You are choosing between two exceptional private clubs on Vero Beach’s barrier island, and both check a lot of boxes. You want beach access, top-tier golf, and a community that fits your daily rhythm. This guide gives you a clear, side-by-side look at John’s Island and Orchid Island so you can match lifestyle, property types, and club culture to your priorities. Let’s dive in.

Big picture: scale and feel

If you prefer a larger ecosystem with many venues and programs, John’s Island delivers. John’s Island is roughly 1,650 acres with a master plan limiting development to about 1,382 residences, spanning the Atlantic to the Indian River Lagoon. That size supports multiple neighborhoods, clubs, and activity hubs you can use every day. You will also find about three miles of private Atlantic shoreline and a large Beach Club complex that anchors ocean life for members.

If you value intimacy and a tight social circle in a smaller setting, Orchid Island is purposefully limited in scale. Club materials describe a finished, member-owned community with about 375 residences and more than a mile of private beach. Fewer homes mean a calmer pace and a walkable, familiar daily flow. 

Both clubs are member-owned, and full access typically requires membership. Costs and availability change, so verify details directly with Anne and Dan when you are ready to move forward.

Setting and access

John’s Island is ocean-to-river, which creates many water and view options across the community. You will find special enclaves such as Gem Island and a Beach Club that acts as a social and recreational anchor. The Beach Club includes multiple dining spaces and pools, including an 89-foot illusion pool, so it can comfortably host family events or seasonal gatherings.

Orchid Island sits on the barrier island between the Atlantic and the Indian River Lagoon. It emphasizes a natural, coastal experience with a quieter beachfront, lagoon access for paddling, and daily routines that flow naturally from beach to courts to clubhouse. The club’s own materials present a serene pace and strong connection to the outdoors. You can learn more in the club’s coastal living guide.

Homes and pricing cues

Every buyer’s short list is different, so product type matters. John’s Island offers an unusually wide mix: oceanfront condominiums, golf cottages, village townhomes, tennis townhouses, estate homes, and distinctive enclaves such as Gem Island. Anne and Dan can show you anythign on John's Isalnd including oceanfront condos and cottages in the mid-to-millions and single-family estates often from about 3 million dollars up to 20 million dollars, depending on location, size, and finish. 

Anne and Dan can also show you Orchid Island's collection of West Indies-inspired residences, including oceanfront estates, courtyard homes, cottages, and a small set of oceanfront condominiums. Club and on-site real estate materials commonly show multi-million-dollar offerings, with stated examples in the 2 to 12 million dollar band depending on setting and design.

Inventory and days on market evolve quickly, especially by product type. When you are ready, ask for the latest closed sales and time-on-market data for the exact format you want, such as oceanfront condo versus golf cottage versus estate home.

Amenities that shape daily life

Golf

If you want variety, John’s Island features three 18-hole championship courses, including the West Course set on a 300-acre sand ridge. The club has also hosted national-level events, including the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2015. That means you can rotate courses without leaving the community.

If you prefer a single, walkable course as the community’s centerpiece, Orchid Island’s Arnold Palmer-designed championship course is both scenic and Audubon-certified. Golf integrates naturally with beach and courts, which keeps the daily routine streamlined.

Beach and water

John’s Island offers about three miles of private Atlantic beachfront with a large, multi-venue Beach Club for dining, lounging, and family time. That footprint supports everything from quiet mornings to larger seasonal events.

Orchid Island emphasizes a quieter stretch of private beach and easy access to the lagoon for kayaking and paddleboarding. The feel is low-key and woven into everyday life, which many buyers value for its simplicity.

Racquets and pickleball

John’s Island runs a broad racquets program with 17 Har-Tru clay tennis courts, multiple pickleball courts, air-conditioned North American squash courts, and croquet lawns. That variety supports daily clinics, inter-club play, and multi-sport schedules.

Orchid Island has invested in a modern, concentrated 2.2-acre Sports Complex with multiple pickleball courts, Har-Tru tennis courts, and courtside gathering spaces. The emphasis is social, active, and convenient if you like to walk or golf cart from home to your clinic or match. 

Fitness, spa, and social programming

Both clubs operate fitness and wellness centers along with spa services. John’s Island’s scale supports a broader calendar of structured offerings, including lectures, multi-room dining, and robust seasonal programming. Orchid Island highlights wellness, beach events, and courtside socials that are easy to plug into without over-scheduling. The result is two different daily rhythms. John’s Island fits you if you like to choose from many scheduled options. Orchid Island fits you if you prefer a smaller amenity filled ocean to river community.

Architecture and vibe

John’s Island style

John’s Island communicates a classically elegant tone, with English and Georgian architectural references across many neighborhoods. Formal club rooms and staged dining spaces pair with traditional design elements. This setting works well if you enjoy classic architecture and a range of casual and formal dining experiences.

Orchid Island style

Orchid Island favors West Indies-inspired architecture with breezy verandas and a relaxed coastal scale. The club often describes the tone as easygoing and unpretentious. Common areas feel open and social, which supports courtside gatherings and casual beachfront dining.

How it feels day to day

On John’s Island, a larger membership makes it easy to find interest groups, from lecture series to club tournaments and family programming. On Orchid Island, the close-knit size means you tend to see the same friends at the beach, on the course, and at the courts, which many people appreciate for its simplicity and comfort.

Practical buying checklist

Use this quick checklist to move from browsing to confident decision-making.

• Membership model and cost. Both clubs are member-owned, and full access generally requires membership. Initiation fees and dues change.
• Ownership format and fees. Condos, cottages, and village townhomes may include association maintenance and dues. Single-family estates offer fee-simple ownership but carry private maintenance responsibilities. Confirm HOA scope and fees for each home you consider.
• Flood zone, elevation, and insurance. Both communities sit on the barrier island. Look up each address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, request elevation certificates, and review insurance options early since flood and wind coverage affect carrying costs and lending.
• Access and travel. Confirm vehicle and guest access rules, seasonal traffic patterns along A1A, and your preferred airport connections. Visitor policies and parking vary by club.
• Personal fit. If you want three distinct golf courses, a very large Beach Club, and a broad calendar, put John’s Island at the top of your list. If you want a smaller, ocean-focused island experience with a compact courts hub and easy, walkable routines, focus on Orchid Island.

Which one is right for you?

Choose John’s Island if you want breadth. You will have three championship golf courses, 17 Har-Tru courts with squash and croquet, a large Beach Club with multiple venues, and many housing formats from oceanfront condos to estates. The scale gives you options every day.

Choose Orchid Island if you want intimacy. You will live in a finished, limited-supply community with an Arnold Palmer championship course, more than a mile of private beach, and a concentrated Sports Complex that makes courtside social life seamless. The smaller footprint supports a close, walkable island lifestyle. Plus personal golf carts are permitted.

Not sure which path fits best? Let’s compare specific homes, club terms, and recent sales so you can see the tradeoffs clearly. When you are ready, Anne & Dan Team will curate options, coordinate club conversations, and guide you from first tour to closing.

FAQs

Which Vero Beach club is better for a serious golfer?

• John’s Island offers three distinct championship courses for daily variety, while Orchid Island centers on a single, walkable Arnold Palmer championship course that anchors a beach-focused routine.

How do the private beaches compare at John’s Island and Orchid Island?

• John’s Island advertises about three miles of private Atlantic frontage with a large Beach Club, while Orchid Island offers more than a mile of private beach with a quieter, more intimate feel.

What are the main differences in racquet sports at the two clubs?

• John’s Island lists 17 Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball, air-conditioned squash courts, and croquet. Orchid Island highlights a modern 2.2-acre Sports Complex with multiple pickleball courts, Har-Tru courts, and courtside gathering spaces.

Do both communities require club membership to use amenities?

• Yes. Both are member-owned clubs, and full access generally requires membership. Initiation fees and dues change, so request current details from each club before you submit an offer.

Will flood zones affect my purchase in either community?

• Likely. These are barrier-island locations, so verify each address on FEMA flood maps, request elevation certificates, and review flood and wind insurance early since coverage can impact financing and annual costs.