Sunset Islands
The Sunset Islands are four private, guard-gated islands in Miami Beach (33140), known for bayfront estates with private docks, sweeping Biscayne Bay sunset views, and a secluded setting just minutes from Lincoln Road and South Beach.
The Sunset Islands are four private, guard-gated islands in Miami Beach (33140), known for bayfront estates with private docks, sweeping Biscayne Bay sunset views, and a secluded setting just minutes from Lincoln Road and South Beach.
The Sunset Islands are one of Miami Beach’s most exclusive residential enclaves: four man-made islands in Biscayne Bay, set just off the city’s west side between the Venetian Causeway and the Julia Tuttle Causeway. With guarded entry, lush tree-lined streets, and homes facing west over the bay, the islands offer something rare in Miami Beach: privacy and calm, minutes from everything.
Sunset Islands real estate is exclusively single-family homes, ranging from 1930s and 1940s Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco-era classics to striking new modern estates. Buyers can choose between bayfront homes with open water views and private docks, canal-front properties, and interior “dry lot” homes that offer island living at a lower entry point.
Each of the four islands, Sunset Island I, II, III, and IV, has its own character, lot sizes, and views. The northern islands tend to feel more secluded, while the southern islands sit closer to the restaurants and shops of Sunset Harbour and Lincoln Road.
The Sunset Islands were among the last man-made islands created in Biscayne Bay. They were platted in the mid-1920s by developer Stephen A. Lynch, but the land-boom crash and the Great Depression held up development, and most homes weren’t built until the mid-1930s and later. That history gives the islands an architectural mix you won’t find in newer communities.
Access to the islands is through guarded entrances off North Bay Road, giving residents a level of privacy and security that’s rare this close to the heart of Miami Beach.
Many waterfront homes come with private docks and direct access to Biscayne Bay, with the Atlantic reachable by boat through nearby inlets.
The islands live up to their name. West-facing bayfront homes enjoy unobstructed views of the sun setting over Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline.
The Sunset Islands sit on the west side of Miami Beach, roughly between 20th and 29th Streets. From here you’re minutes from:
It’s an island lifestyle that’s quiet and private at home, with some of the best dining, shopping, and beaches in South Florida just over the bridge.
Not every Sunset Islands home is created equal. Here’s what I tell buyers before they start touring:
Each island has a different feel, lot sizes, and distance to Sunset Harbour and Lincoln Road. Touring all four helps you figure out which fits your lifestyle.
Bayfront homes command the biggest premiums for their open views and sunsets. Canal-front homes offer calmer water for docking, and dry lots are a smart way to get into the islands at a lower price.
If sunsets are a priority, make sure the home actually faces west. Views can change dramatically from one side of an island to the other.
Miami Beach has some of the strictest design and historic preservation rules in South Florida, and older homes on the islands can face review before demolition or major renovation. Confirm what’s allowed before you buy a property with plans to rebuild.
Miami Beach takes resiliency seriously, and elevation requirements for new construction keep changing. Newer homes built to current standards can carry very different flood insurance costs than older homes, so compare carefully.
If you have a larger boat, check dock size, water depth, and bridge clearances on your route to open water before making an offer.
Inventory on the Sunset Islands is very limited, and the best bayfront homes often trade quietly or off-market. Whether you’re looking for a turnkey waterfront estate, a historic home to restore, or a lot to build your dream home, contact Gilles Rais to explore Sunset Islands homes for sale or schedule a private tour.
The Sunset Islands are four islands in Biscayne Bay on the west side of Miami Beach, roughly between 20th and 29th Streets, near Sunset Harbour and Lincoln Road.
Yes. The islands are accessed through guarded entrances off North Bay Road.
Many waterfront homes do, with direct access to Biscayne Bay. Dock size and water depth vary by property.
The Sunset Islands are in Miami Beach, FL 33140.
The Gilles Rais Fine Homes Team are dedicated to helping you find your dream home and assisting with any selling needs you may have. Contact us today to start your home searching journey!
