A stunning resort on an island that once was the hideaway of notorious pirate Black Sam Bellamy has come on the market for $50 million, perfect for an upscale commercial hospitality operation or a sprawling and elite family compound.
Known today as Black’s Island, the seven-acre property, ringed with white sand beaches, sits just miles off the coast of the Florida panhandle. Accessible only by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, the island is a secluded escape. It is occupied by a four-star resort including 26 recently remodeled waterfront bungalows, each with two or three bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, living room, dining room, and laundry room. The round bungalows sport balconies allowing visitors to take in 360-degree views of the palm-dotted island, the luminous waves, and vibrant sunrises and sunsets.
Beyond the individual accommodations, the resort includes everything guests need for a relaxed and luxurious getaway. A four-story clubhouse includes a bar, dining areas, game room, and lounge. Outdoors, guests can enjoy the playing some cornhole in the game area, picnicking on the spacious green lawn, floating in the 40-fott-by-16-foot pool, or relaxing on the surrounding sundecks, in the dappled shade of the palm trees. Kayaking, paddle-boarding, beach volleyball, and a water trampoline all add to the fun.
The island was once the territory of famous and feared pirate Samuel Bellamy, known as Black Sam. The richest pirate in recorded history, Black Sam was often seen as a Robin Hood figure, stealing from rich shipowners and sharing the booty with his fiercely loyal crew of some 200 men, all of whom had a vote in how the ship was run. Bellamy commanded a flotilla, including the Whydah, a former slave ship captured by the pirates after its first two voyages. After only a few months as a pirate ship the vessel went down in a storm off Cape Cod in 1717, taking its notorious captain and most of the crew with it.
Today, the island that was once a pirate’s refuge can be your escape as well. For more details and photos, visit the original listing at Jon Kohler & Associates.
Photographs courtesy of toptenrealestatedeals.com.