If you’re looking for a tropical getaway to relax, unwind, soak up the sun, and enjoy the cool ocean breeze, there’s no better place to do it than sunny Florida along the Atlantic Ocean. The relaxed ambiance and sub-tropical climate of West Palm Beach are the perfect antidotes to stress. Here’s a roundup of the 10 best West Palm Beach beaches.
1. Coral Cove Park
Coral Cove Park Beach is a favorite of many. For one thing, it is one of the few beaches in West Palm Beach that never get busy, even during peak season. If you want a quiet getaway with a large chunk of the beach to yourself, Coral Cove Park is where you need to be.
The beach is famous for its superior snorkeling conditions. You don’t need to go too far to enjoy the beautiful underwater world of rock formations and capture the beauty of reefs and the marine life swimming between them.
There’s no shortage of things to do at Coral Cove Park. When you’re not swimming or snorkeling, you can head to the park’s picnic site and use the benches and barbecue grills. There’s a small playground in which your kids can run around.
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2. Phil Foster Park
Phil Foster Park is a gorgeous 15-acre park that serves as the gateway to the West Palm Beach beaches: Peanut Island, Munyon Island, and Singer Island. It offers great fishing, swimming, and snorkeling.
Phil Foster Park is most famous for its snorkeling tail. This man-made path flows around the island’s south end, winding down to the Blue Heron Bridge pilings. You can make it through the entire trail if you are a strong swimmer.
If you have young kids, they can use the beach access instead. That way, they can wade close to shore, allowing you to keep an eye on them.
Phil Foster Park has several amenities to make your day trip comfortable. There’s a small playground, public restrooms, shower facilities, picnic sites, and concession stands where you can rent snorkeling gear or grab a bite.
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3. Peanut Island Park
Peanut Island Park is another one of the stunning West Palm Beach beaches. It is a man-made island within the Lake Worth Lagoon and boasts pristine, white, powder-like, sandy beaches and spectacular clear turquoise water.
This 80-acre sanctuary has a rich history that dates back to 1918.
The park provides swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and camping opportunities. If you want a change of scenery, you can strap on your hiking boots and explore everything the island offers.
It is worth noting that you can only access Peanut Island Park via canoe, boat, or paddleboard. The best way to get there would be to go to the nearby Riviera Beach Marina or Sailfish Marina. From there, you can take a water taxi to transport you to the island.
Alternatively, if you have a boat, you can sail directly to Peanut Island and anchor it on the shoreline.
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4. Oceanfront Park Beach
Oceanfront Park Beach is located within walking distance of Boynton Beach. It has plenty of palm trees to shield you from the scalding hot afternoon sun, and the ocean waves are calm enough to swim. It is a great place for anyone looking for a nice quiet spot on the beach to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds.
Oceanfront Park Beach has several lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone is safe while swimming in the ocean. There are concession stands where you can rent lounge chairs and cabanas. There are also food vendors selling delicious meals and refreshing beverages all day long.
The park offers free wheelchairs to make the beach more accessible to individuals with impairment. Before you leave, stop by the park’s boardwalk and stay for the sunset. It is magical.
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5. Ocean Reef Park
Ocean Reef Park in Riviera Beach is a gorgeous 13-acre beach that boasts beautiful golden sand and lots of opportunities for fun and exploration. It is one of the most spectacular places for snorkeling or deep diving to get a closer look at underwater marine life.
The stunning reef is visible during low and high tides, providing a great experience for experienced divers and newbies. Ocean Reef Park has lifeguards manning the beach, making it safe for families with young children to let the kids splash around in the water.
The diving zones on the beach also have lifeguards on standby to ensure everyone—children and adults alike—remains safe. Once you’re through with your water-based activities, you can head to any picnic site for a bite. There are several picnic tables and group pavilions to ensure you’re comfortable and have a great time. Young kids can run around in the nearby playground.
The park also has some remarkable dune ecosystems you can explore on the boardwalks.
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6. Lake Worth Beach
Lake Worth Beach is known for being one of the cleanest, most serene beaches in West Palm Beach and south Florida. It has a relaxed ambiance, perfect for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
The panoramic views of the ocean, beach, and surroundings from the massive pier are breathtaking. Stick around for the sunset as well. You’ll be glad you did.
Lake Worth Beach has several visitor amenities, including a public restroom and nearby eateries. You can go swimming, snorkeling, or tan in the warm Florida sun.
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7. Jupiter Beach
The sheer beauty and magnificence of Jupiter Beach are out of this world. The white sandy beaches lined with palm trees and the crashing waves of the ocean against the backdrop of clear blue skies make this paradise a dream destination for sun-chasers.
Jupiter Beach forms part of Jupiter Beach Park and is home to a small lagoon and modest jetty. You can do plenty of activities here, including swimming, surfing, or indulging in a friendly game of beach volleyball.
Perhaps the best thing about this beach is that you can bring your dog and let them run and splash around in the ocean off-leash. Jupiter Beach is one of the few beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, allowing dogs to roam freely without having to be leashed.
Other amenities on the beach include access to large pavilions, picnic sites, restrooms, and shower facilities.
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8. Juno Beach
Juno Beach is a magical paradise you must visit at least once. If nothing else—do it for the views. They are pretty spectacular, especially from the vantage point of the Juno Beach Pier. The sunsets are magical and seem to go on forever.
That aside, Juno Beach has excellent opportunities for saltwater fishing. If you are an avid angler, you will feel right at home here. A bait shop nearby sells all kinds of fishing paraphernalia and even has fishing poles you can rent for the day.
There are plenty of things to do at Juno Beach, including swimming, snorkeling, jet skiing, waterboarding, or hanging out to soak up some sun. Once you work up a healthy appetite from all the day’s beach activities, you can head to any food vendor and grab a bite before heading home.
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9. Delray Municipal Beach
You haven’t been to West Palm Beach if you’ve never visited Delray Municipal Beach. This gorgeous two-mile-long gem extends from Boca Raton down to West Palm Beach.
The crashing waves against the backdrop of clear blue skies add to the beauty of Delray. The white sandy shores lure you to lie on them and soak up the sun.
You can picnic on the shores of Delray Beach, build sand castles with your kids, go swimming and snorkeling, or simply sit in your lounge chair and enjoy the cool ocean breeze. Make a point to explore some of the eateries on Atlantic Avenue before you leave. Your taste buds are in for quite a treat.
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10. Boynton Beach
Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park is home to the stunning Boynton Beach. Everything from the hardwood boardwalk to the canopy-studded walkways screams fun and relaxation. There are concession stands where you can rent lounge chairs and beach umbrellas to ensure your day on the beach is comfortable.
If you have kids, you can set them loose on the playground nearby. You can hit the waves and surf to your heart’s desire or chase adrenaline by jet skiing and paddle boarding in the clear water Florida waters. Dedicated lifeguards are on duty daily between 9 am and 5 pm all year round. You can rest easy knowing there’s an extra set of eyes on your kids as they splash about in the ocean.
Once you’ve sufficiently worked up an appetite from all the water activities, you can head over to any of the food vendors on the beach and enjoy some West Palm Beach delicacies.
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In the meantime, check out our top picks for the best beaches in California.