For many people in today’s challenging world, finding purpose in life is essential to maintaining positive mental health. Whether it’s learning a new skill, exploring a new passion, giving time or treasure to charitable causes, getting healthy, or making a commitment to spend more time with family and friends—every individual has a unique objective in life. The desire to pursue Life on purpose is a common thread for one Florida beachfront community.
Just north of Vero Beach, Florida, Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club provides an idyllic backdrop to ignite inspiration among its Members. Located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, moments are celebrated for the pleasures derived from a welcoming culture, inspiring surroundings, and meaningfully engaged residents. Orchid Island’s Members are inspired to uncover newfound pleasures while embracing a picturesque golf and beach club lifestyle. Let’s take a closer look.
Where Championship Oceanfront Golf and Community Unite
As the social centerpiece of the community, Orchid Island is home to an 18-hole championship golf course designed by legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. Certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, every turn within this rare barrier island course welcomes delightful surprises from its natural neighbors. White pelicans, roseate spoonbills, and daily sightings of migratory birds and wildlife capture any golfer’s attention. Yet, what truly makes it exceptional is the bonds forged on its greens. From the serenity of sunrise tee-offs to shared laughter over refreshing drinks at the clubhouse just a golf cart ride away, Orchid Island is centered on nurturing genuine, lasting relationships. Take a look inside the Orchid Island Life on purpose multimedia brochure, providing an in-depth glimpse into the collective experiences of its Members on and off the golf course.
Director of Golf David Champagne ensures Members are having a memorable experience both on and off the course. “Golf at Orchid Island goes well beyond just having a well-designed and maintained course,” shared Champagne. “It’s really about how our Members spend time together. We have activities for more experienced golfers, but more often than not, we’ve got low handicappers playing with high handicappers and everyone feels welcome. We see a lot of smiles out there before and after the rounds.”
Natural Wonders Filled with Wildlife
Orchid Island’s location is also ideal for those who relish spending time outdoors or on the water. Kayak Cove provides direct access to the saltwater estuaries of the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse waterway in North America. Members love to spend their days paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and boating around the area’s salt and freshwater marshes, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. On land, the Historic Jungle Trail crosses the entire Orchid Island neighborhood for a memorable stroll. This eight-mile sandy road along the Indian River leads to Pelican Island Sanctuary while providing a beautiful backdrop for palm tree hammocks and coastal wetlands. Residents of Orchid Island share these beautiful natural wonders with hundreds of species of Florida’s migratory birds and animals. From white pelicans and roseate spoonbills flying overhead to otters playing in the lagoon, nature lovers enjoy daily sightings of the natural neighbors that call Orchid Island home.
For Member Bill Kennedy, Orchid Island has allowed him the time to explore the natural world that surrounds him. Once an amateur bicycle racer, he’s now part of a stress-free group that cycles together on Sunday mornings, following wherever the wind takes them. “If the wind is north, we go north; if the wind comes out of the south, we go south,” says Bill. “We go about 25 miles – we make it so you can eat more. The best part about retirement in general though is not having too much to plan. Some days I think of something I haven’t done in a while and say, ‘Why not do that today?’ It’s not like I’m waking up to eight conference calls anymore.”
Uncrowded White-Sand Beaches
For those who find inspiration from the gentle rippling of the sea, Orchid Island Members enjoy direct access to almost a mile of pristine shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. Whether starting off the day with a sunrise yoga session, surfing in the crystal-clear waves, or reading from the sand, the beach has a special appeal to every resident of the community. These grounds are also a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles and offer residents a peaceful, natural respite. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are also a common sight off the coast, while the endangered whales occasionally skim the coast in January and February.
West Indies Architecture Meets Sunlit Shores
Just a golf cart ride away from any home, the West Indies-inspired Beach Club creates an easygoing setting where generations can gather together. For the health-focused, a state-of-the-art fitness center houses personal trainers and physical therapists ready to guide and motivate every personal fitness quest. Eight Har-Tru tennis courts and two pickleball courts celebrate social connections, muscle movements, and friendly competition for players at all skill levels. A rejuvenating Spa, Member’s Lounge, and oceanfront dining are also popular destinations for Club Members. Executive Chef Chris Sozio’s gourmet farm-to-table dining and carefully curated cocktails are served with a gentle ocean breeze. Multi-purpose rooms are also home to numerous special interest clubs, including clubs for the arts, cards, Mahjong, gardening, sporting, and more.
By embracing pickleball and other sports, Member Mary Stewart learned that kindness is a part of the culture. “The first thing that surprised me was when someone called and asked me to join them for a round of golf, and they weren’t even people I knew very well,” she recalls. “There’s no judgement here either. After pickleball, a lot of us meet up at the Beach Club Turtle Bar. Last Friday, none of us recognized each other because the last time we’d seen one another, we were all sweaty and gross with no makeup. We all just laughed about it.”
Golf, River, and Oceanfront Homes Surrounded by Nature’s Beauty
Each of Orchid Island’s 375 residences surrounds Members in the best of Florida’s natural beauty. With many homes located directly on the water or overlooking Orchid Island’s championship golf course, each home features West Indies architectural designs, panoramic natural vistas, and the secluded privacy of living in a gated oceanfront golf community. Luxurious oceanfront condominiums and oceanfront estates are spacious and bright with open Atlantic Ocean views. A wide array of single-family riverfront estates offer open Indian River views and many feature private docks. Golf course homes and cottages are tucked away on private cul-de-sacs and winding streets to maintain open views of the lush fairways and sparkling lakes of its distinctive Arnold Palmer course.
With demand for this highly sought-after community at an all-time high, inventory is limited at Orchid Island. To stay updated on new real estate listings, register your interest at OrchidIslandFL.com. A complimentary copy of the Orchid Island Magazine is available online, showcasing the surrounding area and lifestyle of the community. Call 772.388.3888 for more information or to schedule a private community club tour.
