There’s a small peninsula in the Manatee River that hides one of the most luxurious and upscale residential communities in the Sunshine State. Not many people know about Hawk Island, a very exclusive boating neighborhood developed by Arthur Rutenberg and Bamboo Homes.

Hawk Island can be described as a deluxe Mediterranean seaside village that has been transported to Bradenton. There are only 28 estates in this neighborhood, which offers gorgeous views of the Manatee River. Hawk Island was originally planned with yachting enthusiasts in mind, but club membership is not mandatory. This neighborhood is located to the west of I-75 and north of the Manatee Avenue section that crosses over the Braden River.

Although Hawk Island is actually a peninsula, the suburban planning and meticulous landscaping evoke the feeling of life in a small Caribbean island. All the custom-built homes in this neighborhood have been completed in recent years, and they are spectacular. Take, for example, a two-level, four-bedroom and four-bathroom home built on a 27,486 square feet lot. The interior space is larger than 5,000 square feet, and the materials used for finishing include: marble, onyx, maple, cedar, and granite. On the second floor of this waterfront estate, a game room features a bar that connects to a roofed balcony overlooking the Manatee River.

Other sumptuous details that home buyers can expect at Hawk Island include: heated swimming pools with spas, outdoor kitchens, wooden decks, extra-large Florida rooms, fireplaces, breakfast nooks, gourmet kitchens, split-level master bedrooms, and much more.

Boating and fishing are the main amenities at Hawk Island. Each home has its own private dock space on a discrete canal that is easy to navigate when sailing on the Manatee River. This neighborhood’s location is excellent; the Downtown Bradenton district is only 10 minutes away, and shopping centers are just blocks away from the gate. The beach is less than 30 minutes away by car, but most residents of Hawk Island prefer taking their boats to Anna Maria Island when they head to the beach.