What Is Fisher Island?
Fisher Island is one of Miami’s most exclusive private island communities. It has housing of all types, including mansions and luxury apartments. Along with the homes, there is also an observatory, a private marina, a hotel, and a couple of stores.
The 213-acre island is home to approximately 700 families. The rest of the island has a few restaurants, an EMS, local playgrounds, and more. This makes it one of the most sparsely populated parts of Miami. Fisher Island is also one of the safest places to live in Miami, with virtually no crime.
How Much Do Homes on Fisher Island Cost?
On average, purchasing a home on Fisher Island will cost you $5.7 million. If you want to rent an apartment, you will have to shell out a minimum of $10,000 per month or more.
In other words, Fisher Island is where even the wealthy get priced out pretty quickly.
Can Anybody Live on Fisher Island?
No, not just anybody can live on Fisher Island. It is a private, exclusive community where residency typically requires purchasing property and becoming a member of the Fisher Island Club. Access to the island is restricted to residents, their guests, and club members.
Can You Rent an Airbnb on Fisher Island?
No, you generally cannot rent an Airbnb on Fisher Island. The island has strict rules and regulations regarding rentals, often prohibiting short-term rentals like those typically listed on Airbnb. Access to the island is restricted to property owners, their guests, and members of the Fisher Island Club, making it unlikely for such rentals to be available or allowed.
How Can You Quality for a Fisher Island Apartment?
Qualifying for an apartment on Fisher Island involves several steps due to its exclusive nature:
- Financial Capability: Fisher Island properties are extremely expensive, so you need to have significant financial resources. Real estate prices often range from several million dollars to tens of millions.
- Real Estate Purchase: You must purchase property on the island. This typically involves working with a real estate agent who specializes in Fisher Island properties.
- Membership: Buying property usually comes with the requirement to join the Fisher Island Club, which involves additional fees and approval.
- Background Check: Potential residents often undergo background checks as part of the approval process.
- Approval Process: The purchase and membership applications are subject to approval by the Fisher Island community and the Club's board
How Do You Get to Fisher Island?
Here’s the wild part about this island: there is no way to get there by foot or car. This island is fully detached, so the only way that you can get there is through a ferry, helicopter, or private yacht. More importantly, you have to be invited if you want to get to the island.
Since there is no way to get off the island without a boat, the island is naturally out of reach for people who have no business there. That’s what makes Fisher Island so exclusive and so private.
Who Lives On Fisher Island?
- Oprah Winfrey
- Julia Roberts
- Boris and Barbara Becker
- Karolina Kurkova
- Carolina Wozniacki
- Bharat Desai
- Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft
- Mike Fratello
Oprah Winfrey
Without a doubt, Oprah remains one of Fisher Island’s most well-known celebrities. She’s been a fan of the island for years and loves living it up in her sprawling mansion. Unlike many others on this list, Oprah is a year-round resident.
Julia Roberts
Another one of the most famous people who lives on Fisher Island is Julia Roberts, who was known as America’s Sweetheart. She was an actress who helped define a generation of movies and TV shows. Because she’s so well-known, it’s hard to ignore her need for security and privacy.
It’s not certain when Julia decided to move to Fisher Island, but she is a full-time resident who remains fairly happy with her experience there. Considering her timeless sense of style, we’re sure her home looks stunning.
Boris and Barbara Becker
Boris Becker is most famously known as an international tennis star, but his wife is a celebrity in her own right too. Barbara Becker is a gorgeous model who promotes fitness videos and also boasts her own line of luxury home products.
The couple married in 1991, but they are no longer together. However, that doesn’t mean that they are interested in living too far away from one another. The two both live on the Island, though it is uncertain whether or not they live in the same home.
Karolina Kurkova
If you were a fan of Victoria’s Secret in the 2000s, you might recognize this name. Karolina Kurkova was one of the most prolific Victoria’s Secret models to date. The Czech model also made waves with her outstanding Vogue covers and amazing stage energy.
When she isn’t dazzling on runways, she is acting or working on a line of children’s care products. Needless to say, she definitely earned a right to work her magic in the area.
Caroline Wozniacki
Boris Becker isn’t the only tennis player to serve it up on Fisher Island. Caroline Wozniacki made news headlines for being one of the best tennis players in the world. When she wasn’t showing off her defense at Wimbledon, she was playing amazing matches with top names in the world.
The 33-year-old is a full-time resident of Fisher Island. This makes sense, considering she played her 2022 farewell tour and then promptly hung up her racket. Nowadays, she has tons of time to slip her toes into the sand.
Bharat Desai
Many of the residents featured on this list are household names, especially in the realm of showbiz. Bharat Desai is a name that you may not recognize but should. He’s a billionaire who is the head of Syntel.
He and his wife (who is chairman of Syntel) are a power couple that most people would envy. And with the money they have, it’s not surprising that they chose a place that is as safe and as exclusive as Fisher Island.
Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft
It’s hard to talk about the Hollywood elite without mentioning producer and actor Mel Brooks. His wife, Anne Bancroft, is fairly well-known as well. The power couple regularly got hounded by paparazzi back when they lived on the mainland.
Considering their wealth and how tired they must be of all the paparazzi, it’s not a shock to hear they lived on the island for quite some time. Whether they are still there remains to be seen. They’ve been yearning for privacy for ages.
Mike Fratello
Finally, rounding out this list is a professional sports coach and commentator, Mike Fratello. He gained his fortune from being the NBA Coach of the Year. While he still has a stint on FOX News, the truth is that he still spends most of his year at his home on Fisher Island—or so it’s said.
Like most other celebrities, it’s hard to know what really goes on with him. That’s the type of privacy Fisher Island affords.
Who Lives on Fisher Island Bottom Line?
Fisher Island has become a favorite among the ultra-wealthy, particularly those who want to flee the high tax rates of states like New York and California. In recent years, more people have also made it their primary residence. However, not everyone can move to Fisher Island. In order to qualify for a property in this exclusive island, you need to have enough finances, a good reputation, a good background check, and approval of access from Fisher Island members.