Please provide a floor plan.

I was going to say open shelving also.

A lot of people use a higher cabinet there, like over the stove, for clearance. Open shelves can work, or I've sometimes put glass cabinets over the sink for a sense of airiness where the storage can't be spared. Or leave that part of the wall open and hang a picture that makes you feel like you're getting a sunshiny view even when it's not the outside...

Since you have such a wonderful water view, why keep the cook's back to it while preparing meals? And, why have your back to the people who will be in the room or around the island since most preparation is done next to a sink and on the cooktop? When thinking about counter surface, it's not necessarily how much you have but how it is utilized. You have a large enough area to have a good size island with a sink or cooktop and still have enough prep room while enjoying friends and family and vice versa.

Here's a kitchen I designed and renovated about 7 years ago. All interior wall space with no outside glass. They love it. The key is a good mix of primary and secondary lighting.

It is not like we spend hours at the sink like in the old days enjoy your view and load the DW and get out of there

I'd HATE having sink facing a wall, didn't buy one house for that very reason. I'd put it in island facing the view.... wouldn't be an option for me.

i have a higher cabinet over mine. if you want to hang something to look at thats good, but have it be removable and not a tiled picture.

my summer home has a window over the sink, i really cannot say i prefer it to facing the corner like i do at home. as patricia says, there are better things to do with a view.

I have a high cabinet over my sink. When we had the backsplash tiled I had the tiler insert a small nail in the grout above the sink where I hang an antique copper mold. It breaks up the expanse of tile and provides visual interest. If I had tried to add the nail later I worried about shattering the grout. I also had a nail inserted above the cooktop for another antique mold. I don't miss a window--I spend very little time at the sink so it's never an issue.

Depends upon your lifestyle. We entertain often & people gravitate towards the kitchen in our great room. Cooking, prepping appetizers, making drinks etc.. , unlike some, we spend more time at & around the sink area so we need to have it facing our guests rather than a wall (ugh). I want to face my ocean view (or any other view ) as much as possible even @ the sink :)

Thank you all for such great ideas. I am new to this site and it is great to be able to share what we have all learned. I never thought about adding a nail when the tile is installed. I am most definitely torn. I agree, we certainly don't spend as much time at the sink as people used to (like my Grandparents with no dishwasher) and I often do dishes when its dark and so I can't see out anyway! Thought about doing a high bar on the island, with sink on the low side. We don't want water splashing on plates, laptops etc. Our friends put in a large counter height island and love it for entertaining. They have had some large parties/buffets and just so nice to have so much space at one level. I have always wanted an island but haven't had room for one. Would love to have one level island counter space for food prep, baking cookies etc. You all give me a lot to consider. Many thanks!

If you move the refrigerator to the other side, you could take out the small wall next to it and have a more direct view of the great room and view, but that might put the fridge too far away. I would remove the cabinets above the sink or at least do a high one so it isn't in your face. It always makes me feel cramped when the uppers are in my face. The mirror idea is nice if you don't mind looking at yourself while doing the dishes.

Haha Emily, that might be scary!

No body wants to spend a lot of time at the sink, but unfortunately you just do.
I would never have an empty island. Either a rangetop or sink should be in the island if it makes sense for your design.
We opted for a sink because I'm using our island for prep, and the dishwasher is in our island. Our entire house is based around our kitchen and an empty island would mean my back would be to our guests quite a bit.
I'd really consider putting a rangetop or sink in that island. :-)

Also, if you put your sink in the island, it would complete the Stove/Fridge/Sink triangle that is always recommended.

We haven't moved in yet lol

Another angle

If you want to hang something on the tile backsplash--like a beautiful platter--a Command hook works well. Did that in my kitchen.