Private island off Florida coast hits the market for $16M complete with main house, guest quarters, private helipad - all wrapped by turquoise waters

For $16 million, you could buy a sprawling mansion in one of America's wealthiest neighborhoods. Or you could buy an entire island.East Sister Rock Island, a private 6.44-acre speck of land just a quarter-mile off Marathon in the Florida Keys, has hit the market for $16 million.The stunning property offers buyers a secluded tropical escape complete with a home, guest quarters, pool, private helipad and 100-foot deep-water dock. The property was listed on August 12 by Vladimir Rochebrun and Aaron Rosenthal of The Chad Carroll Group at Compass and is being marketed as a rare opportunity to own an entire private island in the heart of the Florida Keys.Surrounded by turquoise water, the property includes approximately 5.8 acres of seabed around the island, giving the owner access to snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding and other watersports right outside the door.At the center of the island is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom main residence with a detached guest house. The listing says the properties together provide more than 5,000 square feet of living and entertaining space, although the MLS records 2,304 square feet of living area for the main residence.There is also a 12-foot-wide wraparound veranda with panoramic ocean views, along with a waterfront pool and spa, tropical landscaping and multiple outdoor entertaining areas. East Sister Rock Island, a private 6.44-acre speck of land just a quarter-mile off Marathon in the Florida Keys, has hit the market for $16 million The home is equipped with a helipad that overlooks the bright blue water of the Florida Keys The listing says the properties together provide more than 5,000 square feet of living and entertaining spaceAnd unlike many remote island retreats, this one is designed to keep functioning miles from the mainland no matter what.East Sister Rock has solar and wind power, battery storage, a backup generator, a desalination system and a large freshwater cistern. A private helipad provides another way in and out, while the deep-water dock offers space for boats.The sale also includes a mainland property at 99 E Ocean Drive with private dock space, giving the buyer a connection to Marathon in addition to their offshore retreat.The island isn't exactly an undiscovered bargain.At $16 million, it is priced at more than five times the average single-family home price in the 33050 ZIP code, where the average is listed at about $2.91 million. Its annual property taxes are about $25,481, according to the listing.Surrounded by turquoise water, the property includes approximately 5.8 acres of seabed around the island, giving the owner access to snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding and other watersports right outside the door.At the center of the island is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom main residence The property also features a guest house There is also a 12-foot-wide wraparound veranda designed to take advantage of panoramic ocean views, along with a waterfront pool and spa The island was previously listed for $11.7 million in February 2021 before eventually coming off the market in 2022. It returned to the market this month at $16 million The property has also been on the market before. It was listed for $11.7 million in February 2021 before eventually coming off the market in 2022.It returned to the market this month at $16 million.For the buyer who can afford it, however, the appeal is less about square footage and more about what is increasingly difficult to buy in the Florida Keys: complete privacy.Best of all, there are no neighbors, no HOA and no need to share the beach.