Sunrise

This section of shoreline entertains constant boat traffic to complement the Cascade Mountain views.

SUNRISE

As the name implies, this section of Bainbridge Island shoreline may best be enjoyed by morning people. Sunrise Drive on the Seattle (eastern) side of the island runs south from Point Monroe down into the “urban center” of Rolling Bay. For purposes of this tour, Murden Cove and Wing Point, both south of Rolling Bay and north of Eagle Harbor, are included. With a few exceptions, waterfront homes in this area are found at the end of small lanes and long driveways.

If you are looking for an "old Bainbridge" feeling, this section of beach deserves consideration. This area is littered with turn of the century summer cottages that all have one thing in common - an epic view of the Cascade Mountains. Depending on the orientation of property and home, this dramatic view could include the peaks of Mount Baker or Mount Rainier, or both and everything in between if you're lucky. Many vantage points will have some of the Seattle skyline s, though the further north you go, the tops of the skyscrapers and the Space Needle become more obscured by the hill that is Magnolia.

Oddly enough, the view of the Cascades and Seattle may not be the most dynamic part of the setting here. The owner of my office says you won't need a television because the boat traffic can occupy your gaze for hours on end. With the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma shipping lanes just midway across the eight nautical mile stretch of Puget Sound, boats of literally every size can be sighted. Over the course of a year, a resident can observe sailing regattas, cruise ships, commercial and recreational fishing vessels working their craft and every form of personal watercraft.

Nearby Rolling Bay is an iconic place, and its heart and soul is Bay Hay and Feed - an old-fashioned store on Bainbridge Island. Described by its owners as a beehive - busy from dawn till dusk - it was established to create a New England-style general store that sold all the supplies needed for a farm or a homestead. While this neighborhood already had a strong community spirit, this store has become a destination for local pedestrians and world-travelers alike, as it’s a great “place to meet, greet, get coffee or a bite to eat.” Over 30 years of growth have given way to being the place on the island to buy clothing, shoes and boots, pet supplies, cards and gifts, toys, something from the nursery or local organic produce, bread, eggs, milk and meat from the market. And your visit would not be complete without a new T-shirt or sweatshirt.

BEACH ACCESS 

Beach access varies widely along this stretch. At about 6 miles long, properties here are well mixed between high-bank, mid-bank, low bank and no bank. In other words, this stretch has it all. It feels like many or most of the homes here are perched atop high bank and do not have stairs down to the beach, though a few do (there is no standard design here, each access is an artful dance between man and his materials and nature). There are some short sections of no bank waterfront properties here - the north side of Murden Cove where homes have direct water access on the opposite side of Manitou Beach Drive NE, and Rolling Bay Walk NE where the homes are built on the bulkhead at the bottom of a hill.

PRICE TRENDS

In 2023, there were twelve residential sales on Sunrise. The average sale price of a home was $2,670,000 (ranging from $599,000 to $8,800,000). Other averages: price per square foot, $770; sale to list price ratio, 99.9%; days on market, 27.

waterfront property for sale on the east side of bainbridge island, wa

Search listings from Sunrise Drive down to Wing Point and please do contact me with specific questions about any property - I will reply with answers as soon as I am able, usually before the end of the day.