Mirabay

MiraBay is a 750-acre gated, master-planned waterfront community on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay in Apollo Beach, roughly 20 miles south of downtown Tampa. Originally developed by Newland Communities in 2003 and now carried forward by Minto Communities, the community is built around a 135-acre lagoon and an extensive system of saltwater canals that connect directly to Tampa Bay — meaning many homeowners can walk out the back door to a private dock and be in open bay water within minutes. At full build-out, MiraBay will comprise roughly 1,700 homes. Importantly, MiraBay is NOT a deed-restricted 55+ community. It welcomes residents of all ages, and the demographic is a mix of retirees, families, and working professionals. The community's waterfront lifestyle, resort amenities, and gated security still make it attractive to the 55+ buyer who wants a retirement-style environment without the age restriction — but prospective buyers should know the pool has a water slide, toddler area, and splash zones, and the social calendar includes family-oriented events like a Fall Festival with food trucks and kids' activities. The architecture is deliberately cohesive: Key West-inspired coastal homes with bright colors, metal roofs, deep porches, and tropical landscaping. Home inventory ranges from townhomes and entry-level single-family homes in the low-$300Ks to canal-front and lagoon-front estates well over $2 million. Most single-family plans are three or four bedrooms, with three-bedroom homes averaging around 2,000 sq ft and four-bedroom homes around 3,000 sq ft. Builders over the life of the community have included David Weekley Homes, Cardel Homes, Sabal Homes, Ashton Woods Homes, and Homes by WestBay, and new construction continues at the Marisol Pointe section through Park Square Homes. A for-rent townhome community, Cyrene at MiraBay, sits inside the gates but is operated separately. The social and recreational heart of the community is the MiraBay Club & Spa. The year-round pool includes lap lanes, a beach entry, a water slide, and a dedicated toddler pool. The Galley Cafe serves burgers, sandwiches, and salads poolside and runs a sunset happy hour. The fitness center is fully equipped with cardio, weights, and a full schedule of studio cycling, yoga, and Pilates classes, with personal training and nutritional counseling available. A full-time activities director runs the social calendar, and active clubs include Dragon Boat, Mariners, Ballroom Dancing, Soccer, Bike, Running, Book, Bridge, and Euchre groups. Outdoor recreation is a defining feature. The community has five lighted tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball, and multiple playgrounds. From the lagoon, residents can launch kayaks, paddleboards, and small watercraft directly from the shoreline, and The Landing Park has a boat ramp and grilling area. Wolf Creek Park sits at the edge of the 1,300-acre Wolf Branch Creek Nature Preserve, offering hiking trails and excellent birding and wildlife viewing. An on-site Outfitters shop helps anglers with gear and local fishing advice. Fees reflect the amenity load. HOA dues run roughly $115-$787 per month depending on home type (single-family vs. townhome vs. condo), and the Harbor Bay CDD assessment runs approximately $3,080-$6,127 per year, billed through the Hillsborough County property tax bill. Combined monthly carrying cost for HOA plus CDD is commonly $400-$600+. The community is gated with a 24-hour staffed gatehouse. Waterfront and canal-front lots fall within FEMA AE flood zones, so flood insurance is required by most mortgage lenders. Location is a major draw. MiraBay is about 20 miles south of downtown Tampa, roughly 27 miles from Tampa International Airport, an easy run up US-41 or I-75 to MacDill AFB, and within reasonable driving distance of St. Petersburg and Sarasota. Apollo Beach itself offers the Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, and E.G. Simmons Park nearby, along with everyday shopping and dining.