Neighborhood · Sarasota, Florida
Dolphin Bay
Gated waterfront living on Sarasota's southern bayfront
4
Homes for sale
$1,432,500
Median list price
$723
Avg price / sqft
221
Median days on market
Dolphin Bay is a gated, waterfront community on Sarasota's southern edge, where every active listing sits behind a security gate and near the water. It's the kind of quiet, low-turnover pocket that draws buyers who want boat access and privacy without giving up an easy run into town — and it puts you within reach of the beaches of Lido Key, the shops and restaurants of the Rosemary District, and the broader mix of Sarasota homes for sale.
This is a small, tightly held market. There are just 5 active listings with a median list price of $1,395,000, and only 2 homes have sold in the past 12 months. Expect to pay a premium for the waterfront setting — the average is $690 per square foot — and plan for real negotiating time, since homes here are averaging 186 days on market and sellers are landing about 95% of asking.
Dolphin Bay is a community in Sarasota, Florida.
Quick facts
$1,299,900 – $1.6M price range
1,979 sqft median home
$1,990/mo median HOA
3 sold in 12 months
Drive times
On the market now
Homes for sale in Dolphin Bay
$1,589,000
1280 DOLPHIN BAY WAY UNIT 402, SARASOTA
2 bd · 2 ba · 2,042 sqft
$1,500,000
1280 DOLPHIN BAY WAY UNIT 504, SARASOTA
2 bd · 2 ba · 1,840 sqft
$1,299,900
1260 DOLPHIN BAY WAY UNIT 403, SARASOTA
2 bd · 2 ba · 1,915 sqft
$1,365,000$1,395,000
1260 DOLPHIN BAY WAY UNIT 404, SARASOTA
3 bd · 3 ba · 2,200 sqft
Every active listing inside the Dolphin Bay boundary
Open full map search →Find your fit
Browse Dolphin Bay
By feature — on the live map
The numbers that matter
The Dolphin Bay market
3
Sold, last 12 months
$1,150,000
Median sold price
95%
Sale-to-list ratio
What sellers actually get vs asking
194 days
Median time to sell
Dolphin Bay vs Sarasota
Median list price
Price per sqft
Days on market
Live Stellar MLS data — every listing and closed sale inside the Dolphin Bay boundary. Rolling medians smooth single-month swings in small communities.
For the school run
Schools Dolphin Bay is zoned for
Attendance boundaries overlapping this community — always verify zoning with the district.
What it really costs
Owning here
Owning the median Dolphin Bay home
≈ $10,760/mo
$1,432,500 median · 20% down · 30-yr fixed at 6.9% · taxes/HOA from live listing data · insurance is a Florida estimate.
$1,990/mo
Median HOA
From current listings inside the boundary
Population
644
Median age
72
Median home value
$718,500
Beyond the listings
Living in Dolphin Bay
Lifestyles
Top 3% in the U.S.Wealth Signaling
Interested in the finer things life has to offer, this population wants to display their lifestyle by discussing luxury products. Often references jewelry, cars, and home features.
Culture
Top 4% in the U.S.Sites to See
This population finds the most beautiful sites just by looking up. Sunrise, sunset or sometime in between, these people love to marvel at man-made and natural wonders.
Emotional
Top 5% in the U.S.Heartfelt Sharing
This population is characterized by vulnerability. Looking to unload emotional burdens, activities include confessions, apologies, and long-form posts.
Appearance oriented
Top 5% in the U.S.Trend Trackers
This population lives as fast as the culture. They like to keep up with the latest trends, especially when it comes to apparel and accessories.
Relationships
Top 8% in the U.S.Dating Life
With dating comes highs, lows, and lots of questions. You can find this population talking about dating advice, breakups and how to express their feelings.
Relationships
Top 8% in the U.S.Love & Romance
Love is in the air when this population is present. Includes people expressing their feelings for significant others in special ways. Common activities include anniversaries and date nights.
Straight answers
Dolphin Bay FAQs
Is Dolphin Bay a good place to live?+
It's a strong fit if you want a gated, waterfront setting with a quiet, established feel — all five active listings are both gated and on the water. You're also close to the beaches of Lido Key and central Sarasota, so daily life stays convenient. The trade-off is a very small community with limited turnover, which appeals to buyers who value stability.
Is Dolphin Bay expensive?+
Yes — this is a premium waterfront market where every active listing is priced above $1M. The median list price is $1,395,000, and homes average $690 per square foot, which is well above typical Sarasota pricing. For comparison, more moderate options exist in areas like Arlington Park.
What do homes cost in Dolphin Bay?+
Active listings range from $1,199,000 to $1,589,000, with a median of $1,395,000 on a median home size of 2,042 square feet. Over the past 12 months, the two homes that sold closed at a median of $1,237,500. Expect roughly $690 per square foot for the waterfront setting.
How is the market in Dolphin Bay?+
It's slow and thin — just 5 homes are active and only 2 sold in the past year. Listings are averaging 186 days on market, and sellers are getting about 95% of asking on average. That combination gives serious buyers room to negotiate but also means you may wait for the right home to come available.
What about HOA fees and property taxes?+
Plan for meaningful carrying costs here: the median HOA runs about $1,985 per month, which typically reflects the community's gated, waterfront amenities. Property taxes come in around $12,546 per year at current price levels. Factor both into your monthly budget alongside the purchase price.
Keep exploring
More Sarasota neighborhoods
Neighborhood boundary by edgeAI; listings matched to the polygon. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Stellar MLS.
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