Rock Island, Lake Oconee | Neighborhood Guide
Rock Island Coves is a premier subdivision on the south side of Lake Oconee in Putnam County, made up of two separately platted but essentially indistinguishable sections: Rock Island Point and Rock Harbor. It stands out from other communities on this side of the lake with more manicured streets and custom signage throughout.
Rock Island is also known for its yearly July fireworks display, which does not always land on the Fourth of July itself — it is common to see Nextdoor and Facebook threads light up every year with neighbors asking for the exact date and time.
Quick Facts
| County / city | Putnam County — Eatonton, GA 31024 |
| Also recorded as | Rock Island Coves and Rock Island Point, covering the Rock Island Point and Rock Harbor plats |
| Streets | North and South Rock Island Drive, Rock Island Lane, Rock Springs Road, Lake Ridge Road, Harbor Drive, Harbor Court and Island Court |
| Getting there | On the south side of the lake near the Georgia Power dam, out past Timberlake Cove |
| Time to grocery | About 15 minutes to the Eatonton Publix |
| Gated | No |
| HOA | Active but voluntary, $75 a year. Open to Timberlake Cove residents too |
| Amenities | The Rock Harbor Nature Preserve trail network, and a July fireworks display |
| Looks across at | The Oconee Wildlife Management Area, which cannot be developed |
| Schools | Putnam County School System |
Where Rock Island Is Located on Lake Oconee
Rock Island sits on a large point on the south side of Lake Oconee in Putnam County, near the Georgia Power Dam. Its homeowners association is also open to residents of Timberlake Cove nearby. See the rest of the lake’s communities on the Lake Oconee neighborhoods page. For the full picture of this stretch of the lake, see the Lake Oconee homes in Eatonton guide.
Rock Island Point & Rock Harbor
Rock Island Coves is really an umbrella for two separately platted sections, Rock Island Point and Rock Harbor, that function as a single subdivision in practice. The roads run through both — North and South Rock Island Drive, Rock Island Lane, Rock Springs Road, Lake Ridge Road, Harbor Drive, Harbor Court and Island Court. Streets throughout are more manicured, and signage is more custom, than what you will typically find on this side of the lake — a small detail that sets the tone for the whole subdivision.
Views, HOA & the Rock Harbor Nature Preserve
The lakefront homesites of Rock Island sit on a large point jutting into the lake, with commanding views across one of the widest bodies of water on Lake Oconee. Those views are protected for good: the land directly across the water is the Oconee Wildlife Management Area, which cannot be developed. A few homes even look out around the spit toward Lawrence Shoals Campground and Wallace Dam, about 1.5 miles to the southeast. This is the upper end of the non-gated market on this side of the lake. Waterfront sales here since 2022 have run from the high $700,000s up to just under $1.9 million, with most of the recent activity between $1.4 and $1.7 million.
That ceiling looks likely to move. There are properties on the market here now asking around $2.5 million, and while nothing has closed at that level yet, I expect the larger lakefront estates to start hitting $2 million and above as more of them come to market. The protected view across the water is a good part of the reason.
Rock Island is an active subdivision with an HOA, established committees, and a voluntary $75-per-year membership. The HOA is also open to residents of Timberlake Cove. Full details, a member directory, and event information are available through the Rock Island Coves POA. The subdivision is also home to the Rock Harbor Nature Preserve, a network of trails that became part of the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land in 2013 and is still maintained by neighborhood volunteers today. 1 listing for sale now $2,500,000 5 bd · 7 ba · 5,851 sq ft · Lakefront 125 Rock Island Lane, Eatonton, GA 31024 Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee, 706-467-3181 · #71535 Similar home in Long Shoals Crossing $899,000 4 bd · 4 ba · 4,500 sq ft · Lakefront 403 Long Shoals Drive, Eatonton, GA 31024 Listing courtesy of Atlanta Communities Real Estat, 770-240-2001 · #70115 Similar home in Long Island Forest $1,050,000 4 bd · 3 ba · 2,300 sq ft · Lakefront 119 Forest Ridge Drive, Eatonton, GA 31024 Listing courtesy of Kim and Lin Logan Real Estate, 706-454-1621 · #71686 Non-commercial use only. Listing data © 2026 Lake Country Board of REALTORS® MLS. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Rock Island Homes for Sale
Frequently Asked Questions About Rock Island
Where is Rock Island located on Lake Oconee?
Rock Island is on a large point on the south side of Lake Oconee in Putnam County, near the Georgia Power Dam. See more communities on our Lake Oconee real estate FAQs page.
What is the difference between Rock Island Point and Rock Harbor?
They are two separately platted sections of the same subdivision, Rock Island Coves, and function as a single, indistinguishable community in practice.
Does Rock Island have an HOA, and can Timberlake Cove residents join?
Yes. Rock Island has an active HOA with established committees and a voluntary $75-per-year membership, and the HOA is also open to residents of Timberlake Cove.
What is the Rock Harbor Nature Preserve?
A network of trails within the subdivision that became part of the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land in 2013 and is maintained by neighborhood volunteers.
What do homes at Rock Island sell for?
Waterfront sales here since 2022 have run from the high $700,000s up to just under $1.9 million, with most recent activity between $1.4 and $1.7 million. Properties are currently on the market asking around $2.5 million, which would be new ground for this subdivision. For a figure on a specific property, get in touch.
Why does Rock Island have such wide-open lake views?
Rock Island’s lakefront homesites sit on a large point facing one of the widest parts of Lake Oconee, and the land directly across the water is the protected Oconee Wildlife Management Area, which cannot be developed.
Interested in Rock Island?
If big-water views, a close-knit HOA, and a private nature preserve sound like your kind of subdivision, Margie Sorrell knows Rock Island and the entire Lake Oconee market inside and out. Contact Margie to talk through your options.