Southern Pool Designs builds new custom pools and complete rip and replace rebuilds on Tortoise Island, the guard-gated waterfront community off South Patrick Drive in Satellite Beach. Our Cocoa & Merritt Island office handles design, permitting and construction from start to finish. Most Tortoise Island projects land in our Signature tier ($175,000 to $325,000), with larger riverfront builds reaching Monument ($325,000 and up). Every project starts in our custom pool design studio, where you see the full design in 3D and know the cost before we break ground.
About Tortoise Island
Tortoise Island covers roughly 210 acres on the west side of Satellite Beach, about a mile south of the Pineda Causeway. It is surrounded by the Banana River and the Grand Canal, and the only way in is a guarded bridge. Inside are more than 340 single-family homes, recorded in several planned unit development phases, along with interior ponds, a residents’ boat ramp and a recreation center with a pool, fitness center and tennis and pickleball courts.
Almost every home has some water exposure: direct Banana River frontage, a deep-water canal lot with a private dock, or a view across one of the interior lakes. Lot sizes vary widely, from about a quarter acre to close to an acre, so the right pool layout changes a lot from one street to the next.
Many Homes Here Are Ready for a Full Rebuild
Most Tortoise Island homes were built between the late 1970s and the early 2000s. That means many backyards still have the original pool, often with an older shell, plumbing and equipment, plus a layout that no longer fits how the house is used after an interior renovation.
That is the work we do. We do not resurface or patch. Our rip and replace process removes the existing pool and deck and builds a new one with new structure, plumbing, equipment, lighting and automation. It is also the moment to rethink the layout: move the spa to the water side, add a sun shelf, reshape the pool to open up the view, or tie the deck to a new outdoor living area.
Site Conditions and Permits
- Which building department. Tortoise Island homes carry Satellite Beach addresses and sit in the north Satellite Beach area, near unincorporated South Patrick Shores. We confirm from the parcel record whether the City of Satellite Beach or Brevard County reviews the permit, then prepare the package for that office. Satellite Beach requires permits for pools, seawall work and docks.
- Flood zone. On waterfront lots we review the flood designation and elevation on the survey. Satellite Beach asks for floodplain information on site plans in mapped flood zones, and we place the equipment pad and electrical with that in mind.
- Seawalls and docks. Pools on canal and river lots are designed so the pool and deck do not load the seawall, with clear access kept to the dock and lift.
- Gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises are a state-threatened species, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires a permit before work within 25 feet of a burrow. If we find a burrow near the work area, we build that step into the schedule.
- Association. Tortoise Island has an active homeowners association. We check its requirements for exterior work and prepare any submittal it calls for.
Design Ideas That Fit Tortoise Island
- Riverfront edge. On Banana River lots, a vanishing edge facing west across the water, with a spa set for evening views.
- Canal-side entertaining. A pool sized to the lot with a raised champagne spa, fire features and a deck that steps down toward the dock.
- Lake lot family pool. Beach entry, a sun shelf and a water feature for homes with kids, framed by the pond view.
- Modern refresh. For updated homes, a clean rectangle with a knife edge, LED lighting and smart automation controlled from your phone.
What a Pool on Tortoise Island Costs
Our published tiers:
- Foundation: $120,000 to $175,000
- Signature: $175,000 to $325,000, our most-built tier
- Monument: $325,000 to $1,000,000+
A rebuilt pool and spa with new decking on a canal or lake lot commonly falls in Signature. Riverfront vanishing edges and larger outdoor plans on the bigger lots often reach Monument. Removing the existing pool adds $8,000 to $20,000 for demolition. Our pricing page explains what each tier includes.
How a Tortoise Island Project Runs
- Welcome call. We learn about the house, the existing pool if there is one, and your goals and budget band.
- On-site design consultation. We review the survey, the seawall and dock, and the existing pool, and confirm the permitting office and association requirements.
- The Signature Experience. Custom 3D design, engineering coordination, association and permit submittals, demolition if needed, and construction under a dedicated project manager with real-time tracking, finishing with a walkthrough.
Tortoise Island Pool FAQs
Can you replace my original Tortoise Island pool?
Yes. Many homes here date from the late 1970s through the early 2000s, so many backyards still have an aging original pool. We remove the old pool and deck and build a completely new one. Demolition adds $8,000 to $20,000 to the tier price. We do not offer resurfacing or repairs.
Who issues pool permits on Tortoise Island?
Tortoise Island homes have Satellite Beach addresses and sit near the line with unincorporated South Patrick Shores. We confirm from the parcel record whether the City of Satellite Beach or Brevard County handles your permit, then prepare the permit package and any homeowners association submittal for you.
Does a canal or river lot change the pool design?
It does. We design around the seawall so the pool and deck do not overload it, keep clear access to the dock, and check the flood designation before placing equipment and electrical. On river lots we often orient the pool and spa toward the water view to the west.
How much does a new pool on Tortoise Island cost?
Most projects fall in our Signature tier ($175,000 to $325,000). Larger riverfront builds with vanishing edges or expanded outdoor living often reach Monument ($325,000 and up). Replacing an existing pool adds $8,000 to $20,000 for demolition.
Talk With Us About Your Tortoise Island Pool
Call our Cocoa & Merritt Island office at (321) 355-7701 or request a design consultation to schedule a visit. Back to Brevard County pool builder.