Choosing between The Moorings and John’s Island can feel like comparing two great versions of the same dream. You want the right blend of golf, boating, social life, and low-maintenance living, without surprises on fees or access. This guide helps you focus on what matters most, so you can tour each community with clarity and choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Both communities at a glance
Both The Moorings and John’s Island are private, HOA-governed enclaves in the Vero Beach area of Indian River County. You can expect coastal living, strong community security, and a club-centered lifestyle. Each offers social programming, dining, fitness, racquet sports, and outdoor recreation. The differences that matter most come down to golf access, marina capabilities, housing types, membership structure, and total cost of ownership.
Start with your lifestyle priorities
Before you compare specifics, rank these lifestyle goals:
- Daily access to private golf and practice facilities
- On-site boating with deep water access and services
- A busy social calendar and multiple dining venues
- Low-maintenance ownership for seasonal use
- Privacy, architectural consistency, and estate-style living
Your top three will shape which community feels like home.
Golf: Access, variety, and programming
When golf is a primary driver, look beyond the scorecard and focus on usability.
- Tee time flexibility: Ask about member reservation windows, typical tee availability, and pace of play. If you plan to play several times a week, you want reliable access.
- Course quantity and quality: Verify the number of holes, course type, recent renovations, and practice facilities. A strong instruction program and tournament calendar can elevate your experience.
- Guest and reciprocal play: Confirm guest policies and whether there are reciprocal privileges with other clubs during peak season.
What to compare on your tours:
- Number of courses and practice areas
- Maintenance schedule and typical downtime
- Instruction, clinics, and member competitions
Boating: Marina depth and ocean access
For serious boaters, marina specs and policies make or break the choice.
- Waterway and route: Confirm the waterway location on the Indian River Lagoon/Intracoastal Waterway and the travel time to the nearest inlet for ocean access.
- Slip inventory and depth: Ask about the number of slips, maximum vessel size, and depth at mean low water. Check for fuel, pump-out, and service options.
- Policies and waitlists: Verify slip assignment and waitlist procedures, guest moorage, shore power, and hurricane dockage protocols.
What to compare on your tours:
- Depth to the slips and bridge clearances
- Fuel, pump-out, and on-site service availability
- Member priority, waitlists, and guest access rules
Social life and dining
The feel of the club can be just as important as the facilities.
- Clubhouse and venues: Note the number of dining spaces, casual vs fine dining options, and private rooms for events.
- Event calendar: Ask about frequency and variety of member events throughout the year, including seasonal highlights.
- Wellness and racquet: Compare fitness centers, classes, tennis and pickleball court counts, and professional staff support.
What to compare on your tours:
- Dining variety and reservation ease
- Seasonal social programming
- Fitness, spa, and racquet offerings
Housing and architectural controls
Your ideal home type often guides the community choice.
- Product mix: Look for estate lots and custom homes, villas, condos, or coach homes. Consider whether you prefer single-family privacy or a lock-and-leave condo.
- Ownership model: Confirm fee simple vs condominium ownership, and review HOA documents for maintenance coverage.
- Architectural review: Ask about architectural review board standards, height limits, approved materials, and color palettes. Strict guidelines often preserve long-term aesthetics.
What to compare on your tours:
- Typical lot sizes and setbacks for waterfront vs inland homes
- Exterior maintenance coverage for condos or villas
- ARB guidelines and approval timelines
Membership structure and governance
Membership can influence both your lifestyle and your budget.
- Mandatory vs optional: Confirm whether club membership is required with property ownership and which membership types are available to buyers.
- Equity and transferability: Ask if memberships are equity or non-equity, whether they transfer with the property, and any voting rights.
- Dues and minimums: Verify initiation fees, monthly dues, food and beverage minimums, and historical capital assessments.
What to compare on your tours:
- Membership categories and privileges
- Transfer policies and resale considerations
- Governance model and member representation
Costs and resale considerations
Know your full carrying costs upfront.
- HOA fees: Understand what is included, from landscaping to private roads and security.
- Club costs: Confirm initiation fees, recurring dues, and any minimums. Ask about assessment history and reserve planning.
- Financing: If you are considering a condo or membership-linked purchase, ask about lender requirements and potential restrictions.
What to compare on your tours:
- All-in monthly and annual costs by property type
- Past assessments and reserve studies
- Typical days on market and demand for similar homes
Location, access, and services
Daily convenience matters, especially for full-time residents.
- Proximity: Check distance to groceries, healthcare, and essentials. Nearby airports include Vero Beach Regional Airport, with Melbourne Orlando (MLB) and Orlando International (MCO) as alternatives.
- Security and entry: Confirm the number of gates and guest check-in procedures.
- Resiliency: Ask about hurricane readiness, including gate power backup and community procedures.
What to compare on your tours:
- Drive times to daily needs and healthcare
- Gate access and guest protocols
- Storm preparation and infrastructure
Side-by-side tour checklist
Bring this to both The Moorings and John’s Island so you can compare apples to apples.
For The Moorings
- Golf: Courses, tee time access, instruction, and practice facilities
- Marina: Slip availability, depth at mean low water, fuel and service, guest moorage
- Social: Dining venues, event calendar, fitness and racquet offerings
- Housing: Product mix, exterior maintenance coverage, ARB standards
- Membership: Mandatory vs optional, categories, dues, transferability
- Costs: HOA inclusions, club dues, food minimums, assessment history
- Location: Gate access, proximity to services, hurricane procedures
For John’s Island
- Golf: Courses, tee time access, instruction, and practice facilities
- Marina: Slip availability, depth at mean low water, fuel and service, guest moorage
- Social: Dining venues, event calendar, fitness and racquet offerings
- Housing: Product mix, exterior maintenance coverage, ARB standards
- Membership: Mandatory vs optional, categories, dues, transferability
- Costs: HOA inclusions, club dues, food minimums, assessment history
- Location: Gate access, proximity to services, hurricane procedures
How to choose with confidence
Use your top priorities to break ties. If daily golf is essential, prioritize the club with multiple courses, flexible tee windows, and a strong tournament and instruction program. If boating drives your lifestyle, weigh depth, slip availability, and services like fuel and pump-out. For a robust social life, focus on the breadth of dining venues and year-round events. If you want a part-time, low-maintenance home, look for condos or villas with exterior maintenance included and optional social memberships.
A great next step is a same-day, side-by-side tour that compares tee access, marina depth, dining variety, and total costs. You will quickly see which community matches your daily rhythm.
Work with a local advisor who knows both
You deserve a clear, fact-based comparison with no surprises. Our team can request current membership brochures, confirm marina and golf details, and prepare an all-in cost outline by property type. We also help you structure a side-by-side tour, review ARB guidelines, and discuss financing considerations before you write an offer. Ready to compare The Moorings and John’s Island with confidence? Connect with Vero Premier Properties for a private consultation.
FAQs
What should I verify about golf access at both clubs?
- Ask about the number of holes, tee time reservation windows, practice facilities, instruction programs, guest policies, and maintenance schedules.
How do I compare boating at The Moorings and John’s Island?
- Confirm slip counts and sizes, depth at mean low water, fuel and pump-out availability, waitlists, guest moorage policies, and travel time to the nearest inlet.
Are memberships mandatory for homeowners in either community?
- It varies by membership category and property; verify whether club membership is mandatory or optional, the types offered, initiation fees, and transferability.
What housing options should I expect to find?
- You will typically see a mix that can include estate homes, villas, condos, or coach homes; confirm maintenance coverage, ownership type, and ARB guidelines.
What ongoing costs should I budget for?
- Plan for HOA dues, potential club initiation fees, monthly or quarterly dues, food and beverage minimums, and be sure to ask about historical assessments.
How close are these communities to daily services and airports?
- Verify drive times to groceries and healthcare, and consider Vero Beach Regional Airport, with Melbourne Orlando and Orlando International as alternatives for flights.
