Williams Island vs. Turnberry Isle: The Detailed, Side-by-Side Breakdown
By Leon Damjanovic, REALTOR® — Polaris Advisors · · 12 min read · 2100 words
Category: Market Insights · Tags: comparison, turnberry-isle, aventura, market, luxury-condos, head-to-head
We get this question at least once a week: "Williams Island or Turnberry Isle?" It's a fair comparison. They're both gated, both on the water, both carry genuine prestige in Aventura. But after closing deals in both communities for over a decade, I can tell you they're different animals. Here's how they actually stack up, category by category, with real numbers.
Last updated: April 2026
The Basics
| Category | Williams Island | Turnberry Isle |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Private island, Aventura FL 33160 | Mainland peninsula, Aventura FL 33180 |
| Acreage | 84 acres | ~300 acres (includes resort/golf) |
| Residential buildings | 13 (9 high-rise, 2 low-rise, 2 amenity) | 4 residential towers |
| Total units | ~2,400 residential | ~700 residential |
| Year range | 1985 to 2013 | 1990s to 2000s |
| Gated entry | Yes, single bridge | Yes, staffed gatehouse |
| Private island | Yes | No |
The acreage difference is misleading. Turnberry's 300 acres includes two 18-hole golf courses and the JW Marriott resort. The actual residential footprint is smaller than Williams Island's. Williams Island's 84 acres is all residential community and amenities.
Building Stock and Price Ranges
This is where the difference gets concrete. Williams Island gives you 13 buildings to choose from, meaning you can enter at $400K in a classic tower or spend $5M+ on a Bellini penthouse. Turnberry has four towers and the pricing is more concentrated at the upper end.
Williams Island Price Ranges (April 2026)
- Entry tier: 1000 Island Blvd, 4000, Mediterranean Village from $400K to $800K
- Mid tier: 2800, 3000, 2000 from $550K to $1.5M
- Premium tier: Résidence du Cap, Villa Marina, Bella Mare, Bellini from $900K to $5M+
- Low-rise: Villa Fiora villas from $1.2M to $4M+
Turnberry Isle Price Ranges (April 2026)
- Entry: Aventura Tower and Fairway Tower from ~$500K to $1.2M
- Mid/Premium: Marina Tower and Soffer at Turnberry from $800K to $3M+
Bottom line: if your budget is under $500K, Turnberry doesn't really have options for you. Williams Island does.
Price Per Square Foot
This is the metric that tells you the most.
| Segment | Williams Island $/sqft | Turnberry Isle $/sqft |
|---|---|---|
| Classic/entry towers | $350 to $500 | $400 to $550 |
| Mid-range | $450 to $650 | $500 to $700 |
| Premium/penthouse | $650 to $1,000+ | $600 to $900+ |
Pretty comparable at the top end. Williams Island's advantage is the low end of the range, you can get waterfront island living at $350/sqft in a classic tower. Turnberry doesn't really go below $400/sqft for anything decent.
HOA Fees: The Real Numbers
Both communities run high HOA fees. It's the nature of full-service waterfront luxury. But the breakdown matters because they cover different things.
| Unit Type | Williams Island HOA | Turnberry Isle HOA |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR (~1,200 sqft) | $1,200 to $2,000/mo | $1,400 to $2,200/mo |
| 2BR (~2,000 sqft) | $2,000 to $3,500/mo | $2,200 to $3,800/mo |
| 3BR+ (~3,000+ sqft) | $3,000 to $6,000+/mo | $3,200 to $5,500+/mo |
Roughly similar ranges. Williams Island HOA typically includes 24-hour security, building pool, gym, cable, common area maintenance. Club fees and food/beverage minimums are separate. Turnberry's HOA includes building amenities plus access to the resort amenity package, though golf has separate fees.
One thing I always tell buyers: don't compare HOA numbers in isolation. Look at what's included. A $3,000/month HOA that covers security, water, cable, insurance, and full amenity access is different from a $2,000/month fee that doesn't include half of that.
Amenities: Head-to-Head
This is the category where the communities diverge most.
| Amenity | Williams Island | Turnberry Isle |
|---|---|---|
| Private club | Yes, residents-only | Shared with resort guests |
| Golf | No | Yes, two 18-hole courses |
| Marina | Full-service, up to 100-ft boats | Limited dock access |
| Tennis courts | 10 courts (clay + hard) | Limited courts |
| Pickleball | Yes | Yes |
| Resort pools | Community pool complex + building pools | Tidal Cove waterpark + building pools |
| Spa | Full-service at Club | Full-service at resort |
| Fine dining | Club restaurant, Olea poolside | Resort restaurants (multiple) |
| Fitness center | Club + every building | Resort + building |
| Concierge | Building-level (premium towers) | Resort-level |
If you golf, Turnberry wins. Full stop. Two Raymond Floyd-designed 18-hole courses that you can walk to from your building. Williams Island doesn't have golf and never will, there's no land for it.
If you boat, Williams Island wins. The private marina accommodates vessels up to 100 feet with direct Intracoastal access. From there you can reach Biscayne Bay, the Keys, the Bahamas. Turnberry has limited dock access but nothing comparable.
If tennis is your thing, Williams Island's 10 courts versus Turnberry's limited facilities isn't close.
The club distinction is subtle but it matters to a lot of people. Williams Island's club is residents-only. No hotel guests, no day visitors, no conventions. Turnberry's amenities are integrated with the JW Marriott, which means you're sharing pools and restaurants with resort guests. Some people like that energy. Others don't.
Pets
Williams Island is generally more pet-friendly. Several buildings welcome large dogs: Bella Mare, Bellini, 2000, Villa Fiora, Mediterranean Village. Classic towers have building-specific weight limits, usually 20 to 35 lbs.
Turnberry's pet policies are more restrictive across the board. If you've got a 60-pound golden retriever, your options at Turnberry are limited. Williams Island gives you five or six buildings to consider.
Rental Rules
Neither community allows Airbnb or short-term rentals. Both require minimum 6-month to 1-year leases with board approval. Turnberry tends to have slightly stricter rental caps. Williams Island's rules vary by building, which means some buildings are more investor-friendly than others. 1000 Island Blvd and the classic towers have historically been more accommodating for annual leases.
The "Feel" Factor
This is harder to put in a table, but it's what most buyers end up deciding on.
Williams Island feels like a private village. You cross the bridge, the gate closes behind you, and you're on an island. The Club is your clubhouse, the marina is your waterfront, the pool complex is your backyard. There's no hotel energy, no tourists. It's quiet in a way that luxury buildings on the mainland just aren't.
Turnberry feels connected to a larger luxury ecosystem. The resort brings energy, dining options, events. If you like having a full-service hotel experience baked into your residential life, it's attractive. The golf courses are beautiful. The waterpark is great for families with young kids.
In our experience, buyers who prioritize privacy and self-containment end up at Williams Island. Buyers who want hotel-style convenience and golf end up at Turnberry. Neither is wrong.
The Verdict
There's no universal "better" here. It depends on what you care about:
- Choose Williams Island if: you want island seclusion, boating access, tennis, a residents-only club, and a wider range of buildings and price points.
- Choose Turnberry if: you're a golfer, you like resort-integrated living, and you prefer a smaller, more focused community.
- Budget under $500K? Williams Island is your only realistic option between the two.
- Large dog? Williams Island has more buildings that'll work for you.
We work in both communities and we'll tell you honestly which one fits. That's kind of the point. If you're weighing the two, reach out and we'll walk through the specifics of your situation. For the full Williams Island overview, start with our community guide.