One local hot-spot well known in the boating community that is hitting the news over the past few years, has gone by a few names. You might have originally heard it calledBeer Can Island if you’ve been around long enough… Or Pine Key if you’re newer to the area. Or even yet, depending on how ingrained in the house music community you might be, you may have heard of the property referred to as High Tide Island.
Whatever you refer to the shrinking island as, there recently has been a lot of buzz surrounding this island. Beer Can Island is currently closed to the public and is for sale for 14.2 million dollars. The popular party spot has been experiencing some massive changes. With all these changes, and the island under threat, many have been wondering what the future is for this area. Let’s take a closer look:
Tampa’s Premier Party Island Is For Sale… Again
The notorious island located seven miles south of Davis Island in Tampa, FL is for sale… but this time at a much higher price tag! The island itself sits between Apollo Beach and MacDill Airforce Base and has for years been a popular stop off for boats coasting around the area. Recently, it hit the market for an unbelievable price tag of $14.2 million! Many were shocked by the massive costs, but there is even more to this story than meets the eye.
The island itself is nine acres in total, but it also has 60 acres of land submerged underwater. What makes it stand out from a lot of other islands in the area is that it is only of the few that are privately owned, having been purchased in 2017 by a group of friends. Back then, they paid only $64,000 for the island – a tiny price tag in comparison to the asking price this year.
To be fair to the friends Cole Weaver, Johnny Gadd, James West and Russell Loomis, they have significantly upgraded the island since they first bought it. Over the years they have added amenities that have made it the perfect party destination. This includes water slides, tiki bars and bathrooms for any visitors. Many visitors purchased membership access to these facilities if they were regulars to the Tampa Bay area.
However, despite these improvements to Beer Can Island, it has faced some significant challenges.
Pine Key (Beer Can Island ) Faces Legal, Environmental, & Zoning Challenges
Firstly, there were the legal challenges, with many Hillsborough County residents raising concerns that the island was not safe and breaking a number of codes. Part of these violations are linked to the fact that the island is not zoned so should not be developed until this issue is rectified.
Instead, many suggested it become a nature preserve to help look after local wildlife – ruining any plans for potential future party-goers.
But that isn’t the only issue the island has faced in recent years. Florida has been hit with a number of storms and hurricanes. The last hurricane – Hurricane Idalia did some lasting damage to the island with many reporting a lot of it was leftsubmerged under five feet of water. The land itself has been decreasing over recent years too – with it reducing at least 14 acres between 2007 and 2023.
Experts believe that this erosion is due to constant waves which are exacerbated by the passing of large ships through the nearby shipping channels.
Rumor has it that the county has paused their deliverance of sediment to the island, which initially formed the backbone of the island we know today, due to the ongoing zoning disputes with Hillsborough County.
This has led to the current owners trying to come up with some creative ideas on how to save it.
The (Never-Ending) Battle to Save Beer Can Island
To try and raise money to help save the dwindling island, the owners tried to raise awareness and asked fordonations via the GoFundMe platform. The goal of the GoFundMe was to raise around half a million dollars to try and protect the existing land and expand it to recapture some of the lost land.
The owners contacted engineers to construct plans on how to save the island but the campaign itself has so far not raised the money needed.
While some of the local community is on board with this, and the campaign has garnered media attention, it has only managed to raise just over $1,000 for their goal. The final amount is a long way off. With further support, Beer Can Island could still be saved, but it would take a lot of money and a lot of effort to reach this position if local funding is to be the solution.
The owners want to protect this picturesque area so that more people can enjoy the sandy beach in this idyllic setting – just like they have in years gone by.
Beer Can Island - Potential Nature Preserve
While some people love the island for its parties and excellent location, it is also an important place for nature. The island itself has a unique ecosystem where a number of rare plants and animals reside. The beaches are a great spot for sea turtles to nest at certain points within the year, and many birds also frequent the island.
By taking action to protect Beer Can Island, we're not just saving a piece of land - we're making a commitment to environmental conservation. It's a chance to show that we value our natural resources and are willing to fight to preserve them. But does preserving the nature conflict with the party image that the island has established? There might only be space for one or the other.
A Legacy at Risk: What’s Next for Beer Can Island?
Beer Can Island is a firm favourite in the eyes of Tampa Bay party-goers and explorers alike. It is a symbol of exploration, freedom and a chilled-out lifestyle that many love and appreciate. There is still some hope that a large donor or big campaign push will raise the funds needed. The island is currently for sale and is aimed at“corporations and international investors seeking a unique retreat,” however the 14.2 million dollar price tag may be a bit ambitious. With the island being within the hearts of so many, its spirit will live on, regardless of its future.