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Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty drops anchor in northwest Florida and finds a magnificent waterside home being sold by Tampa real estate specialists, Smith & Associates.

Pieces of eight, buried treasure, Blackbeard, Long John Silver, Captain Hook, Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Jack Sparrow’s dad – children of any age love an old-fashioned pirate story. And who doesn’t want their own treasure island?

Usually one needs an old, faded and bloodstained map roughly drawn on well-worn vellum to find Treasure Island. But I can tell you exactly where it is. It’s near St Petersburg in Florida. It’s even got a zip code.

I had better explain. Treasure Island is part of the Intracoastal that lays between mainland Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. But today this Treasure Island is not quite as the young Jack Hawkins would remember. In this one it’s as if the treasure has already been found, dug up and spent lavishly on houses in the neighborhood.

One of the most striking homes here is Villa La Serenissima, a magnificent Addison Mizner inspired house with 5 bedrooms and 5 and a half bathrooms including a 1600 sq ft master suite – all sumptuously appointed and finished. There are Italian marble floors, antique French iron doors, sweeping double staircases and soaring ceilings. A wrought iron elevator connects the two floors. Downstairs is a French provincial style, custom designed kitchen, a 600-bottle climate controlled wine room and a most comfortable home theatre. It’s all enough to make even the most committed buccaneer prefer to stay at home.

To the rear of the house is an Italian glass tiled pool with swim up bar and spa, sweeping Intracoastal views, an outdoor kitchen and multiple sundecks.

But what will really suit shipmates is the well-protected deepwater dock – enough for a 75f yacht. With access out into the Gulf of Mexico taking only about ten minutes – even by longboat – it is perfect for a quick getaway to sail the Spanish Main. Let fly the Jolly Roger.