Picture stepping from your backyard onto your boat in a calm, freshwater lagoon, then cruising out to the Intracoastal for a sunset run. If that vision speaks to you, Queen’s Harbour Yacht & Country Club may already be on your shortlist. Choosing a gated marina community is a big decision, and the details matter. In this guide, you’ll learn how the lock and harbor work, what club life looks like, the types of homes and costs you should expect, and the key questions to verify before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Queen’s Harbour at a glance
Queen’s Harbour is a large, gated, master-planned community in Jacksonville’s Intracoastal West area. The neighborhood blends an owner-managed community with a private yacht and country club. You get a staffed freshwater lagoon with a lock to the Intracoastal, a private marina, and a full slate of club amenities. The community’s harbor page outlines the lagoon, lock and marina setup.
Homes are primarily custom and semi-custom single-family properties on waterfront, lagoon, fairway, or interior lots. Development began in the early 1990s and continued with newer custom infill through the 2000s and 2010s. Styles and builders vary by street and section, giving you a range of options depending on your priorities.
Who Queen’s Harbour fits
Boaters who value protected access
You want direct, near-ocean boating without keeping your vessel in an exposed marina. The freshwater lagoon is non-tidal and accessed by a staffed lock. The on-site Harbormaster and crew support boaters with operations and guidance, which is a key advantage for many owners. Review the lagoon, lock and marina details to see how this setup supports your boating routine.
Golfers and social members
You prefer a traditional club experience with events, dining, and golf. The 18-hole championship course, designed by Mark McCumber, has hosted notable qualifiers and collegiate events. Course and clubhouse life sit at the heart of the neighborhood. Explore the club’s golf information for course background and events.
Active households seeking amenities
You want a gated neighborhood with tennis and pickleball courts, a 4,000-sq-ft fitness center, a junior Olympic pool with swim programming, playgrounds, and community activities. Queen’s Harbour offers all of this. Check the community amenities overview for a snapshot.
Boating essentials you should know
The lock, hours and planning
The lagoon is accessed through a staffed 110-foot lock with a 120-foot floating dock outside the lock for late returns. This is not a 24/7 automatic lock. Seasonal operating hours are published, and extended hours can be arranged with 24-hour notice and approval. The lock is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Review the posted lock operating hours and keep the Harbormaster’s contact handy.
What this means for you: plan early-morning fishing runs and late-night returns around the schedule, and learn the procedure for extended hours if you need them.
Slips, depth and power at the marina
The private marina has fixed concrete docks and 65 slips, configured for vessels up to about 100 feet depending on slip. The lagoon is non-tidal with average depths typically 8 feet or more, and slips offer 30- and 50-amp power. Slip rental, availability and rates vary for residents. See the marina specifics and Harbormaster contact, and verify slip length, beam and draft before you write an offer.
Private docks, registration and insurance
Private dock modifications require approval, and the Harbormaster sets permitted vessel numbers and sizes for each dock. All vessels in the lagoon must display current state registration and maintain minimum liability insurance. Owners who do not meet requirements may lose lagoon or lock access. Read the community’s private dock usage rules and the registration and insurance requirements.
Practical tip: if you plan to build or modify a dock, budget time and cost for approvals and confirm that the lot’s water depth, orientation and existing structure work for your vessel.
Hurricane and storm policy
For named storms, the Harbormaster secures the lock 6 hours before expected landfall and reopens only after an all-clear. Owners must maintain their own hurricane plans and remain responsible for their vessels and any related damage. In an emergency, staff may add lines or fenders to unattended boats, with costs billed to owners. Review the posted hurricane preparedness policy.
Bottom line: the lagoon offers protection advantages over exposed marinas, but you need a written plan, proper insurance, and awareness of the lock-closure timeline.
Golf, club and amenities
Championship golf and club life
The 18-hole course, designed by Mark McCumber, plays through marsh and woodland and has hosted PGA and FSGA qualifiers along with collegiate events. Learn more about the course on the club’s official golf page.
Membership is optional for homeowners
The country club is operated within the Invited network, and membership is separate from the HOA. Membership is required to use the golf course and several club facilities. Dining or select social events may be available to non-members depending on club policies. For tiers, initiation, and reciprocal benefits, contact the club’s membership office directly.
Courts, fitness, pool and programs
Amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, a 4,000-sq-ft fitness center, a junior Olympic pool and swim team, a multi-use pavilion, playgrounds, and active programming for all ages. You can scan the community amenities overview to see what matches your interests.
Homes, pricing and ongoing costs
Home types and age
You’ll find a mix of waterfront estate homes with private docks, lagoon-front properties, golf-course homes, and interior lots. While most are single-family, there are limited pockets of attached product. Homes range from early-1990s builds to newer custom infill completed in the 2010s.
Typical price bands today
As of February 2026, snapshot data for Queen’s Harbour shows waterfront listings commonly in the low to mid seven figures, with interior and non-waterfront resale homes often in the mid-600s to upper-900s. Recent closings illustrate the spread: many updated interior homes trading roughly in the 600,000 to 1.1 million range, and waterfront or newer custom estates from about 1.25 million to several million depending on size, dock and location. Expect premiums for direct waterfront, private docks and updated condition. Always confirm current prices with a fresh MLS pull at the time you shop.
HOA and membership costs
HOA fees are typically billed quarterly and often range from about 500 to 1,100 dollars per quarter depending on the section and any assessments. The HOA covers community operations like gates and common areas. Country club membership is billed separately and is optional unless you plan to use club facilities. Initiation and dues are not publicly posted, so contact the membership office for current pricing.
Commute and schools
The neighborhood sits in Jacksonville’s Intracoastal West area with convenient drives to Beaches-area destinations, St. Johns Town Center and healthcare hubs like Mayo Clinic. From the community, common boating or day-trip distances listed by the owners include the Mayport inlet at about 8 miles and St. Augustine at roughly 30 miles, though real travel times vary with traffic and conditions. School zoning can vary by address and can change over time. Public records for many addresses have shown Neptune Beach Elementary, Landmark Middle and Sandalwood High. Verify your exact zoning with Duval County before you buy.
Pros and tradeoffs
Standout advantages
- Staffed freshwater lagoon with managed lock and on-site Harbormaster support.
- Private marina with resident slips and a protective setting for many vessels.
- Championship golf, optional club membership, and robust amenities.
- Gated environment with active social and youth programming.
Potential tradeoffs
- Higher base housing costs than many Jacksonville neighborhoods.
- Lock is not open 24/7 without notice, so trip timing matters.
- HOA rules govern docks and exterior changes, plus required vessel insurance.
- Separate club dues if you want full access to golf and country club facilities.
- Possible slip waitlists and fit limits for larger yachts.
Buyer verification checklist
Before you submit an offer, get written answers to these items:
- Marina slip availability, length, beam and draft limits, plus rental terms. Start with the Harbormaster contact on the marina page.
- Current lock operating schedule and the extended-hours request procedure. See the published lock hours.
- Dock status for the property: private dock vs HOA dock, prior approvals and any pending ARB items. Review private dock usage rules.
- Required vessel insurance language and registration on file. See the registration and insurance requirements.
- Country club membership tiers, initiation and monthly dues, and what guest or dining access is allowed without membership. Contact the club’s membership office.
- HOA dues for the specific address, any special assessments, and reserve funding level. Request the latest HOA budget and reserve study during due diligence.
- Exact school zoning for the address with Duval County confirmation.
- Flood zone, elevation and a current flood insurance estimate from your insurance pro.
Next steps
If Queen’s Harbour sounds like a fit, your best move is to pair a fresh MLS market snapshot with on-the-ground insight. We can arrange private tours or secure video walkthroughs if you are out of area, coordinate calls with the Harbormaster and club membership office, and pull the HOA documents you need to feel confident. When you are ready, the Sarah Schwartz Group will help you compare homes, confirm boating logistics, and negotiate a strong outcome.
FAQs
Is Queen’s Harbour Yacht & Country Club good for large yachts?
- The marina lists 65 slips with configurations for vessels up to about 100 feet, non-tidal lagoon depths typically 8 feet or more, and 30/50-amp power. Always verify slip length, beam and draft with the Harbormaster using the marina information.
How does the Queen’s Harbour lock work and when is it open?
- A staffed 110-foot lock connects the freshwater lagoon to the Intracoastal. Hours are seasonal, extended hours require 24-hour notice and approval, and the lock is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check the official lock hours before planning trips.
Do you have to join the country club to live in Queen’s Harbour?
- No. Club membership is optional for homeowners, but it is required to use the golf course and several club facilities. For pricing and benefits, contact the club’s membership team.
What are typical HOA and club costs in Queen’s Harbour?
- HOA fees are commonly billed quarterly and often run about 500 to 1,100 dollars per quarter depending on the section. Country club initiation and dues are separate and not publicly posted, so confirm current figures with the membership office during your home search.
How does Queen’s Harbour handle hurricanes for boats in the lagoon?
- The Harbormaster secures the lock 6 hours before expected landfall and reopens after an all-clear. Owners must have a personal hurricane plan and remain responsible for their vessels. Read the hurricane policy.
Which public schools serve Queen’s Harbour addresses?
- Many addresses in the community have shown Neptune Beach Elementary, Landmark Middle and Sandalwood High in public records, but zoning can vary by address and can change. Verify your specific address with Duval County before you buy.
How close is Queen’s Harbour to beaches and boating destinations?
- The owners’ site lists the Mayport inlet at about 8 miles and St. Augustine at roughly 30 miles from the community, with real drive and run times depending on traffic and conditions. See the community harbor page for context and plan your route accordingly.
