Top 10 Beaches in South Florida

South Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, and there are many to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best beaches in South Florida:

  1. South Beach (Miami Beach): South Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, known for its white sand, vibrant atmosphere, and iconic art deco architecture. It’s a popular spot for sunbathing, people-watching, and water sports.
  2. Fort Lauderdale Beach: This beach offers a more relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere compared to South Beach. It has a beautiful promenade, clean sandy shores, and a lots of restaurants and shops nearby.
  3. Delray Beach: Delray Beach is a charming seaside town with a picturesque beach. It’s known for its clear waters, well-maintained parks, and vibrant arts scene on Atlantic Avenue. Atlantic Avenue is full of shops and restaurants to choose from and hosts many events downtown throughout the year.
  4. Hollywood Beach: Hollywood Beach features a scenic boardwalk that stretches for 2.5 miles along the coast. It’s a great place for biking, jogging, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. The beach is family-friendly and has a playground for kids.
  5. Key Biscayne Beach: Located on the barrier island of Key Biscayne, this beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and natural beauty. Crandon Park Beach and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park are popular spots here.
  6. Fort Myers Beach: While not in South Florida, Fort Myers Beach is on the Gulf Coast and offers a different coastal experience. It’s known for its white sands, clear waters, and a lively pier area with shops and restaurants.
  7. Naples Beach: Naples is famous for its upscale resorts and pristine beaches. The city’s beachfront is perfect for a peaceful day of sunbathing and shelling.
  8. Palm Beach: Known for its opulent estates and high-end shopping on Worth Avenue, Palm Beach also offers beautiful beaches with a relaxed atmosphere. Midtown Beach and Phipps Ocean Park Beach are popular options.
  9. Boca Raton Beach: Boca Raton has several lovely beaches, including South Beach Park and Red Reef Park. These beaches are known for their clean and calm waters, making them ideal for families.
  10. Jupiter Beach: Located in northern Palm Beach County, Jupiter Beach is known for its natural beauty and relaxed vibe. You can often spot sea turtles nesting here during the nesting season. Dubois park and the Jupiter Inlet are top choices for exploring, fishing and relaxing with family.

Remember that conditions at these beaches may vary, so it’s a good idea to check for any updates or advisories before heading out. South Florida’s beaches offer a wide range of experiences, from bustling city vibes to tranquil natural settings, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Peanut Island

Peanut Island

Looking for a day on the water? Want to try paddle boarding or kayaking? Starting at the Riviera Beach Marina for some rentals is your best bet. If possible I would recommend heading out during the week instead of a weekend. Any day is fine really, but on the weekend there are a lot of boats. Think of I-95 at rush hour. Ok, maybe this is a little bit of an exaggeration, but really on the weekends this is the place for boat owners. Boaters will anchor around Peanut Island for a day of fishing, diving, snorkeling or just relaxing.

Peanut Island is an uninhabited island between Singer Island and Riviera Beach. Palm Beach County has a park on Peanut Island with trails for exploring, picnic areas and overnight camping. The island is only accessible by boat. There are ferries that run during the day for a trip to Peanut Island if you do not have your own boat. Other options to get there are boat rentals, jet skis from Riviera Beach Marina, or a kayak or paddleboard will get you there too.

The water around Peanut Island is the Intercoastal waterway near an inlet that provides a strong current in areas, but also some of the best snorkeling in the state of Florida.

There are many areas near Peanut Island to visit. You can visit Singer Island (on the land) and there are restaurants, shops and hotels on the beach. Riviera Beach Marina also has a large parking area and some restaurants and shops as well.

Link to PBC Parks info

Rentals

Get Wet Water Sports

Blue Water Boat Rentals

A day on the water around Peanut Island offers great fishing, snorkeling and island exploring!

Key Largo Snorkeling

Day trip to the Keys. John Pennekamp Park offers online reservations for a 2.5 hour snorkeling trip. When you arrive there is an admissions gate to this state park. Plenty of parking but busy on the weekends. Make sure you leave time for some traffic at park entrance. There is so much to do at John Pennekamp. Kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, snorkeling, beach lounging and fishing.

The snorkeling boat will travel 5 miles off shore to a reef. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a protected reef area. The water is the clearest blue. If you have never been on the water in the keys, it is just unreal. This trip is for most all ages. We had kids under 10 and other swimmers over 60. The coral reef is beautiful with plenty of fish to discover.

Book Your Snorkel Adventure

Ann Norton Sculpture Garden

This is a hidden gem! As I approached the building, which is a historical home in West Palm Beach, on a residential street I would have never expected what I would find. Inside there is a wonderful gallery of artists on display. The exhibits change, but we saw a photographers exhibit. There is a cute little gift shop with books, snacks and Palm Beach style gifts.

The surprise and awe is when you enter the backyard. The property has a display of sculptures that rise out of the ground as you walk down the paths and through the gardens. Ponds and butterfly gardens lead to the orchid house. There are orchids every where! The beauty of this place can not be explained in text. It is a wonderful place to fill your senses. You do not need a lot of time to visit the Ann Norton Museum, so it is a wonder way to spend an afternoon.

Local Food Finds

Not everyone takes pride in their state and the products that are made there. After a trip to Vermont many years ago, I realized there was an almost cult following to the idea of “Made in Vermont.” This should carry over to every state and people should support their local businesses. You would be surprised the things you can find. You will not only find local and delicious products, you will meet awesome business owners.

Local products do not stop at food and produce. There are local beauty companies, clothing and lifestyle companies and more. I will make sure to highlight all of the local finds we try. This is just a ‘taste.’ Pun intended.