10 Secluded Coastal Towns Isolated By Design in Southeast Florida

Southeast Florida is better known for neon nightlife and boardwalk crowds, yet a string of quiet coastal towns still keeps the old, unhurried rhythm of the Atlantic.

We gathered ten of the most secluded places from Martin County down to the Lower Keys, each one offering shell-strewn beaches, low-rise skylines, and neighborhoods where the loudest sound after dark is often the surf.

These towns limit development in creative ways—capping building height, guarding gated bridges, or simply hiding homes behind thick mangroves—so residents can paddleboard at dawn and stargaze after dinner without traffic glare.

Visitors will find family-run fish shacks, pocket parks, historic lighthouses, and water as clear as a swimming pool.

Because most of the year-round populations number in the hundreds, newcomers catch sight of familiar faces quickly and strangers rarely feel like tourists for long. In short, each stop on this countdown provides a reminder that Florida’s coastline still has room for peace and quiet.

10. South Hutchinson Island (Jensen Beach)

Roughly 1,500 residents spread out along the southern tip of Hutchinson Island, a barrier strand where pastel cottages peek above sea-grape dunes.

Days revolve around surfing at Dollman Beach, hunting for fossilized shark teeth near Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, or casting lines beneath the Ernest Lyons Bridge for snook that prowl the incoming tide.

The only commercial hub is a clutch of tiki cafés and bait shops clustered near the causeway, while the rest of the island relies on small vacation rentals and family-owned inns. Martin County forbids bright streetlights here, so night skies stay dark enough to pick out the Milky Way and the green flash of hatchling turtles.

Tourism provides seasonal income, but most full-time locals work in nearby Jensen Beach or Port St. Lucie, keeping the island free of big business signage. Low population density, strict lighting codes, and miles of undeveloped shoreline combine to create a hush that feels far removed from mainland bustle.

Where is South Hutchinson Island?

This stretch lies in Martin County, beginning just south of the St. Lucie River inlet and running three miles to the House of Refuge museum. Water surrounds it on all sides—Atlantic surf to the east, the Indian River Lagoon to the west—leaving a single drawbridge on NE Causeway Boulevard as the primary entry point.

Because no through-highway connects to the barrier islands farther north, casual motorists rarely stumble upon the area. Arriving guests either drive across the causeway from Jensen Beach or, for a scenic shortcut, tie up at the public dock after cruising down the Intracoastal Waterway.

9. Layton on Long Key

Only about 200 people live in Layton, a speck of a town tucked midway down Monroe County’s Long Key. Anglers drift the ocean flats at sunrise hunting bonefish, while neighbors gather under shaded chickee huts at Sunset Park to swap the day’s catch.

The lone strip of shops is a kayak outfitter, a seafood grill, and the quirky Long Key Liquor & Deli where locals order Cuban coffee. Commercial fishing and eco-tourism support the town, yet zoning requires generous canal-front lots wrapped by mangroves that muffle highway noise.

Because streetlights are scarce and hotels nonexistent, nights are softer here than almost anywhere else in the Upper Keys. The absence of large resorts and the protective embrace of Long Key State Park on both sides make Layton feel like a whistle-stop village hiding in plain sight.

Where is Layton?

Positioned at Mile Marker 68 on the Overseas Highway, Layton occupies the narrowest part of Long Key between Florida Bay and the Atlantic.

The oceanfront here drops into crystalline depths only a few strokes from shore, while bay-side flats remain knee-deep for acres, isolating the settlement by water as well as land. U.S.-1 provides the sole road access, yet most drivers zip past at highway speed, unaware a town exists beyond the coconut palms.

Visitors who slow down can turn onto Cortez Drive, cross a tiny bridge, and find themselves on streets where egrets outnumber cars.

8. Big Pine Key

About 4,400 residents share Big Pine Key, the largest island in the Lower Keys outside of Key West, yet much of its land belongs to the National Key Deer Refuge. Days begin with snorkeling at Looe Key Reef, biking the deserted roads of No Name Key, or photographing the petite Key deer that wander freely through backyards.

Small marinas, family diners, and a famed Sunday flea market comprise the modest commercial scene, with charter guides and wildlife officers forming the main year-round workforce.

Strict building regulations cap house heights to protect dark skies, and no big resorts have ever broken ground, ensuring a laid-back ambience. Grocery shopping requires a 30-minute drive up to Marathon, a distance that naturally limits population growth.

The combination of federal refuges, shallow backcountry waters, and limited services makes Big Pine feel like a pocket of wilderness despite the Overseas Highway running through it.

Where is Big Pine Key?

Located 30 miles north-east of Key West, Big Pine sits between the Bahia Honda Channel and Newfound Harbor in Monroe County. Waterways surrounding it are peppered with sandbars and seagrass meadows that deter heavy boat traffic.

Although U.S.-1 crosses the island, the lack of commercial sprawl encourages motorists to keep rolling, leaving neighborhood roads blissfully quiet. Travelers reach Big Pine by car or by flying into Key West International Airport and driving the last half hour past turquoise shallows.

7. Sewall’s Point

Sewall’s Point counts just over 2,000 inhabitants atop a live-oak-shaded peninsula bounded by the St. Lucie and Indian Rivers. Residents spend afternoons paddle-boarding to Bird Island, a spoil-island rookery where roseate spoonbills nest, or sipping wine at sunset on the town’s modest public beach.

No commercial strip exists beyond a single convenience store; most locals commute across the Evan’s Crary Bridge into Stuart for work in boating, healthcare, or marine research. Town ordinances require one-acre lots and cap building height at 35 feet, preserving river views and limiting density.

The absence of condos and hotels keeps both traffic and transient population low. Surrounded by water on three sides and governed by slow-growth zoning, Sewall’s Point feels like a leafy retreat even though it sits mere minutes from downtown Stuart.

Where is Sewall’s Point?

The peninsula lies in Martin County, wedged between the two forks of the St. Lucie River just west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Only two bridges—Evans Crary to the south and the quaint low-rise Sewall’s Point Road bridge to the west—connect it to the mainland.

With rivers forming natural moats, through-traffic is practically nonexistent. Most visitors arrive by car from U.S.-1 or slip a boat into the sheltered anchorage off Hell Gate Point.

6. North Hutchinson Island

Less than 3,500 full-time residents occupy the 12-mile reach of North Hutchinson Island that straddles St. Lucie and Indian River Counties.

Outdoor life revolves around beachcombing at Avalon State Park, kayaking through mangrove tunnels in the Jack Island Preserve, and watching loggerhead turtles nest under moonlight at Pepper Park.

Beyond two modest condo clusters, the island hosts mainly single-story homes and mom-and-pop motels; park rangers and marine scientists are among the few permanent employees. Undeveloped dunes dominate the horizon because large portions are state parks or wildlife refuges.

Nightlife is limited to porch conversations and the occasional beach bonfire, reinforcing the isle’s quiet nature. Long stretches of protected shoreline, sparse lighting, and a limitation on building height together ensure that North Hutchinson keeps its crowd-free character.

Where is North Hutchinson Island?

The barrier island begins north of the Fort Pierce Inlet and runs up to the Sebastian Inlet, flanked by the Atlantic on one side and the Indian River Lagoon on the other. With no direct bridge between Fort Pierce and Vero Beach except A1A, drivers either detour 20 miles inland or accept a leisurely coastal cruise, thinning visitor numbers.

Public transportation is nonexistent, so arrival almost always requires a private vehicle. Boaters favor the broad lagoon channels, tying up at unmarked spoil islands before wading ashore to near-empty beaches.

5. Jupiter Inlet Colony

Fewer than 450 people live in Jupiter Inlet Colony, a tiny municipality that occupies the southern tip of Jupiter Island where the Atlantic meets the Loxahatchee River. Residents share three private beach walkovers, a community park shaded by sea grapes, and sunset docks ideal for spotting manatees drifting in the tide.

The absence of shops and restaurants inside town limits means most locals make the short drive to Tequesta for errands, while a volunteer police department and gated entrance add to the tucked-away feel. Marine services and real-estate management provide the bulk of local employment.

Because homes wrap around in a single loop road with no through-traffic, mornings are quiet enough to hear ospreys pluck fish from the inlet. Encircled by water on three sides and protected by a single guarded gate, Jupiter Inlet Colony remains one of the most private pockets in Palm Beach County.

Where is Jupiter Inlet Colony?

The town sits at the northern mouth of the Jupiter Inlet, an easy 30-minute drive north of West Palm Beach via U.S.-1. A drawbridge across the Intracoastal leads to Beach Road, then a guarded entrance gate allows residents and guests onto the circular neighborhood streets.

No public parking exists, so casual beachgoers rarely find a way in. Boats entering from the Atlantic can anchor off the sandbar, but deeper exploration requires an invitation from a local dock owner.

4. Hillsboro Beach

Hillsboro Beach hosts about 2,000 year-round residents along a mere three-mile ribbon known locally as “Millionaire’s Mile.” Walkers enjoy an uninterrupted beach path beside dune-hidden estates, or tour the 1907-era Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, still using one of the few Fresnel lenses in active duty.

Aside from a post office and a pair of boutique condos, commercial activity is nonexistent; most livelihoods stem from marine services or remote work. A single coastal road with no sidewalks keeps pedestrian traffic minimal and discourages sightseers.

The ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west act as natural buffers, while private security details ensure serenity. These factors make Hillsboro Beach feel like an exclusive hideaway despite its proximity to Pompano and Boca Raton.

Where is Hillsboro Beach?

Located in northern Broward County, the town begins at the Hillsboro Inlet drawbridge and ends at the Deerfield Beach line. State Road A1A narrows to two lanes with no outlet, forcing drivers to turn around at the town’s end, which naturally limits pass-through traffic.

The closest public access is across the inlet, so beach crowds seldom spill over. Visitors arriving by boat can dock at the inlet marina, but shifting sandbars require local knowledge, reinforcing the secluded vibe.

3. Ocean Ridge

Ocean Ridge’s 1,800 residents live between the Atlantic and mangrove-lined lagoons that shield the town from the bustle of Boynton Beach.

They spend mornings walking to Town Hall Beach, afternoons snorkeling at the limestone reef just fifty yards offshore, and evenings attending turtle talks hosted by the Ocean Ridge Natural Area.

With only a handful of small inns and no high-rise condos, the local economy relies on home services and marine trades rather than tourism.

Strict zoning curtails commercial development, and dense mangrove buffers muffle the rumble of nearby U.S.-1. Streetlights use amber bulbs to protect sea turtles, giving nights a cozy glow instead of an urban glare. All told, Ocean Ridge maintains an under-the-radar charm rare in Palm Beach County.

Where is Ocean Ridge?

The town occupies a narrow barrier strip just south of Manalapan and east of Boynton Beach, connected to the mainland by the Ocean Avenue Bridge. Because A1A dead-ends at both town limits, only residents and dedicated beachgoers drive through.

Public parking is limited to a small lot by the police station, further deterring crowds. Many visitors prefer to paddle across the Intracoastal from Boynton’s marina, landing kayaks on hidden pocket beaches no car can reach.

2. Manalapan

Manalapan counts roughly 480 people living on one-acre lots shielded by lush landscaping between the Atlantic and the Lake Worth Lagoon.

Residents often spend afternoons snorkeling at the natural reef off South Ocean Boulevard or lunching at the historic Plaza del Mar plaza—one of the few commercial corners in town.

Employment centers on property management, hospitality at the oceanfront Eau Palm Beach Resort, and marine construction firms servicing private docks. A network of private security patrols and limited street lighting keep activity hushed after twilight.

Double water frontage on most properties, along with deed restrictions limiting subdividing, preserves spaciousness. All these factors ensure a tranquil atmosphere only minutes from the grandeur of Palm Beach.

Where is Manalapan?

Sitting just south of the Town of Palm Beach in eastern Palm Beach County, Manalapan spans both sides of A1A with several home lots accessible only by boat. The single entry road from Ocean Avenue funnels traffic past a guardhouse, effectively screening casual drivers.

Visitors generally arrive via car from I-95 through Lantana, or tie their vessels at the Eau Resort’s marina slips. The surrounding Lake Worth Lagoon’s shallow flats act as a natural moat, reinforcing the town’s sense of privacy.

1. Jupiter Island

About 820 full-time residents inhabit Jupiter Island, a slender barrier island 17 miles long where palatial homes hide behind sea-grape tunnels, gumbo-limbo trees, and mangrove walls.

Locals fill mornings surfing Hobe Sound Beach, playing the storied Medalist Golf Club, or strolling the protected dunes of Blowing Rocks Preserve with its rare coquina outcrops.

Employment centers on estate management, conservation work, and small-scale charter fishing; there are no strip malls or hotels to clutter the horizon. Town ordinances enforce two-acre minimum lots and a 35-foot height cap, keeping development sparse and skyline invisible from the beach.

Because private driveways are intentionally unmarked and thick foliage screens architecture, casual passersby see little more than green walls and glimpses of turquoise water.

This careful balance of large parcels, stringent zoning, and natural buffers cements Jupiter Island’s reputation as one of Florida’s most secluded enclaves.

Where is Jupiter Island?

The island straddles Martin County’s eastern edge, 30 minutes north of West Palm Beach and separated from the mainland by the Indian River Lagoon. Access comes via the narrow Jupiter Island Bridge in the south or the scenic Gomez Bridge near Hobe Sound, both of which lack through-traffic signals.

No public beach parking exists within town limits; most tourists must use Hobe Sound Public Beach at the county park. Those arriving by boat often navigate the shallow Jupiter Narrows, where manatees graze the seagrass beds, underscoring the natural barriers that help keep the island so private.