Balboa Island Homes for Sale & Real Estate

Balboa Island is one of the most charming places to live in Newport Beach: a small, walkable island in Newport Harbor where cottages and modern homes sit side by side, the bayfront boardwalk loops around the water's edge, and Marine Avenue serves as the island's main street. It is also a market where small details make a big difference. Bayfront and interior homes, Big Island and Little Island, original cottages and new builds all sell very differently. The Gomez | Align Group at Douglas Elliman helps buyers and sellers on Balboa Island from our office at 12 Corporate Plaza in Newport Center. For the rest of the city, see our Newport Beach real estate guide.

Balboa Island Market Snapshot (Fall 2026)

On Balboa Island, location on the island matters as much as the house itself:

• Recent sales: 48 homes sold in the 12 months through mid-October 2026, at a median of about $4.03 million.
• Waterfront premium: homes on Bay Front or Grand Canal sold for a median of about $7.1 million, compared with about $3.8 million for homes on interior streets.
• Entry point: in late October 2026, the lowest asking price for a whole home on the island was about $3.5 million.
• Negotiation: the median home sold at about 96% of its original list price.
• Flood insurance: nearly every property on the island is in a high flood-risk area, so get a flood insurance quote before your contingencies expire.
• Property taxes: plan on roughly 1.1% of the purchase price per year. On a $4 million home, that is about $44,000 in the first year.

Want numbers for your street? Ask us for a free pricing analysis based on the closest comparable sales.

Balboa Island Neighborhoods

Big Balboa Island

The main island, sometimes called Big Island, is home to Marine Avenue's shops and restaurants and most of the island's homes. Interior streets offer a quieter setting a short walk from the water.

Little Balboa Island

Across a small bridge to the east, Little Balboa Island has a slightly quieter, all-residential feel, with the same bayfront boardwalk and close-knit atmosphere.

Bayfront Homes

Homes along the bayfront boardwalk enjoy direct harbor views and the most activity, and they command the island's highest prices. Some bayfront owners have access to boat slips or moorings, which can add meaningful value.

Collins Island

Tiny Collins Island, connected to the west end of the main island, has a handful of exclusive waterfront homes.

Living on Balboa Island

• Walkability: coffee, dining, boutiques and the famous frozen bananas and Balboa Bars on Marine Avenue.
• On the water: the bayfront boardwalk, small beaches, kayaking, paddleboarding and boating in Newport Harbor.
• Getting around: the Marine Avenue bridge connects to the mainland, and the Balboa Island Ferry carries cars, bikes and walkers to the Balboa Peninsula.
• Schools: Balboa Island is served by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Always confirm school boundaries for a specific address.

Selling a Balboa Island Home

On Balboa Island, location on the island, lot size, condition and rebuild potential drive price more than anything else. We price from the closest recent island sales, compare bayfront to bayfront and interior to interior, and present the details buyers ask about early, such as flood zone, insurance, permits and remodel history. Your home is marketed through Douglas Elliman's network with professional photography and video. Request a free pricing analysis based on recent Balboa Island sales.

Buying on Balboa Island

Lots are small and homes are close together, so we help you weigh what matters most: bayfront versus interior, original cottage versus new construction, parking and garage access, and rental history if you plan to rent. Before you write an offer, we review flood zone, insurance and permit details with you, along with any coastal or city rules that affect remodeling or rebuilding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Balboa Island part of Newport Beach?

Yes. Balboa Island is a neighborhood of Newport Beach in Newport Harbor, with its own ZIP code, 92662.

How do you get to Balboa Island?

By car or on foot across the Marine Avenue bridge, or on the Balboa Island Ferry from the Balboa Peninsula.

Talk to a Balboa Island Realtor

Call Sahar Moghadam at (949) 948-4783 or Cesar Gomez at (949) 731-4173, or request your free home valuation

Market figures updated November 2026.