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This Florida island was home to a powerful pirate. Now, it’s up for grabs

7-acre swath goes for cool $50 million

Aerial photo of Black's Island (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)

GULF COUNTY, Fla. – A 7-acre island along Florida’s panhandle has a piratical history — and it’s now on the market for millions.

The island is found in Saint Joesph Bay off the coast of Port St. Joe, and it’s aptly dubbed “Black’s Island” thanks to its former owner, “Black Sam Bellamy.”

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View of Black's Island in Saint Joesph Bay (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)

Bellamy was considered the richest pirate in history, often known as “the Robin Hood of Pirates” thanks to his generosity.

The captain received his moniker due to eschewing fashionable powdered wigs for his own black hair, and he was estimated to have earned around $120 million over the course of his career, according to Forbes.

Despite his fortunes, Bellamy ultimately perished in a shipwreck near what is now Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

But before his untimely death, Bellamy lived on Black’s Island between 1715 and 1717, according to Jon Kohler & Associates.

Nowadays, 26 bungalows can be found on Black's Island (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)

Since then, the island has been converted into a private luxury resort that includes:

  • 26 private one-story waterfront bungalows with 360-degree views
  • a four-story clubhouse common area with indoor dining and games tables
  • a cabana with a bar
  • a pool with sundecks
People hang out along the shoreline with the common-area clubhouse in the background (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)

The owner, developer Scott Seymour, bought the island in 2018 and began remodeling the property before recently renting the bungalows out to guests. He even stocked the island with peacocks, turkeys and other fowl.

In addition, the island’s structures are also hurricane-resistant, having withstood the Category 5 Hurricane Michael in that same year, Seymour told News 6.

But now, the island is on the market for $50 million.

Black's Island features over 3,700 feet of shoreline, along with bungalows and amenities that are connected by a 1,200-foot boardwalk. (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)

However, Seymour explained that he’s also open to selling the individual bungalows. Those go for between $1.5 million and $1.6 million each.

The bungalows are 1,225 square feet with two bedrooms — both of which are outfitted with king-sized beds — a loft area, two bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, dining area, laundry room and private balcony.

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Bungalow interior (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)
Living room area inside the bungalow (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)
Bedroom space inside the bungalow (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)

The island isn’t accessible by land, though it only lies around 10 minutes from the shoreline via boat.

As such, guests can park next to the Black’s Island Hotel and Marina, where ownership comes with a parking space.

A boat off the shore of Black's Island (Photo Credit: Jon Kohler & Associates) (Jon Kohler & Associates)

According to Jon Kohler & Associates, there are also plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and beach volleyball — along with a floating water trampoline.

Two underground electric lines bring power to the island, and there is also a 600-foot-deep well with a private sewer system on the property. To add: internet on the island is described as “exceptional” and provided through satellites.

Those interested in purchasing the island for the hefty $50 million sum can click here for more information.

Alternatively, those interested in buying individual bungalows can click here to get more details.


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