Boating and fishing communities have always played an important part in Manatee County’s history. Cortez Village, a peninsula located near the southwest districts of Bradenton, holds the distinction of being listed in the National Register of Historic Places as an entire community, and this has a lot to do with its fishing heritage. The Old Florida vibe is very strong in Cortez Village, and this is where Coral Shores is near.

Development of Coral Shores in Bradenton dates back to the 1960s. The two subdivisions of this well-established neighborhood feature single-family residences that sit along four canals that were specifically dredged with private docking space in mind. The predominant architectural styles are Florida ranches, but you can also find some Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean revival, and Key West homes. Most of the properties feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the large interiors start around 1,900 square feet. Quite a few homes have nice extras such as swimming pools, covered lanais, sundecks, and wooden piers.

With 280 homes in Coral Shores, you would be tempted to think that listings come on the market often, but that is not always the case. Some homeowners have lived here for decades, and many properties are passed on to family members; for this reason, listings tend to sell reasonably quick. An interesting aspect of Coral Shores is that its eastern subdivision features a freshwater canal managed by a lock, which means that boaters can perform a saltwater flush as they return to their private docks, thus minimizing the time boats need to be lifted.

As can be imagined, Coral Shores has a strong appeal for boating and fishing enthusiasts, particularly retirees, but quite a few families enjoy living very close to Bradenton Beach, Happy Tails Dog Park, the Walmart Supercenter on Cortez Road, and the Tidy Island Nature Preserve. The legendary seafood of Cortez Village are only a few blocks away. As of September 2019, pricing at Coral Shores started below $470K for three-bedroom homes with private docks and dining areas that offer views of the canal.