Living in Florida's Space Coast
Waterfront Realtor in Merritt Island, FL
Merritt Island is the largest concentration of waterfront housing in Brevard County. The Indian River runs the west side, the Banana River the east, and Sykes Creek and Newfound Harbor cut through the middle. Buying here is a different transaction from buying inland: the dock, the seawall, the flood zone and the bridge clearances between you and open water all become part of the purchase, and most of them are not on the listing sheet.
Bridge Clearance Is Not A Marketing Line
What Is Actually Documented
The route from the rivers to the Atlantic runs the Canaveral Barge Canal, about eight miles from the Intracoastal to the inlet with a project depth around eleven and a half feet, then the Canaveral Lock, which is free, takes twenty to thirty minutes and handles drafts to twelve feet.
The Bridges On That Route
The SR 3 bascule over the Barge Canal carries 21.6 feet of clearance closed and opens. The SR 401 bascules at the lock carry 25 feet closed and open on signal. The SR 528 bridge over Sykes Creek is a fixed span, currently around 15 feet at mean high water and being raised. The SR 520 bridge over the Indian River is fixed at 65 feet.
What That Means For You
A blanket claim of no fixed bridge or sailboat access is not supported for any Merritt Island neighborhood as a whole. It depends entirely on where your dock is and which way you go out. Trace the route yourself before you pay a premium for it.
The Four Waterfront Checks
The Seawall
Seawall replacement on a canal lot is a large number and it is rarely disclosed. Have it inspected specifically, not as part of a general home inspection.
The Dock Permit
Docks, seawalls and boat lifts go through Brevard County Planning and Development as a Residential Marine Construction permit, with a separate Natural Resources review for shoreline work and a survey less than 180 days old. If the listing photos show a dock, ask whether it was permitted.
The Flood Zone
Do not take the listing's word for it. Pull the parcel on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and confirm with Brevard County Floodplain Administration at (321) 617-7340, which is the county's official repository for the flood maps. Brevard County flood zones explained.
The Elevation Certificate
Brevard County holds elevation certificates for structures in flood hazard areas permitted in roughly the last decade, and sometimes back to 1992. Pull it. An insurer quoting from the certificate rather than the zone alone often quotes differently.
Where The Waterfront Actually Is
South Of 520
Start with Newfound Harbor and South Merritt Island, where the narrow southern stretch produces river-to-river lots.
Central Island
Look at Diana Shores for canal front to Sykes Creek and Sykes Cove for newer construction on the creek.
North Island
See Indian Bay for a community boat ramp and Sunset Lakes for gated with an Indian River pier.
Widen The Search
The Whole Island
See Merritt Island.
Countywide Water
Browse waterfront homes across Brevard.
Across The Bridge
Compare Lansing Island and Tortoise Island on the barrier island.
What's Nearby
Let's Talk
Thirty minute call, no pressure. We start with the dock, the seawall and the route out, because that is where the money is.
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