Davis Shores Homes for Sale in St. Augustine, FL

Davis Shores was platted in the 1920s and 1930s on filled land at the north end of Anastasia Island, and the housing stock reflects that long arc: midcentury cottages and ranches, a wave of renovations, and a growing number of teardown-and-rebuild custom homes on the best water lots. The Matanzas River and Salt Run frontage and the private docks are the headline draw, and they are what separate this island address from the rest of the St. Augustine market.

Because water access and position drive so much of the value, the spread here is wide. Inland homes are the more attainable entry onto the island, while direct waterfront with a usable dock commands a large premium. Third-party figures have put recent activity well above the broader St. Augustine market, but those are not NEFAR community statistics, so a specific home should be priced off the closest comparable sales for its exact position rather than a neighborhood average.

Davis Shores spans north and south pockets on the island, each with its own mix of inland and waterfront homes. The choices come down to whether a home is inland or on the water and where it sits relative to the river and Salt Run, not separately named sections. Homes along the water carry the docks and views that define the neighborhood; the inland homes offer a way in without the waterfront premium.

Because this is an island, most of the neighborhood carries coastal flood considerations, and condition and elevation vary widely from home to home. Reviewing the flood zone, insurance, and any dock and seawall condition closely is the central diligence here.

Davis Shores leans on its island setting and its proximity to the historic district for character rather than built community amenities. Surrounded on three sides by water, it has a peaceful, natural feel with quiet streets and wildlife, and the water itself is the amenity: the Matanzas River and Salt Run frontage and the private docks give boaters direct access to the Intracoastal and the Atlantic.

The Bridge of Lions connects the neighborhood to downtown St. Augustine, its restaurants, shops, and bayfront, all a short walk or drive away, while Anastasia State Park and the Atlantic beaches are minutes south on the island. The location pairs an island lifestyle with immediate access to one of the most visited historic districts in the country, with everyday needs along the Anastasia Boulevard and A1A corridor.

Two quiet truths shape value here. The spread between inland and waterfront homes is large, so a home should be priced off comparable sales for its exact water position rather than a neighborhood average. And on a waterfront home, the dock, seawall, and bulkhead carry real cost, so their condition and permitting belong in your diligence alongside the flood zone and the insurance quote before you fall for a water view.

An island address means coastal diligence comes first. Most of Davis Shores carries flood considerations, so pull the FEMA flood designation for the exact address before you write, since two homes a block apart can fall in different zones. A home in a higher-risk zone near the water can cost far more to insure than one on higher ground, so get a bindable flood and homeowners quote during your inspection period and put the real monthly number in your math before you commit.

On a waterfront home, the dock, seawall, and bulkhead are their own inspection. Confirm the condition and the permitting of any dock and shoreline structure, since repairs and permits carry real cost and a failing seawall is a major expense. Verify whether the dock has the water depth you need for your boat at low tide.

St. Augustine and St. Johns County are served by Comcast/Xfinity cable across most addresses and by AT&T, with fiber reaching a growing share of homes; confirm the options at the specific address if working from home matters. Davis Shores generally carries no mandatory HOA and no CDD, so the carrying cost is taxes, insurance, and upkeep rather than association dues. The Florida homestead exemption applies for qualifying primary residences, and the post-sale tax reset means your assessed value resets to just value when you buy, so budget the second-year bill rather than the seller's current one. Confirm the HOA status and any private dock or shoreline restrictions for the specific home before you rely on them.

Most buyers weighing Davis Shores are cross-shopping the other established waterfront pockets around St. Augustine where you can keep a boat and reach the water. Here is the honest shorthand.

The honest verdict: if you want a waterfront island home with a dock and a short walk over the Bridge of Lions to the oldest city, Davis Shores is one of the best fits in St. Augustine. If you want beachside barrier-island living or a marina base, the communities above are the right field to shop, and we will help you weigh the water access against the flood and insurance math.