Spanish Wells vs. Nearby Clubs: Which Fits Your Goals?

Trying to choose between Spanish Wells and nearby country club communities in Bonita Springs? You want the right mix of golf access, amenities, home value, and a convenient location. In this guide, you’ll compare Spanish Wells with Bonita Bay, Pelican Landing and The Colony, and Bonita National so you can match your lifestyle and budget to the right fit. You’ll also get a practical checklist to speed up due diligence. Let’s dive in.

Spanish Wells at a glance

Spanish Wells is a gated, golf-centered community in Bonita Springs with about 1,361 residential lots across several neighborhoods and a variety of homes from condos to single-family. Explore the neighborhood mix on the Spanish Wells Community Association page for a feel of the layout and options. You are a short drive to Bonita’s beaches and roughly 20 to 30 minutes to RSW depending on traffic.

• Community overview: Spanish Wells neighborhoods
• Club and amenities: 27 holes of golf, clubhouse dining, practice facilities, fitness classes, tennis, pickleball, bocce, and a heated pool and cabana. Details are outlined on the club site. See the club overview

Membership models compared

Membership structures shape your day-to-day access and costs. Always verify current tiers, fees, and waitlists directly with each club.

Spanish Wells

Spanish Wells offers tiered memberships, including Dining, Social, and Sports options, and the course accepts public tee times under a semi-private model. This can create flexibility if you want to golf without a large equity buy-in, but confirm member versus guest policies before you buy. Review membership options

Bonita Bay

Bonita Bay operates a large, member-owned club with multiple championship courses, a robust sports center, spa, and marina access. Membership is optional, with structured levels that support a full resort-style experience. Explore Bonita Bay Club

Pelican Landing and The Colony

Pelican Landing offers community amenities and a residents’ beach park on Big Hickory Island. Within it, The Colony features resident-only dining at the Bay Club and an optional private golf club with a premium experience. If waterfront lifestyle and beach access are priorities, this cluster is a strong match. See community amenities

Bonita National

Bonita National is a gated community wrapped around an 18-hole course with social and clubhouse amenities that include professional tennis, fitness, spa services, and multiple dining venues. Many homes note included or required social memberships, so verify what comes with a specific property. Visit Bonita National

A note on waitlists

Across many markets, private clubs have added waitlists or tiered access since 2020. If immediate golf access is essential, confirm timing and alternatives directly with the membership office. See national context on waitlists

Amenities and lifestyle

Your best fit depends on whether you want a focused golf scene or a resort-scale environment.

• Spanish Wells: 27 holes of golf, active leagues and events, and a social clubhouse atmosphere. A good match if you value regular golf and a lively calendar without the size of a mega-club. Club lifestyle overview
• Bonita Bay: A comprehensive amenity set that includes several courses, extensive racquet facilities, fitness and spa, multiple dining venues, and marina access for boating. Learn about the club
• Pelican Landing/The Colony: Community amenities plus a residents’ beach park and The Colony’s private dining, with an optional high-quality golf club. Beach and community features
• Bonita National: Golf-centric with strong racquet, fitness, spa, and dining options in a nature-forward setting. Community overview

Price and resale realities

Recent snapshots show Spanish Wells with a median listing price around 772 thousand dollars in late 2024, with a broad range from condos to higher priced single-family homes. Bonita Bay often runs around or above 1 to 1.2 million dollars. Pelican Landing sits roughly in the mid to upper range locally, with The Colony subsections commonly into seven figures.

• In premium private clubs, higher home prices can pair with meaningful initiation or dues, and waitlists can influence buyer demand. This can support resale for homes with desirable membership access, but the premium varies by market cycle and club policies.
• HOA and club assessments, membership transfer rules, and capital projects all affect long-term value. Verify specifics for your sub-neighborhood and club before you write an offer.

Location and convenience

Spanish Wells sits near Bonita Beach Road and US-41, offering quick access to the beach, Coconut Point, and both Naples and Fort Myers corridors. Pelican Landing and The Colony lean into bayfront living with a residents’ beach park and easy reach to waterfront activities. Bonita Bay’s marina and conservation areas add a boating and nature dimension that many buyers value.

Buyer due diligence checklist

Use this list to confirm the details that matter most to you and your resale plan.

• Membership status: Is any level included with the property and is it transferable on sale? Get it in writing. Check Spanish Wells membership tiers
• Current costs: Ask for initiation fees, monthly or annual dues, and any known special assessments for both the HOA and the club.
• Access timing: Confirm waitlists and how tee times are allocated for your membership level or as a resident guest. See national waitlist trends
• Rental rules: Verify minimum lease terms, tenant approval steps, and application fees if you plan seasonal rentals.
• Governance and financials: Request recent minutes, budgets, reserve studies, and audit reports for the HOA and the club.
• Flood and insurance: Check FEMA flood maps and typical coverage costs for the specific parcel and structure.
• Micro-comps: Analyze solds inside your exact sub-neighborhood to gauge realistic pricing and days on market.

Which community fits your goals?

Choosing a community is easier when you align the setting with your day-to-day lifestyle and budget.

• Choose Spanish Wells if you want flexible golf access in a semi-private environment, a wide range of housing options, and a central Bonita Springs location with quick beach and airport access. Review the club and amenities
• Choose Bonita Bay or The Colony if you want a resort-scale experience with multiple courses, larger fitness and racquet programs, marina or beach access, and you are comfortable with higher home prices and potential initiation costs. Explore Bonita Bay Club | See The Colony community features
• Choose Bonita National if you want a modern, golf-forward community with strong racquet, fitness, and dining amenities and a nature-preserve feel. Visit Bonita National

Ready to map these options to your goals and timeline? Connect with Owens Jablonski | Gulf Coast Advisors for neighborhood-level guidance, private listing insight, and a plan tailored to you.

FAQs

Is golf membership automatically included with a home in Spanish Wells?

• No. Spanish Wells offers tiered memberships and also allows public tee times. Some listings may include a transfer, but it is not universal. Confirm details with the club and seller in writing. View membership tiers

What should I compare when looking at club memberships across these communities?

• Focus on initiation and dues, what each tier includes, whether there is a waitlist, transfer rules at resale, and how tee times are allocated during peak season.

Are initiation fees higher at Bonita Bay or The Colony than at Spanish Wells?

• Premium private clubs often carry higher initiations for full golf privileges. Costs vary and can change, so request current fee schedules and timing directly from each club.

How do these communities differ for beach and boating access?

• Pelican Landing and The Colony offer a residents’ beach park on Big Hickory Island and The Colony’s Bay Club dining, while Bonita Bay adds marina and boating access. Spanish Wells focuses more on golf and central convenience.

How do HOA and club assessments affect resale value?

• Assessments, dues, and upcoming capital projects influence buyer demand and carrying costs. Strong governance and clear reserves can support value, while uncertainty may affect pricing and days on market.