What if your morning started with coffee on a quiet canal and ended with a sunset walk on a nearly empty stretch of sand? If you are weighing a move to Fort Lauderdale for privacy and boating access, Harbour Inlet checks both boxes. In this guide, you’ll see how the location, lifestyle, and property mix come together, plus what to verify before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Where Harbour Inlet sits
Harbour Inlet is a small, residential enclave on a barrier island just east of the 17th Street Causeway in Fort Lauderdale. It is framed by the Intracoastal and Port Everglades channels on one side and the Atlantic on the other. The setting gives you a protected, waterfront neighborhood with quick access to open water.
A long-running neighborhood association helps keep the streetscape polished. Entry features and a gatehouse create a semi-gated feel, with sidewalks, decorative lighting, roundabouts, and landscaping throughout. The association also represents residents at city and county meetings and organizes community events, which supports a calm, residential pace. For background on the neighborhood identity and improvements, review the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations’ overview of Harbour Inlet at the CFLCA neighborhood page.
Quiet, coastal daily life
Life here leans relaxed and outdoorsy. You are a short walk or a couple of minutes by car to local beaches, including Las Olas Beach and the quieter Lago Mar stretch. The limited public parking near Lago Mar often gives it a low-traffic feel.
Everyday errands are simple along the 17th Street corridor, where you will find grocery stores, restaurants, and services. For dining and culture, Las Olas Boulevard and downtown Fort Lauderdale are a short drive away. Some residents also use the Water Taxi for recreational trips, though most day-to-day errands happen by car.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport sits within a short drive. Pier Sixty-Six sources note that the airport is roughly 4 to 5 miles from the marina, which is adjacent to Harbour Inlet. See the Pier Sixty-Six FAQ for transport context.
Life on the water
Private docks and deepwater
Many Harbour Inlet homes sit on canals or basins and include private docks. Depths, frontage, and slip capacity vary by lot. If you plan to bring a boat, verify water depth, seawall condition, and any lift capacity as part of offer due diligence.
Superyacht support next door
For larger vessels or full-service marina needs, Pier Sixty-Six is just across the 17th Street Causeway. The marina advertises deep-water slips, large-vessel capabilities, fuel, provisioning, and concierge services. Proximity to a premier facility like Pier Sixty-Six Marina is a practical advantage, especially if your boat outgrows a private dock at home.
Fast access to the Atlantic
Harbour Inlet boaters route through the Intracoastal and Port Everglades approaches with short transits to the ocean inlet. Drawbridges in the area, including the 17th Street Causeway, can affect timing. Always confirm current bridge operations and air-draft limits for your vessel. The Pier Sixty-Six FAQ offers helpful context on nearby waterways and access.
Homes and architecture
Harbour Inlet is predominantly single-family, with approximately 252 single-family homes noted by local civic sources. You will see mid-century ranches, Mediterranean-inspired residences, and newer contemporary coastal rebuilds. On the neighborhood fringes, there are co-ops, mid-rise condos, and small apartment buildings that broaden nearby options.
Waterfront properties often feature seawalls, private docks, pools, and curated tropical landscaping that preserves privacy. Newer builds lean toward open-plan interiors with large glazing to frame canal views. Many streets feel quiet and walkable, aided by the association’s investment in sidewalks and streetscape.
Price context and inventory
Inventory is limited and episodic, especially along the water. Recent provider reporting shows a wide range due to different data methods and boundaries: Zillow’s neighborhood typical value has been cited near the mid-$800K level, Realtor.com’s recent median listing price has been around 2.36 million dollars, Redfin’s median sale price has sat near 2.2 million dollars, and local analyst snapshots often place many single-family waterfronts in the 2.5 to 3 million dollar range. These differences reflect methodology, map boundaries, and the share of waterfront versus non-waterfront homes included.
What this means for you: non-waterfront or nearby condo/co-op options can trade below the core waterfront median, sometimes under the seven-figure mark, while updated or new-build waterfront estates commonly list well above Fort Lauderdale’s citywide averages. If you want the most current, property-specific view, request a fresh MLS snapshot and on-the-water comps before you make an offer.
What to verify before you buy
Buying on the water is about more than views. Use this short checklist to protect value and plan ongoing costs:
- Seawall and dock condition. Ask for recent inspections and permits, and scope any upcoming work. Broward County and area municipalities have been updating seawall and tidal flood-resilience standards, which can affect repair thresholds and permit costs. Review regional policy context in the tidal flood mitigation materials that reference Broward Policy 2.21.7, and engage a licensed marine contractor.
- Flood exposure and insurance. Obtain an Elevation Certificate and check your exact lot on FEMA flood maps. Get quotes from both NFIP and private carriers to compare coverage and premiums. For an overview of common waterfront factors that affect policies, see this summary of flood insurance considerations.
- Dock, lift, and marina options. Confirm that existing docks are permitted and that depths and clearances match your vessel. If your boat is too large for a residential slip, verify slip availability and service plans at Pier Sixty-Six Marina.
- Association details. The Harbour Inlet Association manages entry features, landscaping, and community events. Clarify whether fees are voluntary or mandatory and whether exterior work such as docks and driveways has guidelines. The association dates to 1960. For FAQs and context, visit the Harbour Inlet Association FAQ.
Who chooses Harbour Inlet
You value privacy, the ability to walk to a quiet beach, and fast access to open water. You might keep a center-console or sportfisher behind the house and rely on Pier Sixty-Six for larger-vessel service. You want a calm, tree-lined setting, yet you still expect to reach Las Olas dining, downtown, and the airport in minutes.
If that describes your priorities, Harbour Inlet aligns with a “quiet luxury on the water” brief. The tradeoffs are typical of premium waterfront living: higher acquisition and ownership costs, along with tight resale inventory. For many buyers, the combination of privacy, boating convenience, and beach proximity outweighs those costs.
Next steps
If Harbour Inlet is on your shortlist, pair neighborhood touring with targeted, property-level due diligence. Focus on seawall and dock condition, flood risk and insurance, and vessel logistics. Then benchmark pricing with a current MLS snapshot that separates true waterfront comparables from nearby non-waterfront options.
If you would like a discreet, data-driven review of active and off-market opportunities in and around Harbour Inlet, request a private consultation with Annerley Bianco.
FAQs
Is Harbour Inlet a quiet, private area?
- Yes. It is widely described as a low-traffic residential enclave. Entry features and active association stewardship support the calm streetscape. See the overview at the CFLCA neighborhood page.
How close is Harbour Inlet to the beach?
- Very close. You can walk or take a short drive to local access points, including Las Olas Beach and the quieter Lago Mar stretch that often feels less crowded.
Can I keep a large yacht at a Harbour Inlet home?
- Many homes have private docks, but vessel size depends on your lot’s frontage, depth, and permitting. Very large yachts are often berthed at nearby Pier Sixty-Six Marina. Always verify depths and restrictions.
How far is the airport from Harbour Inlet?
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a short drive. Pier Sixty-Six sources cite about 4 to 5 miles from the marina next to Harbour Inlet. See the Pier Sixty-Six FAQ for transport context.
What schools serve Harbour Inlet homes?
- Local profiles often reference Harbordale Elementary and Fort Lauderdale High for nearby public options. Always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with Broward County Public Schools.
What are the main ownership tradeoffs?
- You gain privacy, boating access, and beach proximity, but should plan for higher insurance, potential seawall or dock upkeep, and slower, inventory-constrained resale dynamics.