The Beachcomber: Gulf-Front Condo Living on Venice Beach

by Hunt Brothers Realty

The Beachcomber in Venice is an 18-unit Gulf-front condominium community at 720 Golden Beach Boulevard on Venice Island in Venice, Florida. Built in 1968, this low-rise beachfront property combines direct Gulf access with an Old Florida resort atmosphere, a heated swimming pool, Gulf views from most units and an established vacation-rental operation. Residences range from compact efficiency units to larger three-bedroom condos, creating a notably different experience from the taller condominium buildings elsewhere on Venice Island. For buyers, the combination of direct beachfront living and short-term rental activity makes association rules, insurance, rental eligibility, building condition and current ownership costs especially important to verify.

Quick Answers About The Beachcomber in Venice

Where Is The Beachcomber Located?

The Beachcomber is located at 720 Golden Beach Boulevard, Venice, FL 34285, on Venice Island. The property sits directly along the Gulf of Mexico south of the main Venice Beach public access area and north of the Venice Fishing Pier area.

Is The Beachcomber Directly on the Gulf?

Yes. The Beachcomber is a true Gulf-front property with private beach access. The official community website identifies direct Gulf frontage as one of the property's defining features.

How Many Condos Are at The Beachcomber?

The Beachcomber contains 18 individually owned condominium residences. The official property website and Sarasota County-derived property records both identify 18 units at 720 Golden Beach Boulevard.

When Was The Beachcomber Built?

Property records identify 1968 as the construction year. Beachcomber Apartments Association, Inc., A Condominium was also organized in 1968 and remains active in Florida corporate records.

What Types of Condos Are Available?

The official rental program identifies efficiency, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom accommodations. Documented residences vary considerably in size, including compact units around 348 to 398 square feet and a three-bedroom residence of approximately 1,143 square feet.

Does The Beachcomber Have a Pool?

Yes. The Beachcomber has a heated outdoor swimming pool. Other official amenities include private beach access, shuffleboard, a tiki hut, barbecue grills, common laundry facilities and a lobby or lounge.

Can Beachcomber Condos Be Used as Vacation Rentals?

The Beachcomber currently operates an established vacation-rental program, and its official website markets stays with a three-night minimum as well as weekly and monthly accommodations. Buyers should verify the rental rights of the specific condominium, current association rules, local requirements, licensing, taxes, insurance and financing before purchasing for rental use.

Are Pets Allowed at The Beachcomber?

The official Beachcomber website currently states that pets are not allowed. Prospective owners should confirm whether the same rule applies to owners, renters and guests under the current condominium documents. Legally required accommodations are governed separately by applicable law.

Where Is The Beachcomber on Venice Island?

The Beachcomber occupies a Gulf-front parcel at 720 Golden Beach Boulevard on the western shoreline of Venice Island. Golden Beach Boulevard is an established coastal residential corridor containing detached homes, villas and condominium communities of several different ages and styles.

The location places residents south of the primary Venice Beach public facilities and north of the Venice Fishing Pier area. Historic Downtown Venice is also nearby, giving owners access to restaurants, boutiques, parks and community destinations without leaving Venice Island.

Buyers comparing the broader coastal market can explore additional Florida Gulf Coast communities with Hunt Brothers Realty.

What Makes The Beachcomber Different From a Typical Beachfront Condo?

The Beachcomber combines condominium ownership with an active resort-style vacation-rental environment. That makes it noticeably different from many Venice Island condominium buildings designed primarily around longer-term residential occupancy.

Its low-rise architecture is another distinction. Instead of a large Gulf-front tower, The Beachcomber consists of smaller-scale residences close to the shoreline. The official property description emphasizes its Old Florida character, with the beach, pool and landscaped outdoor areas forming the center of the experience.

For buyers, this means The Beachcomber should be evaluated both as an established 1968 beachfront condominium and as a property with an existing vacation-accommodation operation.

What Are the Condos at The Beachcomber Like?

The 18 residences at The Beachcomber are not all identical. The official rental program currently includes efficiency, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom configurations.

Documented property records illustrate the range. Unit 7 contains approximately 348 square feet, while several compact units are approximately 398 square feet. Unit 1 is a three-bedroom, two-bath residence of approximately 1,143 square feet according to county-derived property information.

The official property website states that all units except the efficiency offer Gulf views. It also identifies fully equipped kitchens as a community-wide accommodation feature. Interior renovations, furnishings, patios, views and mechanical systems vary by individual residence.

What Amenities Does The Beachcomber Offer?

The Beachcomber's amenities are centered on beachfront recreation and vacation convenience. According to the official property website, current amenities include:

Direct Gulf frontage
Private beach access
Heated outdoor swimming pool
Shuffleboard
Tiki hut with picnic table
Barbecue grills
Lobby and lounge area
Common laundry facilities
Free parking
On-site management
Beach chairs and other recreational equipment for guests

The property is also currently operated as a tobacco-free facility.

What Is Beachfront Living Like at The Beachcomber?

Direct Gulf frontage is The Beachcomber's defining feature. Residents and guests can reach the shoreline from the property without driving to a separate public beach parking area, subject to current access conditions and association rules.

The setting provides opportunities for beach walks, sunset viewing, shell collecting and searching for the fossilized shark teeth associated with Venice-area beaches. Gulf conditions, shoreline width and beach profiles can change with tides, storms and coastal projects.

Buyers should also distinguish convenient private access from legal ownership of the shoreline itself. Questions about condominium boundaries, beach-access rights, easements or title should be verified through recorded documents and, where individualized legal interpretation is required, a qualified Florida real estate attorney or title professional.

Can Owners Rent Their Beachcomber Condos Short Term?

The Beachcomber currently has an active vacation-rental operation. Its official website accepts reservations and markets accommodations with stays as short as three nights, along with weekly and monthly options.

That established rental activity is significant for buyers considering a seasonal residence or vacation-rental property, but it should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every unit can be rented under identical terms indefinitely.

Before purchasing for rental use, verify:

The current condominium declaration and rental amendments
Minimum rental duration
Maximum rental frequency, if applicable
Association registration or approval procedures
On-site management agreements and fees
City of Venice requirements
Applicable state licensing and tax obligations
Insurance requirements
Lender eligibility and condominium project requirements

Rental regulations and tax consequences depend on the property and owner's circumstances. Buyers should verify rental rights with the association and appropriate governmental authorities and consult qualified legal, tax, insurance and lending professionals when individualized guidance is required.

How Much Are Beachcomber Condominium Fees?

A reliable current 2026 association fee schedule was not located in the public records reviewed for this guide. Historical MLS records for selected Beachcomber residences reported condominium assessments around $310 per month, but those records are several years old and should not be used as a current ownership-cost estimate.

Historical listings reported association-funded items including combinations of cable or internet service, common-area expenses, pool maintenance, reserve funding, structural and grounds maintenance, pest control, recreational facilities, sewer, trash and water. The current association budget controls.

Before purchasing, buyers should obtain the current assessment amount, budget, reserve information, insurance documentation, recent meeting minutes, pending or approved special assessments and an estoppel directly through the appropriate association or management process.

What Should Buyers Know About a 1968 Beachfront Condominium?

The Beachcomber dates to 1968, so buyers should evaluate much more than the finishes inside an individual residence. Coastal buildings are exposed to salt, wind, moisture and severe weather, while shared components can create financial obligations for every condominium owner.

Important condominium due diligence may include reviewing:

Current association budget and financial statements
Reserve balances and reserve planning
Master insurance coverage and deductibles
Recent board and owner meeting minutes
Current or proposed special assessments
Roof and exterior maintenance history
Pool and common-area condition
Electrical and plumbing infrastructure
Storm-related repairs and insurance claims
Any structural inspection or reserve requirements applicable under current Florida law

The applicability of specific Florida condominium inspection and reserve requirements depends on the property and current law. Buyers should obtain current association records and consult a qualified Florida real estate attorney, engineer or other appropriate professional when individualized interpretation is necessary.

What Should Buyers Inspect Inside a Beachcomber Condo?

Individual Beachcomber residences have different renovation histories, so an updated kitchen or bathroom does not establish the condition of the rest of the property.

A property-specific inspection may evaluate:

Electrical systems
Plumbing
HVAC equipment
Windows and exterior doors
Moisture or previous water intrusion
Interior finishes and appliances
Storm-protection features
Renovation and permit history

Inspection findings should be evaluated with the appropriate licensed home inspector, contractor, structural engineer or other qualified professional before a buyer makes a purchasing decision requiring technical expertise.

What Should Buyers Know About Flood and Insurance?

Direct Gulf frontage makes flood, wind and coastal insurance central parts of Beachcomber ownership due diligence. Buyers should verify the current flood designation and elevation information for the specific property rather than relying on an older listing or a generalized description of Venice Island.

Condominium buyers should also understand how the association's master insurance policy interacts with individual unit-owner coverage. Important questions include deductibles, exclusions, loss-assessment exposure, interior coverage and whether recent storms produced claims or unrepaired damage.

Insurance availability, coverage and premiums can vary substantially by property and intended use. Buyers should obtain property-specific quotes and review the association's current master coverage with a qualified insurance professional before making a purchasing decision.

How Does The Beachcomber Compare With Nearby Venice Island Condos?

The Beachcomber occupies a part of Venice Island with several Gulf-front communities, but its 18-unit scale and active vacation-rental environment create a distinctive ownership profile.

The Beachcomber vs. MacArthur Beach

MacArthur Beach & Racquet Club is another Gulf-front community on Golden Beach Boulevard. It offers a larger recreational package that includes a heated pool, tennis, shuffleboard and clubhouse facilities. The Beachcomber is smaller and places greater emphasis on its Old Florida resort atmosphere and established vacation-rental operation.

The Beachcomber vs. Venice Villas

Venice Villas is a larger beachfront community with cottage-style residences, compact condominiums, a swimming pool and documented vacation-rental activity. Both properties provide an alternative to conventional Gulf-front towers, but their floor plans, association structures and rental rules should be compared individually.

The Beachcomber vs. Golden Beach Condos

Golden Beach Condominium Residences offers another established low-rise beachfront option on Venice Island. Buyers should compare residence size, views, association expenses, rental flexibility and building condition rather than assuming nearby Gulf-front communities operate under similar rules.

The Beachcomber vs. Gulf Horizons

Gulf Horizons is a 10-story beachfront condominium at 555 The Esplanade North. Its larger two-bedroom floor plans and traditional multistory condominium format contrast sharply with The Beachcomber's smaller low-rise units and vacation-resort character.

Who Might Put The Beachcomber on the Shortlist?

The Beachcomber may be worth investigating when a buyer's property priorities include:

Direct Gulf-front condominium ownership
Private beach access
A small 18-unit community
Low-rise Old Florida character
A heated swimming pool
Efficiency through three-bedroom configurations
Gulf views from most residences
An established vacation-rental operation
On-site management
A Venice Island location near downtown and other coastal attractions

The property may be less aligned with buyers seeking newer construction, large contemporary floor plans, private garages, extensive luxury amenities, pet-friendly ownership or a condominium environment oriented exclusively toward full-time residential use.

Is The Beachcomber Worth Considering?

The Beachcomber represents a distinctive segment of the Venice Island condominium market. Its direct Gulf frontage, only 18 residences, heated pool, private beach access and established vacation-rental operation give it a different character from both large beachfront towers and conventional residential condominiums.

Its 1968 construction and coastal exposure also make thorough due diligence essential. Buyers should understand the condition of the specific residence, association finances, reserves, insurance, building maintenance, storm history, current assessments and rental rules before purchasing.

For buyers interested in a compact Gulf-front residence with classic Florida character and documented vacation-rental activity, The Beachcomber can be a worthwhile Venice Island property to investigate, provided the current association documents and property-specific facts align with the buyer's intended use.

Explore Venice Island Beachfront Condos With Hunt Brothers Realty

Hunt Brothers Realty helps buyers compare Venice Island condominiums according to beachfront location, residence size, rental rules, association expenses, insurance considerations and building condition. Compare The Beachcomber with MacArthur Beach & Racquet Club, Venice Villas, Golden Beach Condos and Gulf Horizons. You can also browse Florida Gulf Coast communities or contact Hunt Brothers Realty to discuss current Venice Island real estate opportunities.

This article provides general real estate and educational information only. Condominium assessments, reserves, insurance, special assessments, rental rights, licensing requirements, taxes, financing eligibility, flood information, pet restrictions, beach-access rights and individual property features can change or vary by residence. Buyers should obtain current condominium and property-specific documents and consult the appropriate licensed real estate professional, condominium association, mortgage lender, insurance agent, home inspector, contractor, engineer, Florida real estate attorney, tax professional, title professional or governmental authority before making decisions requiring individualized guidance.