Tampa Bay Island Listed for $75M After Florida Blew Chance to buy

If you have deep pockets and want your own island, look no further than an hour south of downtown Tampa.

Rattlesnake Key, a 671-acre island in Manatee County that’s been a haven for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts for nearly 50 years, is up for sale with a price tag of $75 million, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The island, located at the meeting point of Terra Ceia Bay and Tampa Bay, has been owned by Tampa Bay Real Estate Investment for 17 years. The offering also includes a collection of smaller nearby islands and an adjacent mainland property. The offering totals about 1,000 acres, mostly composed of wetlands.

Despite the Florida Legislature’s plan to purchase Rattlesnake Key for conservation, with an allotted budget of $23 million, plus $3 million from the county, an appraisal discrepancy derailed the acquisition, prompting the owners to list the properties for sale.

“They said it was worth $7 million. That’s not even a lowball. It’s worse,” Honey Rand, whose Environmental PR Group represents the seller, told the outlet. “That’s not even in the ballpark.”

The state can still buy the island for $25 million, Rand said, but the funding expires June 30.

Beyond recreational use, Rattlesnake Key offers about 200 acres of developable land. Rand envisions a wide range of possibilities, including residences, a resort or a marina.

The island is above the mean high tide line, offering protection from storm surges. The ownership has considered building three houses on the island and drew up plans for a resort that included casitas and a marina.

The owners have shown commitment to conservation, local fishing charter captain Scott Moore said. He would like to see the area preserved as a public nature reserve, citing its significance as a prime fishing spot and habitat for native wildlife.

The individuals behind seller Tampa Bay Real Estate Investment have not been identified. Yet, their shared passion for the outdoors and commitment to responsible stewardship underscore the delicate balance between commercial interests and environmental preservation.

—Quinn Donoghue