loud bang at night. A fan while sleeping helps. Most people adapt quickly and come to love it.

Thinking About Moving to Merritt Island?

If you missed the central section, see Central Merritt Island neighborhoods.

We're Rachel Langley and Nichole Barna, Florida REALTORS® based in Brevard County. Rachel lives on Merritt Island — she knows every neighborhood, price point, and water access consideration personally.

We're available days, nights, and weekends — because a move this big doesn't wait for business hours.

Rachel Langley and Nichole Barna, REALTORS at Blue Marlin Real Estate

Merritt Island move?

Merritt Island is unlike any other Brevard town. Talk to someone who has actually lived it.

Nichole Barna is a Brevard County native and Rachel relocated to the Space Coast in 2022. We are your team at Blue Marlin Real Estate. We know the canal streets, the river access lots, the storm history, and the lots that go fast versus the ones that sit.

Space Coast Relocation Checklist

A printable buyer briefing on Brevard County life, including Merritt Island specifics on insurance, flood, evacuation, and what to budget beyond the sticker price.

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Talk to Us About Your Merritt Island Move

A thirty minute call with Rachel and Nichole. No script, no pressure. Tell us your timeline, your budget, and what you actually want. We will tell you what we would do.

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Beware

Call us BEFORE you walk into a model home or open house.

The sales rep works for the builder, not for you. Builders let you have your own agent, but you HAVE to name us on your first visit. Walk in without us and you can lose the right to bring us in on that purchase.

Text us at 321-212-7676 first. We meet you there. You still get the new construction. You also get two REALTORS who negotiate pricing, contract terms, inspections, and repairs every week.

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