Overview
Davis Islands is a set of islands in Hillsborough Bay, developed in the 1920s by D.P. Davis and connected to downtown Tampa by a short bridge. It blends historic Mediterranean Revival homes with newer waterfront estates, and it's one of the closest residential addresses to the arena, downtown and Tampa General Hospital.
The island has its own small village of cafés and shops, a waterfront walking and biking loop, a dog beach, the Davis Island Yacht Club, Marjorie Park Marina and Peter O. Knight Airport for private aviation. For a boater or pilot, the location is hard to match.
Gated access & security
Davis Islands is a public neighborhood with open streets, not a gated community. Security comes from the individual property: gates, cameras, lighting and monitoring. Limited bridge access does keep through-traffic lower than on the mainland.
For crime statistics, rely on official sources: search any address on the LexisNexis Community Crime Map ↗, or check with the local police department or sheriff's office.
Privacy
Waterfront homes are visible from the bay and from boats, and many streets see steady walkers and cyclists. Privacy depends on the lot, walls and landscaping. Interior lots and gated driveways can be more discreet than prominent waterfront corners.
Homes
There's a wide mix: historic homes, new-construction modern estates, townhomes and condos. Waterfront lots with deep-water dockage command a premium.
Lifestyle
Walkable cafés, the water, boating and an easy hop to downtown, Harbour Island, the Riverwalk and South Tampa dining. Game nights at the arena are minutes away.
Flood & insurance
FEMA maps place much of Davis Islands in high-risk coastal flood zones (for example, Zone AE). Elevation, construction date and flood insurance cost vary widely by home. Check each address on the map and get insurance quotes before you make an offer.