Neighborhood guide, South Tampa
Davis Islands is a pair of man-made islands at the mouth of the Hillsborough River, connected to South Tampa by bridges off Bayshore Boulevard. It combines a 1920s planned community with some of Tampa's most valuable open-bay waterfront, plus its own village, marina, yacht club, and small airport.
Davis Islands is one of the neighborhoods in South Tampa.
Developed by D.P. Davis in the 1920s, Davis Islands was planned as a Mediterranean Revival resort community and still shows it in its curving streets, original apartment buildings, and tile-roofed homes. Today it is one of the two or three most sought-after addresses in Tampa for waterfront, with open-bay frontage on the east and south shores, canal frontage in the interior, and Tampa General Hospital anchoring the northern tip.
The island has its own commercial village along East Davis Boulevard with restaurants, a grocery, and services, so many residents rarely need to leave for daily errands. Davis Islands Yacht Club, the public marina and boat ramp, Peter O. Knight Airport, a dog beach, and Marjorie Park cluster at the southern end. Downtown is five minutes across the bridge, and Hyde Park Village is about the same. Tampa General Hospital sits at the island’s entrance.
Waterfront type sets the price here more than anywhere else in South Tampa. Open-bay lots on the eastern and southern shores command the highest prices in the neighborhood, followed by deep-water canal lots with dock and lift access, then interior streets. Because the islands are low-lying, FEMA flood zone, elevation, and seawall condition are part of every conversation, and much of the recent new construction is elevated. Original 1920s homes that have been carefully renovated carry a premium of their own. The key-facts table above shows current Davis Islands figures from Stellar MLS.
Two islands south of downtown Tampa between the Hillsborough River channel, Seddon Channel, and Hillsborough Bay, reached by the Davis Islands Bridge from Bayshore Boulevard near Tampa General Hospital. East Davis Boulevard and West Davis Boulevard are the main loops.
A mix of 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes and apartment buildings from the original development, mid-century ranch homes on the interior and canal streets, and a large and growing share of new construction, much of it elevated to current flood standards. Waterfront is divided between open-bay frontage on the outer shores and canal frontage on the interior waterways. Lots are generally 60 to 100 feet wide, with some larger estate parcels on the bay.
Davis Islands Village on East Davis Boulevard; Davis Islands Yacht Club; public marina and boat ramp; Peter O. Knight Airport; Marjorie Park and the dog beach; Tampa General Hospital; downtown Tampa and the Riverwalk, about five minutes; Hyde Park Village; Bayshore Boulevard; Tampa International Airport, typically 15 to 20 minutes.
Loads Google Maps.
Open-bay homes on the eastern and southern shores face Hillsborough Bay directly and carry the highest prices on the island. Canal homes sit on protected interior waterways with dock and lift access; value depends on water depth and bridge clearance to the bay.
The islands are low-lying and most of the neighborhood sits in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood zone, elevation certificate, seawall condition, and insurance quotes should be reviewed early on any purchase, and much of the recent construction is built to elevated standards.
Yes. Peter O. Knight Airport at the southern tip serves general aviation. Buyers sensitive to small-aircraft noise should visit at different times of day, especially on the southern streets.
The key-facts table is pulled from Stellar MLS and shows the month it was updated. Because open-bay, canal, and interior homes price so differently, a specific property needs a direct valuation.
Get a valuation built from recent nearby sales, prepared by Shane.
