A charming, densely built island in Newport Harbor famous for its waterfront boardwalk, Marine Avenue shops, and the frozen banana.
Balboa Island is one of the most beloved and photographed places in Newport Harbor, a small man-made island where cottages sit shoulder to shoulder along a walkable grid. The waterfront boardwalk rings the island with front-row harbor views, and Marine Avenue serves as the village main street, home to the famous Balboa Bars and frozen bananas. The Balboa Island Ferry links the island to the peninsula, and the whole community is compact enough to cross on foot or by bike.
Connect with a Balboa Island agentBalboa Island appeals to buyers who love a walkable, close-knit waterfront community with a strong sense of character. Homes sit close together on compact lots, the boardwalk offers constant harbor views, and Marine Avenue provides village shopping and dining. It is a distinctive lifestyle that many residents treasure, though buyers should expect smaller lots and a lively summer season.
Balboa Island is known for its waterfront boardwalk, Marine Avenue village, the Balboa Island Ferry, and iconic treats like the Balboa Bar and frozen banana. Its tightly built cottages and bayfront homes make it one of Newport Harbor’s most recognizable neighborhoods.
Bayfront homes along the boardwalk often have piers and docks or access to them, which is a major draw for boat owners. Interior-lot buyers typically rely on nearby moorings, marinas, or the harbor’s shared facilities, so a local agent can clarify what dock rights come with a given property.
You can reach Balboa Island by car over the bridge from Marine Avenue or via the Balboa Island Ferry from the peninsula. Once there, most residents get around on foot, by bike, or by golf cart because the island is compact and the streets are narrow.
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