modena island
About modena island
Most people who have lived in Savannah for years have never heard of Modena Island. That is not an accident. It sits at the northern tip of Skidaway Island where the Wilmington and Skidaway Rivers meet the Intracoastal Waterway, and it has fewer than 35 homes on about 50 acres. The people who live here are not looking for attention. They found something good and they stayed.
The land has an interesting past. In 1734 the north end of Skidaway Island was used as a colonial outpost. John Wesley visited in 1736. The Roebling family (whose ancestor manufactured the steel cable used in the Brooklyn Bridge, the George Washington Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge) eventually owned much of the island before donating most of it to the state of Georgia to create the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. What stayed in private hands became Modena Island, which today holds the distinction of being the smallest gated subdivision on Skidaway.
The homes on Modena Island are custom built. Most are over 4,000 square feet, and many have private deepwater docks on the Skidaway River. Several properties sit right where the two rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway converge, which means water views in more than one direction from the same backyard. One notable home on Modena Island Drive was designed by architect Tom Stanley, who also has work in Habersham Woods.
The Homes
An architectural review committee keeps a consistent look across the island. Lot sizes range from under an acre up to multi-lot parcels. The community has one road in and one road out, which keeps it quiet. Prices reflect how rare this kind of property is. Homes have sold from the high $600,000s into the millions, with the most significant waterfront estates trading above $3 million. Vacant lots come to market occasionally as well.
There is no clubhouse here, no resort pool, no organized social calendar. The water is the amenity. Modena Island has about a mile of direct frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway, and boating, fishing, and kayaking are all available right from the property. The marshes and wildlife around the island give it a natural, unhurried feel that residents take seriously.
The Amenities & Character
Skidaway Island State Park is right next door (588 acres of coastal Georgia forest with walking trails, biking paths, and wildlife observation areas). The Landings is also adjacent for anyone who wants golf, tennis, marina access, or dining without driving far. The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography borders the community on the north side.
Living on Modena Island is a choice to slow down. Not because there is nothing to do, but because the setting makes rushing feel unnecessary. Mornings start with water and marsh light. Evenings wind down on a porch or a dock. The neighborhood is small enough that people know each other, and the single entrance keeps outside traffic nonexistent.
The Lifestyle
Downtown Savannah is about 15 miles north. Tybee Island is an easy boat ride east. For day-to-day needs, the commercial corridor along Abercorn on the southside covers everything within 15 to 20 minutes. Most residents are not leaving often, and when they do, coming back is the best part.
Thinking about making modena island home?
Properties here come up rarely, and buyers who are serious need to be ready to move. Let’s talk about the market and what to watch for.
