Ultra-exclusive residential and holiday destination Ocean Reef is situated at the top of the Florida Keys and just north of Key Largo, covering 2,500 acres. While today it’s widely regarded as the pinnacle of wealth and luxury, Ocean Reef began life in 1948 as a small fishing camp. As its popularity grew, so too did the scope of activities it hosted, and the camp quickly expanded to offer golf, yachting, swimming and tennis, as well as fine dining and shopping. In 1969, under the ownership of Harpur Sibley Jr. And Morris Burke, Ocean Reef was established as an exclusive club, which became member-owned in 1993.
Today its membership comprises equity members – who own property – as well as social and local members, and has international representation. With six-figure initiation costs and annual club dues, it appeals to an elite subsection of society. In return, the Ocean Reef Club provides ultimate luxury, high-end amenities, and uncompromising security – all wrapped into a tropical paradise. This blog explores just some of the club’s hidden gems.
Dining Options
Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or fine dining, the Ocean Reef Club certainly doesn’t disappoint. With American classics and cuisine from France, Italy, Asia and beyond, there are a vast array of culinary delights for members and guests to discover. A special mention goes to Gianni Ristorante, serving authentic Italian cuisine from wood-fired pizzas to fresh pasta dishes, with a panoramic view across the Marina. The restaurant also features an elegant cocktail lounge, where customers are spoilt for choice with a long list of signature concoctions, each inspired by a different Italian location. Another gem is the Grill Room, located in the Clubhouse with views of the ninth and eighteenth holes of the immaculate Dolphin Course. The menu offers a range of vibrant salads and ‘handhelds’ - big hearty sandwiches, burgers and tacos packed full of fresh ingredients and succulent meats. For foodies looking to create their own culinary delights, the cooking school at Carysfort Kitchen comes highly recommended, offering hands-on classes, chef demonstrations and a busy calendar of culinary events.
Buccaneer Island
Buccaneer Island is the ultimate beachfront location to soak up the sunshine, whether you’re on the beach, enjoying a drink with friends, or want to try your hand at water sports. The white sands and crystal blue waters provide the ultimate backdrop for long summer days and lasting memories. As well as being everything you’d expect from a tropical paradise, the beachfront hotspot is home to an enclosed lagoon and two pools, providing plenty of opportunity to take a refreshing dip and cool off in the hot weather. The island is also a go-to destination for more adventurous aquatic pursuits, with top-of-the-range paddleboards, sailboats, kayaks and windsurfers available to rent. The weekend eco-kayak and SUP tours are also hugely popular, not only for keen adventurers looking to improve their skills on the water, but for those looking to take in the incredible ocean life and rare birds of the Island.
Golf
One of Ocean Reef Club’s more popular offerings is the incredible golf experience available. 18-hole courses are considered a rarity for Florida Keys, and for the club to have one, let alone two, incredible courses to its name is significant. The courses are nothing short of immaculate – carefully manicured greens and rolling fairways, set in the stunning scenery of the Ocean Reef, makes for a breathtaking landscape. Each course offers something very different to the other. Dolphin Course is a 6,600-yard, par-71 course, with exotic coconut palms and mahogany trees lining the fairways and vast water hazards. Perhaps the more generous of the two, the course provides challenges and enjoyment for a range of golfing abilities. Hammock Course, also par-71 and slightly shorter at 6,100 yards, is considered a little more testing with water hazards to navigate on 14 of the holes. The course is set amongst a vast wildlife sanctuary, home to an array of rare or endangered tropical plants. As well as the two stunning courses, the Ocean Reef Club is also home to a teaching academy and an award-winning pro shop.
Rumoured Famous Residents
Among approximately 1,700 equity members at the Ocean Reef Club, there are many famous residents, including actors, singers, authors, athletes and politicians. The privacy and discretion of the club is one of the main selling points for its celebrity members, and the club stipulates that every guest or resident should be able to enjoy the amenities and feel at home regardless of their fame or status. While the famous members of the Ocean Reef Club are a closely guarded secret, the same names regularly crop up in association with the club and the surrounding areas. The Ocean Reef Club was known to be home to TV show host and singer-songwriter, Kathie Lee Gifford, until she sold her oceanfront property in 2018. Other notable residents said to live in or nearby Ocean Reef include author Judy Blume, actress Sydney Sweeney, and Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. The Keys was also known to be home to the late singer-songwriter, Jimmy Buffet, and the legendary novelist and short story writer, Ernest Hemingway.
The Spa
As if a visit or residence at the Ocean Reef Club wasn’t indulgent enough, the spa offers members another level of relaxation and tranquillity entirely. Set on the first floor of the immaculate member fitness centre, the spa covers 8,000 square feet and offers 10 individual treatment rooms as well a pool, an experience shower, dry sauna and steam rooms. Guests can immerse themselves in absolute luxury, whether they’re enjoying one of the specialist treatments or simply kicking back and relaxing in the spa’s calming and cosy surroundings. Those looking for the full pamper package can choose from a range of heavenly massages, body and skin treatments with the spa’s expert therapists, while a team of skilled hair stylists and nail technicians are also on hand to deliver top-of-the-range salon services. If that wasn’t enough, visitors can also top off a day of rest and relaxation with a spot of retail therapy in the spa’s exquisite boutique.
The Ocean Reef Club provides access to the most incredible amenities, culinary experiences and activities against the stunning backdrop of the Florida Keys, while prioritising the safety and privacy of its wealthy members. While we’ve only skimmed the surface of the incredible lifestyle and offerings at the club here, it certainly seems to deliver on its promise of ‘a unique way of life’.
