Historic resort island hits market
A seven-acre resort island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, once the domain of the notorious 18th-century pirate “Robin Hood of Pirates,” has been listed for $50 million. Black’s Island, located in Port St. Joe’s Bay off the Florida Panhandle, offers a unique blend of history and luxury.
Black’s Island boasts 26 waterfront bungalows, a clubhouse, a cabana, and a pool with sundecks, all connected by a 1,200-foot cedar boardwalk. The property can be maintained as a commercial resort or transformed into a private family compound. Accessible only by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, the secluded island promises adventure and exclusivity.
“This is for adventure seekers, and there’s no other like it in the state of Florida that has been developed,” said Jon Kohler of Jon Kohler & Associates, who co-listed the property.
A pirate’s legacy
The island, named after Black Sam Bellamy—the wealthiest pirate in recorded history—has over 3,700 feet of shoreline. Bellamy called the island home from 1715 to 1717 before his ship, the Whydah, sank off the coast of Massachusetts.
The wreckage, discovered in 1982, contained a treasure trove of indigo, ivory, gold, and sterling silver. Artifacts from the Whydah are displayed in the Whydah Pirate Museum in Massachusetts.
A modern-day treasure
Atlanta developer Scott Seymour, who purchased the island in 2018, has renovated the bungalows and added amenities. Seymour is open to selling the entire island or individual bungalows, priced between $1.5 million and $1.6 million each.
“It was an opportunity to be involved in something that cannot be duplicated,” Seymour said. He is also developing a $20 million hotel on the mainland, paying homage to the island and its pirate namesake.
The hurricane-resistant bungalows, which survived 2018’s Hurricane Michael, are fully furnished and stocked. The one-story models are 1,225 square feet, featuring two bedrooms, a loft, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a dining area, a laundry room, and a balcony. The two-story models, at 1,425 square feet, include an additional half bathroom.
Resort amenities
The island’s four-story clubhouse is equipped for high-style entertaining, with dining areas, a bar, a lounge, games tables, and balconies. Other amenities include a gift shop, a cabana with outdoor seating and games, a swimming pool, a floating water trampoline, and docks for jet skis and boats.
“The bungalows have 360-degree views, which is rare,” Kohler noted. “Every which way you look, you can see the sunrises and sunsets.”
Due to current building and code restrictions, the island cannot be recreated, making it a truly unique offering. Self-sufficient with underground utilities and its own well and sewer system, Black’s Island offers a rare combination of luxury and historical significance.
“The island is in the middle of a marine estuary,” Kohler added. “The water is gin clear—it’s like going on vacation to the Bahamas without leaving Florida.”