Choosing between Pelican Landing and Worthington can feel like comparing two great versions of the Southwest Florida lifestyle. You might be weighing beach access against a classic country club scene, or wondering how membership fees and HOA rules differ. You want a clear path to the right fit, without surprises after you buy.
In this guide, you’ll learn how these Bonita Springs area communities typically compare by club structure, amenities, housing options, and everyday lifestyle. You’ll also get a buyer’s checklist so you know exactly what to ask before you make an offer. Let’s dive in.
Pelican Landing vs Worthington overview
Both communities sit in the Bonita Springs corridor that serves buyers who value Gulf access, club amenities, and quick connections to Naples and Estero. Each offers gated living, a social calendar, and convenient access to shopping, dining, and healthcare.
Where they often differ is scale and focus. Pelican Landing is commonly presented as a larger master-planned setting with multiple amenity clusters, water-oriented recreation, and a variety of neighborhoods. Within Pelican Landing, The Colony is often considered the private club element with golf and clubhouse amenities. Worthington typically reads as a more compact, golf-centered community with a classic country club feel and a strong sports and social scene. Always verify current details with the club or HOA.
Club structure: what to know first
The club’s governance and membership model shape your daily life and your costs. Before you fall in love with a view or a floor plan, get clear on these basics.
Membership models
- Equity clubs: You buy a share of the club, pay an initiation fee and recurring dues, and vote on certain matters. Transfer rules may apply on resale.
- Non-equity clubs: The club is privately operated. Membership offerings and policies are managed by the operator and can change over time.
- Categories: Golf, social, sports or seasonal options are common. Clarify what each level includes, such as tee time access, guest play, lockers, fitness, tennis, and dining.
Mandatory vs optional
- Some communities require a membership with purchase. Others make club membership optional for homeowners, or offer resident-only social access separate from golf.
- Ask if memberships are capped and whether a waiting list exists, especially for full golf.
Governance and fees
- Request current initiation fees, annual dues, capital or improvement assessments, and any food and beverage minimums.
- Clarify who bills you for what. In some communities, the club invoices golf dues while the HOA collects community fees.
Amenities: side-by-side framework
Each community offers a robust menu of activities. Your experience will come down to access rules, program depth, and how you plan to use the amenities.
Golf
- Course access: Ask if the course is private or semi-private, and whether prime tee times are member-only.
- Playability: Confirm renovation history, practice facilities, and availability of lessons or clinics.
- Calendar: Review the tournament schedule and handicap services to see how active the golf culture feels.
- Costs: Get current initiation and annual golf dues, plus any cart or capital fees.
Tennis and pickleball
- Courts and play: Confirm the number and surface of courts, lighting for evening play, and maintenance schedules.
- Programs: Ask about pros on staff, clinics, ladders, and league play. Know how reservations work during peak hours.
Beach and bay access
- Pelican Landing often positions beach and bay access as a signature advantage, including the potential for a resident beach park or water access points. Verify current policies for beach park passes, parking, and whether access is tied to HOA ownership or club membership.
- Check for kayak or paddleboard launch areas and storage. Ask if any marina or boat slip program exists, how it is managed, and whether slips transfer on sale or require a waitlist.
- Worthington typically focuses more on golf and club amenities rather than on-site beach or marina facilities. Confirm proximity and access to nearby public Gulf beaches.
Fitness and pools
- Facilities: Compare fitness center size and equipment, class schedules for yoga or spin, and the presence of personal training.
- Pools: Note whether there is a resort-style pool, a lap pool, or both. Ask about age-related rules and typical hours.
Dining and social life
- Venues: Identify the types of dining on site, from formal dining rooms to casual grilles and outdoor patios.
- Social calendar: Review club and community event schedules. Look for themed nights, holiday gatherings, and interest groups that match your hobbies.
- Private events: If you plan to host, ask whether the club allows outside event rentals and the fees involved.
Other recreation and security
- Outdoor spaces: Compare walking and biking trails, community parks, and gathering areas.
- Programs: Ask about group fitness, arts, volunteer clubs, and seasonal festivals.
- Security: Confirm gate style and hours, manned guard presence, and resident access protocols.
Housing: types, scale, and feel
You will find a range of home styles in both communities, with differences in scale and neighborhood variety.
Housing types
- Single-family homes: Expect coastal-influenced architecture such as stucco with tile roofs. Lot sizes usually range from compact to moderate.
- Villas and townhomes: Popular for lower maintenance living, often near club cores or amenity hubs.
- Condominiums: Low-rise or mid-rise options may be closer to clubhouses or water features. Ask about elevator access and covered parking.
Age and updates
- Much of the area saw development in the 1990s through the 2010s. Review building ages, roof type and age, and recent updates or remodels.
- Ask the HOA about exterior standards, hurricane shutter rules, and approved roofing materials.
Scale and density
- Pelican Landing is often described as a larger master plan with multiple neighborhoods, a variety of housing densities, and more internal roads and trails.
- Worthington is typically more compact and golf-centric, with a tighter clubhouse core and a classic country club rhythm.
Rental policies and pets
- Request each HOA’s CC&Rs for rules on minimum lease terms, rental caps, and short-term rental restrictions.
- Confirm pet policies, leash rules, and any breed or size limitations.
Lifestyle: how daily life feels
- Pelican Landing: Often appeals to buyers who want a broader mix of activities, with strong water and outdoor recreation. You may find a varied resident mix by age and usage, from full-time residents to seasonal owners. Verify the social calendar across seasons.
- Worthington: Often resonates with buyers who prioritize a club-forward, golf-and-racquets daily routine. The social life tends to center on the course, courts, dining, and member events.
Neither is better. They are simply different flavors of the Southwest Florida lifestyle. The right choice depends on whether you want more beach and bay experiences, or a compact, course-focused community with a classic country club feel.
Which fits your priorities?
Use these scenarios to focus your search:
- You want regular beach days and easy access to water activities. Lean toward Pelican Landing, and verify how beach park access works, what passes are included with ownership, and whether there are launch areas for kayaks or paddleboards.
- You want maximum golf immersion with a strong tournament calendar and a central clubhouse lifestyle. Lean toward Worthington, and confirm membership categories, tee time priority, and league depth for golf and racquet sports.
- You value variety and scale. Pelican Landing’s larger master plan typically offers more neighborhoods and trails. Confirm how that translates to traffic, parking, and waitlists for amenities in peak season.
- You value a tighter footprint and a classic club rhythm. Worthington’s golf-core layout may fit, if you want most of your activity centered near the clubhouse.
Buyer checklist: documents and questions
Review these items before you write an offer. Ask for the most recent versions.
Club documents and access
- Membership plan, initiation fee schedule, dues and minimums by category
- Transfer and resale rules, waiting list policies, seasonal access rules
- Tee time policies for members and guests, reciprocal play with other clubs
- Tournament calendar, instruction programs, and practice facility access
HOA governance and costs
- CC&Rs, bylaws, current budget, and reserve study
- Insurance coverage, history of special assessments, and planned capital projects
- Exterior standards and architectural review rules, landscaping and hurricane shutter guidelines
Financials and market
- Current HOA dues and club dues, plus any food and beverage minimums
- Historical dues increases, capital calls, and upcoming improvements
- Recent closed sales and active listings within the community, price per square foot, days on market
Physical and site details
- Flood zone and elevation, roof age and type, hurricane protection
- Condition of common facilities such as clubhouse, course, courts, pools
- Beach park or marina policies, parking pass rules, storage for kayaks or paddleboards
Operations and lifestyle
- Amenity maintenance schedules, court resurfacing plans, course aeration timelines
- Clubhouse hours, dining reservation policies, guest access rules
- Social programming by season, occupancy patterns during peak months
Legal and regulatory
- Any current litigation involving the HOA or club
- City or county development approvals that could affect traffic or views
Bringing this information together will give you a clear picture of total monthly and annual costs, daily access to what you love, and the community culture you can expect.
How to choose with confidence
- Start with lifestyle first. Rank what matters most to you: beach and bay access, golf tee time predictability, tennis and pickleball programs, social calendar, or a quieter footprint.
- Map your budget. Combine HOA dues, club dues, food and beverage minimums, utilities, and insurance to estimate your real carrying costs.
- Verify in person. Visit during peak hours, talk with membership and HOA staff, and walk the amenities you will use most.
- Plan for resale. Ask whether any memberships transfer, if there are waitlists, and how similar homes performed in the last 12 months.
When you approach Pelican Landing and Worthington with a structured plan, you will see which community fits your routine and your long-term goals.
Ready to compare homes and memberships side by side, including cross-border guidance if you are purchasing from Canada or abroad? Reach out to Sara Anderson, PA for boutique, bilingual service and neighborhood-level insight in Bonita Springs and beyond.
FAQs
Is club membership mandatory when buying in Pelican Landing or Worthington?
- It depends on the current membership plan and the specific neighborhood. Request the latest club documents to confirm whether membership is required, optional, or capped.
How does beach access differ between Pelican Landing and Worthington?
- Some communities offer resident beach park access or parking passes, while others rely on nearby public beaches. Verify beach or bay access details with the HOA and club before you buy.
What types of homes are available in Pelican Landing and Worthington?
- Expect a mix of single-family homes, villas or townhomes, and low to mid-rise condos. Ask for age, roof type, maintenance rules, and any exterior standards that apply.
How are tee times and golf access typically handled?
- Policies vary by club. Private clubs usually prioritize member tee times, while semi-private models may allow outside play. Confirm member priority, guest rules, and tournament schedules.
Are rentals allowed in these communities?
- Rental policies are set by each HOA. Request the CC&Rs for minimum lease terms, rental caps, and any restrictions that could affect income potential or resale value.
What should I budget for monthly ownership costs?
- Combine HOA dues, club dues and minimums, plus utilities and insurance. Ask for current budgets, reserve studies, and a fee schedule to estimate your total carry costs.
