Highland Beach
A three mile strip of oceanfront condos and homes between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, with no shops and no crowds.
You walk a beach with almost nobody on it, then drive ten minutes to Atlantic Avenue when you want company.
The scorecard
Tap any score for the local's take.
Nightlife1
None to speak of. The town is condos and homes along A1A with one resort, and its restaurant stops serving dinner around 9:30. Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach and downtown Boca Raton are each a 10 to 15 minute drive.
Meet people2
Thin inside the town limits. The town library on A1A is the main gathering spot, and the resort restaurant has a weekday happy hour. Most clubs, markets and classes you would join are a short drive away in Delray Beach or Boca Raton.
Peace and quiet5
About as quiet as the southeast coast gets. One road, A1A, with no stores, no public beach lots and almost no reason for anyone passing through to stop. Mostly you hear the surf.
Walkability1
There is nothing to walk to. No shops, no cafes, one resort restaurant. You can walk or ride along A1A for exercise, but groceries, coffee and dinner all mean driving to Delray Beach or Boca Raton.
On the water3
The west side of town backs onto the Intracoastal, and many buildings and homes there have their own docks. There is no public marina or ramp in town. Trailer boaters launch at the ramps in Boca Raton or Delray Beach.
Beaches4
About three miles of clean, uncrowded sand. The catch is access. There are no public beach parks or parking lots in town yet, so you reach the sand through your own building or a private path.
Dining and arts1
One restaurant in town. Latitudes at the Delray Sands Resort has an ocean terrace and a seafood bar. Everything else is a drive, with Atlantic Avenue to the north and Mizner Park to the south.
Outdoors and wellness2
Beach walks, ocean swims and bike rides along A1A are the daily routine. There are no parks in town to speak of. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, with its boardwalk and 40 foot tower, is a few minutes south in Boca Raton.
Affordability1
Among the most expensive addresses on this stretch of coast. Oceanfront condos and large homes dominate, and condo fees, reserves and wind insurance add a lot to the monthly cost. Older condos on the Intracoastal side cost less.
Airport access4
About 30 to 35 minutes to the Palm Beach airport and around 40 to Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Brightline trains stop in downtown Boca Raton, about 15 minutes south.
Scores last checked October 2026. Scores rate what the town offers, never who lives there. How we score
Community and social scene
A night out starts with a drive. In town it is dinner or a drink at Latitudes, which serves dinner until about 9:30. For anything more you head north to Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach or south to Mizner Park in Boca Raton, then come home to dark, quiet streets.
Community at a glance
Tap any row for places and times.
PickleballOn the map
See pickleball courts near Highland Beach on the mapTennisOn the map
See tennis courts near Highland Beach on the mapGolfOn the map
See golf courses near Highland Beach on the mapLive musicOn the map
See live music near Highland Beach on the mapTrivia nightsOn the map
See trivia nights near Highland Beach on the mapPro sportsTeams nearby
Florida Panthers (NHL) in Sunrise, 23 miles awayMiami Dolphins (NFL) in Miami Gardens, 32 miles awayMiami Heat (NBA) in Miami, 43 miles awayInter Miami (MLS) in Miami, 44 miles awayMiami Marlins (MLB) in Miami, 44 miles awayMiles are in a straight line, so the drive is longer.Places of worshipOn the map
See places of worship near Highland Beach on the mapWe don't list or rate congregations. The map shows what is in and around town.More ways to meet people
Highland Beach Library
The town library on South Ocean Boulevard, and the usual home for talks, classes and art exhibits in town.Happy hour at Latitudes
Monday through Friday from 4 to 6pm at the Delray Sands Resort, the one gathering spot on the ocean.Delray Beach Winter GreenMarket
About 10 minutes north. Saturdays at Old School Square from late October through May.Delray Beach First Friday Art Walk
Galleries stay open late the first Friday of every month, 6 to 9pm.Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
A few minutes south in Boca Raton, with a boardwalk, a 40 foot observation tower and outdoor marine aquariums.We write about places and events, never about who lives there. Times and dates change, so confirm before you go.
Things to do
The honest details
- Home prices
- About $930K median sale price, all home types (fall 2026)
- Nearest hospital
- Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, about 4 miles. Nearest trauma center: Delray Medical Center (Level I), about 5 miles. Straight line distance, so the drive is longer.
- Airport
- Palm Beach airport, about 30 minutes
- Season
- Quiet year round
- Heads up
- Oceanfront storm exposure, high condo fees
- Insurance
- Florida averages about $10,384 a year for $250K of coverage (MoneyGeek, 2026). Get a quote and check the flood zone for any address. Read more
- Why people love it
- Very quiet. Minutes from Delray and Boca.
- Know before you go
- Nothing in town to walk to. Expensive.
- Schools
- See official grades and district info on the Florida Department of Education site.
Common questions about Highland Beach
Is Highland Beach walkable?
No. Plan on driving for almost everything. There is nothing to walk to. No shops, no cafes, one resort restaurant. You can walk or ride along A1A for exercise, but groceries, coffee and dinner all mean driving to Delray Beach or Boca Raton.
Does Highland Beach have a good beach?
Yes, a very good one. About three miles of clean, uncrowded sand. The catch is access. There are no public beach parks or parking lots in town yet, so you reach the sand through your own building or a private path.
Is Highland Beach affordable?
No. It is one of the most expensive spots on the Florida coast. Home prices: About $930K median sale price, all home types (fall 2026). Among the most expensive addresses on this stretch of coast. Oceanfront condos and large homes dominate, and condo fees, reserves and wind insurance add a lot to the monthly cost. Older condos on the Intracoastal side cost less.
What is the nightlife like in Highland Beach?
Very quiet. Most of town is dark early. A night out starts with a drive. In town it is dinner or a drink at Latitudes, which serves dinner until about 9:30. For anything more you head north to Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach or south to Mizner Park in Boca Raton, then come home to dark, quiet streets.
How busy does Highland Beach get?
It is one of the quietest places on the Florida coast. About as quiet as the southeast coast gets. One road, A1A, with no stores, no public beach lots and almost no reason for anyone passing through to stop. Mostly you hear the surf.
Is Highland Beach good for boating and fishing?
Yes, with decent access to ramps and marinas. The west side of town backs onto the Intracoastal, and many buildings and homes there have their own docks. There is no public marina or ramp in town. Trailer boaters launch at the ramps in Boca Raton or Delray Beach.
Which airport is closest to Highland Beach?
About 30 to 35 minutes to the Palm Beach airport and around 40 to Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Brightline trains stop in downtown Boca Raton, about 15 minutes south.
What should I know before moving to Highland Beach?
The main things to plan for: Oceanfront storm exposure, high condo fees. Florida homeowners insurance averages about $10,384 a year for $250K of dwelling coverage (MoneyGeek, 2026). Get a quote and check the flood zone for any address before you commit.
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