If you picture your ideal Naples day starting with a quiet walk through shaded paths, a mid-morning fitness class, and an easy dinner with neighbors after sunset, Pelican Marsh may already feel familiar. You want a community that blends wellness, nature, and social connection without adding hassle to your daily routine. In this guide, you’ll learn how Pelican Marsh supports an active retirement, from walkability and club life to home types and practical ownership details, so you can decide with confidence. Let’s dive in.
What Pelican Marsh is
Pelican Marsh is a large, gated, master-planned community in North Naples designed around a private golf club, a robust community center, and extensive preserves and walking paths. The master district spans roughly 2,075 acres with more than 3,000 homes across multiple sub-neighborhoods, according to the Pelican Marsh Community Development District. For an active retiree, that scale translates into daily variety and a steady calendar of things to do. Learn more about the community’s footprint and governance at the Pelican Marsh CDD.
The community’s identity centers on an amenity-rich lifestyle with miles of walkways, lakes, and preserved green space that support everyday wellness and casual social encounters. You’ll find a snapshot of those features on the community’s overview page for Pelican Marsh.
Everyday lifestyle for active retirees
Walkability and nature
One of Pelican Marsh’s signatures is its internal path network. Those paths weave through mounded landscape and preserve edges, making morning walks and easy bike rides part of your routine. Community materials highlight the Cocohatchee Strand preserve as a natural backdrop for daily outings. For variety beyond the gates, Collier County’s public Cocohatchee Creek Preserve offers a shell trail and picnic area a short drive away.
Fitness and racquet sports
Pelican Marsh’s community center provides a staffed fitness facility, spa services, and studio classes, so staying active does not require leaving the neighborhood. The club also promotes an active tennis culture with lighted Har-Tru courts and organized programming that ranges from clinics to social play. Explore the community’s wellness and lifestyle programming on the Pelican Marsh lifestyle page.
If pickleball is high on your list, programming exists on site, but the number of dedicated courts has varied in public sources. If this is a deciding factor, plan to confirm current counts and reservation policies with the tennis or community office during your visit.
Golf and club life
At the heart of Pelican Marsh, you’ll find an 18-hole Robert von Hagge championship course and a social scene anchored by dining, events, and year-round member activities. The course holds an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary designation, which adds a nature-forward dimension to daily play. Membership is typically optional for homeowners, which gives you flexibility to choose the level of club engagement that suits your lifestyle.
Social calendar and community
Beyond fitness and golf, Pelican Marsh leans into connection. Residents point to bridge groups, lawn gatherings, classes, and neighborhood association events that make it easy to meet people. Whether you prefer structured activities or casual coffees after a morning walk, the community’s social infrastructure supports both.
Beaches, shopping, and dining
Location matters, and Pelican Marsh makes everyday errands and leisure convenient. Community materials note that Vanderbilt Gulf beaches are under two miles away, and you’re minutes from dining and retail at Mercato. That proximity removes friction from beach days, dinner plans, and spur-of-the-moment outings. See the community overview for key Pelican Marsh location highlights.
Health care access
Access to care is an important factor in retirement planning. Major hospital campuses serve North Naples within typical local drive times, including NCH North Naples, NCH Baker in downtown, and Physicians Regional on Pine Ridge. For an at-a-glance view of emergency locations, check the NCH emergency centers map, then verify exact drive times from your preferred Pelican Marsh gate.
Travel and airports
If you split time between Naples and another home or you entertain frequent visitors, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the main commercial airport for the area and is commonly under an hour’s drive depending on traffic and origin. Private and charter flyers often use Naples Municipal Airport (APF). For a quick orientation to airport choices, see this regional guide to retiring in Naples.
Home options and maintenance
Housing mix at a glance
Pelican Marsh includes low-rise condos, coach homes, attached villas, and single-family residences, including custom and estate homes in smaller enclaves. If you want a low-maintenance, lock-and-leave lifestyle, condos and many villas can be a strong match. If you prefer more space and privacy, single-family options deliver that in exchange for more owner oversight of maintenance.
HOAs and how they work
Pelican Marsh is organized into multiple sub-associations, each with its own rules and services. Some cover exterior painting, roof, landscaping, irrigation, pest control, and building insurance in the monthly or quarterly fee. Others provide more limited services. Before you write an offer, review the master declaration, your specific sub-association bylaws, and recent board minutes. For a feel of how a sub-association presents details, see the resident site for Les Chateaux at Pelican Marsh.
The Pelican Marsh CDD manages certain district-level infrastructure and landscape items. It is wise to understand both HOA and potential CDD assessments as you build your ownership budget. You can confirm governance scope through the Pelican Marsh CDD.
Seasonality and community rhythm
Many residents enjoy Pelican Marsh seasonally, which creates a lively calendar during peak months and quieter summers. If year-round programming is important to you, ask the community office or your sub-association about participation levels beyond season.
Storms, flood, and insurance
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. As with any coastal Florida purchase, consider impact windows or shutters, association storm plans, and your personal preparation strategy.
Flood risk and insurance requirements depend on the property’s FEMA flood designation and your lender. Review the FEMA Flood Map Service Center’s how-to guide to locate the correct panel for an address, then consult an insurance advisor about NFIP or private options.
Is Pelican Marsh a good fit? Pros and considerations
Pros for active retirees
- Amenity rich. You have golf, a staffed fitness center with classes and spa services, an active tennis program, and a full social calendar, all within the gates. Explore facilities on the Pelican Marsh lifestyle page.
- Nature and walkability. Miles of internal paths and preserve edges make daily walks and birdwatching part of everyday life. See the community overview for highlights.
- Beach and shopping proximity. Vanderbilt beaches and Mercato dining are a short drive, which keeps daily living and entertaining simple.
- Low-maintenance options. Many condos and villas include exterior and landscape services in the HOA, which is ideal if you travel frequently.
Considerations to weigh
- Not age restricted. Pelican Marsh is not a 55-plus community. If you want a formally age-restricted setting, you will want to explore other area neighborhoods.
- Community scale. This is a large, gated community. Internal paths are plentiful, but most errands still require a car.
- HOA variance. Services and fees vary by sub-association. Build a line-item budget that includes HOA assessments, any CDD items, and optional club dues if applicable.
- Coastal risk planning. Factor in storm hardening and flood insurance as ongoing ownership considerations.
How to evaluate Pelican Marsh on a visit
Use this targeted checklist to maximize one tour day:
- Confirm the sub-association. Note the exact neighborhood name, monthly or quarterly HOA fee, and what it covers. Request recent financials and board minutes. For reference on how details are shared, review a sub-association site like Les Chateaux.
- Verify fitness and racquet details. Ask about current court counts, reservation policies, clinics, and any recent conversions or additions. Check class schedules at the community center. The Pelican Marsh lifestyle page is a good starting point.
- Clarify golf membership. Confirm membership categories, initiation, and dues, and whether social or dining memberships are available. The course’s Audubon page offers a snapshot of the club’s environmental focus.
- Check flood and storm history. Pull the FEMA flood panel for the address using the FEMA map how-to guide. Ask the HOA about any past storm damage and special assessments.
- Understand seasonality. Ask the sub-association about the proportion of full-time vs seasonal residents and how that affects off-season events and services.
- Map your essentials. From your preferred gate, time the drive to Vanderbilt Beach, Mercato, and the nearest hospital using the NCH emergency centers map. If you travel often, confirm typical drive times to RSW as outlined in this regional guide.
A day in the life at Pelican Marsh
Picture an early stroll along lakeside paths as herons pick their way through the water’s edge. After coffee, you head to the community center for a strength or yoga class, followed by a quick stop at Mercato for lunch and errands. In the afternoon, you join a doubles clinic or hit the putting green before meeting friends for dinner at the club. If you prefer the beach, you swap the clinic for a sunset walk on the sand. That is the rhythm Pelican Marsh makes easy.
The bottom line
Pelican Marsh is a strong match for active retirees who want an amenity-rich, nature-forward community with easy access to beaches, shopping, and health care. You can choose low-maintenance homes that travel well, lean into fitness and racquet sports, and opt into golf and social memberships as you like. The keys are to verify your sub-association’s services and budget, confirm current racquet and club details, and understand storm and flood factors for the specific property you prefer.
Ready to explore homes that fit your lifestyle and priorities in Pelican Marsh? Reach out to Annie Hagstrom to book a private consultation and tour options that align with your goals.
FAQs
Is Pelican Marsh age restricted or 55-plus?
- Pelican Marsh is a non-age-restricted community that welcomes a mix of residents, including retirees and seasonal owners.
How close is Pelican Marsh to Vanderbilt Beach and Mercato?
- Community materials report Vanderbilt Gulf beaches are under two miles away, and Mercato is a short drive for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
What fitness and racquet facilities are on site?
- You have a staffed fitness center with classes and spa services, lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, and pickleball programming, with exact court counts best confirmed during your visit.
Is golf membership required to live in Pelican Marsh?
- No. Membership is generally optional for homeowners, with golf and social categories available directly through the club.
What home types are available for low-maintenance living?
- Many condos and attached villas include exterior and landscaping services in the HOA, which suits lock-and-leave or seasonal lifestyles.
What should I know about storms and flood insurance in Naples?
- Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and flood insurance needs vary by FEMA map panel and lender; review the FEMA panel for any address and consult an insurance advisor.
