Hammock Dunes vs. Hammock Beach: Which Palm Coast Oceanfront Community Is Right for You?

They sit side by side on the barrier island in Palm Coast, the names are almost identical, and buyers mix them up constantly. But Hammock Dunes and Hammock Beach offer very different lifestyles. One is a quiet, private residential community. The other is built around a full-service resort. Here is how they compare.

Hammock Dunes & Hammock Beach At a Glance

Feel. Hammock Dunes is private, residential and quiet. Hammock Beach has resort energy, with more activity and a social, amenity-rich atmosphere.

Waterfront. Hammock Dunes has about 2.5 miles of oceanfront and more than 5 miles along the Intracoastal Waterway. Hammock Beach offers an oceanfront resort and golf, with the Yacht Harbor Village marina nearby.

Golf. Hammock Dunes is home to the Hammock Dunes Club. Hammock Beach has two signature courses, the Jack Nicklaus Ocean Course and the Tom Watson Conservatory Course.

Club membership. At Hammock Dunes, joining the club is optional. At Hammock Beach, membership is required to use the resort amenities.

Home types. Hammock Dunes offers estate homes, oceanfront and Intracoastal homes, condos, villas and carriage homes. Hammock Beach offers oceanfront condos, golf villas and single-family homes.

Hammock Dunes: Private and Residential

Hammock Dunes is a private, gated, oceanfront golf community with about 1,220 properties. It has roughly 2.5 miles of oceanfront and more than 5 miles along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Hammock Dunes Owners' Association runs the gatehouses and enforces architectural standards, which keeps the community looking consistent.

Joining the Hammock Dunes Club is optional. The Club has been recognized as both a Platinum Club of America and a Distinguished Emerald Club of the World.

Who Hammock Dunes Is Best For

Full-time residents and second-home owners who want privacy, quiet streets and a residential feel, with the ocean and golf close by.

Popular Hammock Dunes Choices

Casa Bella carriage homes with one residence per floor and private garages, Le Jardin, Savona, Portofino, Tuscany and Viscaya, plus oceanfront and Intracoastal estate homes.

Hammock Beach: Resort Living

Hammock Beach is built around Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, a AAA Four Diamond resort. It has two signature courses, the Jack Nicklaus Ocean Course and the Tom Watson Conservatory Course, plus resort pools, a spa, tennis and several restaurants. Resort amenities require a Club at Hammock Beach membership.

Some residences, including the Villas at Hammock Beach, are also rented to resort guests. For some buyers that means rental potential. For others, it means more activity than they want.

Who Hammock Beach Is Best For

Golfers, families and buyers who want restaurants, pools and activities steps from home, and investors interested in resort-area rentals.

Popular Hammock Beach Choices

The Villas at Hammock Beach, 116 low-rise golf condos between the Ocean Course fairways, the Hammock Beach Club condos, and single-family homes.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose

Do I want quiet or activity?

This is the biggest difference between the two.

What will club membership cost me?

Initiation and dues change, so get current numbers from each club.

Will I rent it out?

Rental rules vary by community and by condo association. Confirm them before you buy.

Ocean, Intracoastal or golf view?

Both communities offer a range of views at very different price points.

What are my total monthly costs?

Add the master association, condo association, club dues, insurance and taxes.

The Bottom Line

If you want privacy and a neighborhood feel, start with Hammock Dunes. If you want a resort lifestyle and top-tier golf outside your door, start with Hammock Beach. Many of our buyers tour both in one day, and the right choice becomes obvious fast.

Want to see both? Call The Landmark Group at (386) 338-3908 to schedule a tour, or browse Hammock Dunes homes and Hammock Beach homes.

Sources: Hammock Dunes Owners' Association; Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa; Cinnamon Beach Realty community profile.