OCEAN CITY — “Space, southwest-facing waterfront views, boating, spectacular sunsets, amenities and value — this is an Ocean City opportunity that is hard to match,” listing agent Burt Wilkins III said of the fantastic home at Ocean Reef condominiums.
“For the boating enthusiast, it is an exceptional combination — waterfront living, beautiful views and the convenience of keeping your boat just steps from home,” Wilkins added.
It’s like another world along the bayfront in this remote section of America’s Greatest Family Resort — just far enough away from the sounds of boardwalk buskers and children laughing, the smells of cotton candy and caramel popcorn to relax while paddling around on a kayak or charging through the waters in a powerboat.
“Ocean Reef offers a true resort-style lifestyle with two swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, boat docks, beautifully maintained bayfront grounds and professional on-site management — all just minutes from Ocean City’s beaches, boardwalk, dining and attractions,” listing agent Burt Wilkins III said.
The complex is along Great Egg Harbor Bay off Tennessee Avenue, stretching from about 23rd to 25th streets. The home at 123 Wahoo Drive is on the southwest corner, boasting unobstructed views of the wetlands and the most privacy to be found on this 8-mile island.
It offers a primary suite on the first level, as well as an oversized suite on the second floor with ample space to accommodate multiple sleeping arrangements, making it the ideal summer getaway.
Wilkins characterized the complex as a place “where waterfront living and boating come together in one of Ocean City’s most desirable residential communities.”
The two-story home offers about 1,700 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and expansive southwest-facing views over the bay, Intracoastal Waterway and surrounding wetlands. In addition, there is an opportunity to separately purchase the seller’s deeded boat slip at the community.
The main door opens into a tiled foyer, offering access to two bedrooms on the right, the great room on the left and the second floor atop a spiral staircase.
In the great room, a lofty, sloping cathedral ceiling and light color scheme make the space feel even larger than it is, while a fireplace helps anchor the bright, open living room.
A sliding glass door that opens onto a private deck “captures passing boats, coastal wildlife, changing skies and spectacular sunsets,” Wilkins said.
The dining room has a triple window offering a front-row seat to the ever-changing scene, including the dramatic kaleidoscope of colors each evening as the sun goes down on another great day at the shore.
Just steps away, the kitchen is more enclosed than the modern open designs, but has a large cutout on one side that allows natural light to flow in. It is a galley design, with cabinets on both sides. The sink is beneath the cutout, so even the person stuck cleaning up dinner can enjoy the sunset.
Back in the foyer, there is a hall bathroom just inside the main entrance, midway between the great room on two bedrooms on this floor.
One of the two has an ensuite bathroom as well as a sliding glass door opening onto a private deck.
Atop the stairs is a second sitting area, open to the main level below. It is perfect for reading, streaming some shows, painting or any number of other hobbies and filled with sunshine from the skylight above.
A second bedroom suite on this floor is likewise lit by skylights along with multiple other windows. It has a private bathroom and walk-in closet.
“Generously sized rooms, three full baths and abundant living space provide a level of comfort and versatility rarely found at this price point,” Wilkins said. “The unique multi-level floor plan offers excellent separation and privacy, with a primary suite on the main level and a second primary suite upstairs, creating flexible private space for family and guests or a home office.”
Ocean City is one of the most popular shore resorts on the East Coast, featuring an oceanfront boardwalk filled with hundreds of shopping, dining and entertainment venues, as well as miles and miles of pristine beaches.
A great location doesn’t only mean beachfront or bayfront on the island — there are 10 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics.
The beach and boardwalk — 2.5 miles of oceanfront entertainment, restaurants, thrill rides and souvenir shops — get most of the attention in this seaside resort, but the island has much more to offer.
An award-winning downtown stretches from Sixth to 14th streets along Asbury Avenue and has expanded onto other nearby streets, offering more than 100 shops and cafes.
There’s also the popular watersports district around Third Street on Bay Avenue, where the brave can rent powerboats, go parasailing, join the crew of a pirate ship and take a kayak tour of the back bays. Private and party boat fishing tours are also available.
The Gardens is popular with many for its slow pace, huge beaches and winding, pedestrian-friendly streets. The Riviera, stretching from 16th to 23rd streets along Great Egg Harbor Bay, is a boater’s paradise with many Mediterranean-style homes set right on inland lagoons. The Central neighborhood is bustling with businesses both downtown and on the boardwalk, while the Northend contains many of the island’s historic homes.
The Southend is narrow with fewer homes and room to stretch out, while Merion Park and OC Homes feature wetlands and wildlife along with wonderful sunset views. The Goldcoast has some of the best beachfront homes on the island, set behind a mighty system of dunes for protection.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
