Sunset Bay
192 units on the Indian River at 225 South Tropical Trail. The lowest entry price of any waterfront address on Merritt Island, and the one with the most complicated ownership picture, which nobody explains before you tour.
Sunset Bay, Merritt Island
Sunset Bay is the most misunderstood address on Merritt Island and it is worth being precise about why.
It is legally a condominium. "Sunset Bay, A Condominium" is the recorded name, units are individually deeded, and they sell on the open market through the MLS. Recent listings have run roughly $135,000 to $152,000, which is the lowest entry point to waterfront living anywhere on this island.
It is also marketed as Sunset Bay Apartments. The same building, same address, appears on apartment listing sites as a 192 unit rental community. Individual condo owners also rent their units directly, with a three month minimum. So the building has a genuine dual character: deeded units that sell, alongside a substantial rental operation.
That is not a problem in itself, but it is something you need to know going in. A high rental share affects financing on some loan products, it affects the feel of the building, and it affects resale. Any lender will ask about owner-occupancy ratio. We get that number before you commit rather than after your loan officer surfaces it.
What you get in exchange is genuine Indian River frontage, a real amenity set, and a price point that does not exist anywhere else on the water here.
Sunset Bay At A Glance
This building has a dual for-sale and rental character, so figures vary by source and by which side of the operation is reporting. Below is what we could confirm, including the parts that conflict.
| Detail | What we can confirm |
|---|---|
| Address | 225 S Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32952, South Merritt Island |
| Ownership type | Legally a condominium with individually deeded units that sell on the MLS. The same building is also marketed as Sunset Bay Apartments, and individual owners rent units directly. Treat it as genuinely mixed. |
| Year built | 1986 |
| Total units | 192, across 3 storeys |
| Unit sizes | Roughly 424 to 1,218 square feet across sources. One confirmed unit at 1,069 square feet. |
| Bedrooms | 1 bedroom / 1 bath and 2 bedroom / 2 bath configurations confirmed |
| Waterfront | Indian River. Confirmed river views on listed units. |
| Gated | Reported as a gated property by one source. Not independently confirmed. |
| Condo fee | Reported around $450 per month from a single source. One listing confirms the fee includes internet, with the owner responsible for cable, electricity, hot water, sewer and trash. We confirm the current amount before you offer. |
| Minimum lease | 3 months |
| Pet policy | Conflicting across sources and by unit. One general community guideline reports up to two cats or dogs, one rental listing says no pets, another allows pets with a deposit. There is no single universal policy we can publish. |
| Recent for-sale range | Roughly $135,000 to $152,000 on active listings |
| The thing to check | Owner-occupancy ratio. On a building with a large rental component this affects financing on some loan products. Ask before you get attached. |
Sunset Bay Amenities
Riverside Pool And Hot Tub
On the Indian River side of the property.
Private Pier And Dock
Community dock on the river.
Kayak Launch
Launch area for paddle craft.
Tennis Court
On-site court.
Exercise Room
Fitness facility on the property.
Clubhouse With Wi-Fi
Community room available to residents.
Boat And Bike Storage
Storage for both, which is unusual at this price point.
Car Wash Area
Free on-site car wash, genuinely useful on a barrier island.
Sunset Bay Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunset Bay condos or apartments?
Both, and that is the honest answer. It is legally a condominium with individually deeded units that sell on the MLS, and the same building is also marketed as Sunset Bay Apartments as a rental operation. Individual owners rent their units too. Anyone telling you it is purely one or the other has not looked closely.
Can you buy a unit at Sunset Bay?
Yes. Units are individually deeded and sell on the open market, with recent listings roughly $135,000 to $152,000.
Why does the rental component matter if I am buying?
Owner-occupancy ratio affects financing on some loan products, and lenders will ask. It also affects the feel of the building and future resale. We get the current ratio before you go under contract rather than letting your loan officer discover it.
What are the condo fees at Sunset Bay?
Reported around $450 per month from a single source. One listing confirms the fee includes internet, with the owner responsible for cable, electricity, hot water, sewer and trash. We confirm the current figure directly before you offer.
Is Sunset Bay on the water?
Yes, on the Indian River, with confirmed river views on listed units, a private pier and a kayak launch.
What is the minimum lease at Sunset Bay?
Three months.
Does Sunset Bay allow pets?
Sources conflict and it appears to vary by unit and owner. One community guideline reports up to two cats or dogs, one rental listing says no pets, another allows them with a deposit. We confirm for the specific unit rather than publish a policy that may not apply.
Why is Sunset Bay so much cheaper than other waterfront here?
A 1986 build, smaller unit sizes starting around 424 square feet, and a substantial rental component all contribute. It is genuinely the lowest-cost route to Indian River frontage on Merritt Island, and the tradeoffs are the reasons why.
Considering Sunset Bay?
This is the cheapest way onto the water on Merritt Island and the building most likely to surprise you at the financing stage. We will get you the owner-occupancy ratio, the real fee and the current rules before you write anything.
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