Figure Eight Island

Figure Eight Island is a delightful oceanfront community located just 12 miles north of Wilmington, accessible only by crossing a guarded causeway bridge from North Carolina State Road 1402, (Edgewater Club Road) off Highway 17 and Porters Neck Road. The island is serene, peaceful, quiet and stunningly beautiful. The island is unrecognizable from how it appeared just a bit over 100 years ago, when the only residents of the island were wild ponies who freely galloped the dunes.

That changed at the dawn of the 20th century and today admission to the private island is by invitation only. When you arrive, you’ll be taken by the feeling of being in another world. You are. Figure Eight Island is one of the most expensive places to live in the area.

Fabulous private estates

The five-mile, 1,300-acre island retreat features only private homes, most better defined as estates, each different from the next. You won’t find cookie-cutter developments among the approximately 475 homes here.

The highest price paid for a home sold in 2015 was $3.25 million dollars; that was the second most expensive home sold in New Hanover County. The most expensive home for sale currently is $5.99 million dollars; the least expensive is $1.395 million. Currently six of the 27 properties for sale are less than $2 million with the median price $2.35 million. As one might expect, the homes are gorgeous, most with spectacular ocean, sound or marsh views. From luxurious, exquisite seven and eight bedroom homes to more modest three and four bedroom bungalows, all have their own personalities. Undeveloped land is scarce too. Currently six parcels are on the market, with an average listing price of $1.75 million dollars. The priciest lot sold in 2015 was $2.75 million.

Vacation in style on Figure Eight Island

Although the island has permanent residents, it is popular as a second home and vacation location, too, often as a haven for celebrities and politicians. Experienced agencies handle Figure Eight Island real estate sales, rentals and property management. Rentals range from $3,000 a week in the off-season to more than $13,000 a week in the height of the summer. Those prices include taxes and travel insurance.

Figure Eight Island features tennis courts, boat ramps and miles of white sand beaches. This is a perfect place to enjoy surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle-boarding and canoeing. Other options include kite flying, biking, shelling, bird watching, crabbing, fishing, walking, and just plain doing nothing at all. Leave your stress at the guardhouse!