This was a nude beach when I was a kid. That ended in 1982 when it became a beloved state park. They have done a lot to preserve native plants. You can rent kayaks here or swim. It's usually not too crowded. This is where we would go to see sea turtles laying eggs. And that continues to this day. It's a great location and a beautiful park. read more

This scenic preserve is tucked away in Palm Beach County. The park provides a space for natures beauty to shine. After a $4 entry fee, you'll drive along a trail to ample parking spaces. We walked about 10 minutes over the long wooden bridge leading from the park to the beach. There is a free golf cart ride available from 10am - 4pm, although I do recommend the walk for the experience itself. It was so beautiful, especially at dusk. The beach was absolute perfection! It was so clean and calm, a welcomed break from the crowds of the popular touristy locations. Perfect for relaxation. The water was perfect a temperature and clear. I plan on returning for their kayaking/paddle board experiences and other activities! read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

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MacArthur is such a vibe! Not many people here because of the walk from the parking lot to the beach, and having the nature center available for visitors is wonderful. I will definitely be back to explore more and hopefully take a kayak over to another island. The water was extremely rough, but a place I'll definitely keep an eye on for beach days. There is an entry fee but it's all day parking, and great atmosphere throughout read more

So much fun to spend the morning kayaking with friends at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. The park, which is located just north of Singer Island, is so beautiful. It covers both land and sea, including an estuary, walking trails, a long wooden boardwalk that leads to a beach and Munyon Island, a wilderness isle in the Intracoastal Waterway. My friend has a membership which allows access including kayak rentals, paddles and life jackets. It was so peaceful to kayak in the estuary enjoying a quiet weekday morning in January looking for wildlife. We saw several osprey while exploring by kayak. Be mindful of the wind conditions and tides. We were told not to cross a certain area as the winds were quite strong during our outing. Walked across the boardwalk to enjoy MacArthur Beach. The beach is a nesting ground for rare sea turtles, including the threatened loggerhead, the endangered green sea turtle, and occasionally the rare leatherback. Although we didn't see any turtles it was interesting to learn about them from the signs along the boardwalk. There is also a shuttle if you don't want to walk. The park is also a birders paradise. I love sending photos of birds to my birder friends and then they help identify them and guess where I am located. We saw several osprey, but peregrine falcons, wood storks, and least terns also like to visit the park seasonally. The William T. Kirby Nature Center has exhibits about the park's flora and fauna. A nice park to visit in the Palm Beach area. read more

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Whenever anyone comes to town I always rave how this is my absolute favorite beach. It takes a while to actually get there on the little bridge/trail thingy but when you do it's so enjoyable! read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

Excellent Beach with free access for disabled veterans. They processed my free lifetime pass in a couple minutes, after creating an account online. They have a shuttle from bus benches to beach stairs and back. Not a lot of seaweed, lots of shells, but the undertoe is about 20 ft off shore. It was clean and not crowded. read more

Alright, picture this: It's a sunny Sunday, and I'm trying to escape the chaos of Delray Beach with the spring breakers still hanging around and snowbirds not yet willing to head back north. I'm driving aimlessly, fruther and further north, just hoping to find a quiet spot away from the crowds, when out of the blue, I spot this sign for John D. MacArthur State Park. I think to myself, "Why not?" and turn in. Best spontaneous decision ever! First impressions? It only cost me four bucks to get in (prices vary, don't blame me if you pay more). That's less than the cost of over-rated, too-fancy-for-me coffee Yelpers love to Yelp about, and let me tell you, the place was better for the soul than caffeine. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I was ready for whatever this park had to offer. The nature trails were the first thing that catch my eye. They're shady paths that were perfect to stroll and soak in the greenery and wildlife - thankfully, I didn't encounter any of Satan's children (snakes) or I would have been outta there pretty quick. I'm walking these trails, surrounded by the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, and it was awesome. Then, just as I'm getting into full-on explorer mode, I come across this stunning overwater bridge. I stop there for a bit, just leaning on the railing and watching some kayakers paddle by. But the real showstopper? The beach. A gorgeous stretch of sand that's unguarded and was surprisingly uncrowded. I mean, you can actually lay out your towel and not bump elbows with anyone! I didn't bring my beach chair because, well, this was all unplanned. But no chair, no problem--I had a great time just sitting directly on the sand, watching the waves and working on my burn (I don't tan). Now, getting to the beach is a bit of a hike from the parking lot, which is fine if you're traveling light, but if you've got coolers and beach gear, it might feel like a mini workout. Good news though, they've got this golf cart shuttle that can zip you back and forth. Saves you a trek and gives your arms a break if you're lugging around half your house like so many people do. They also have a gift shop to grab a memento or two, restrooms/changing areas, and beach showers. So, yeah, John D. MacArthur State Park is a great spot, I just wish it we're closer. It's the perfect place to escape the crowds, enjoy some nature, and just have a chill day at the beach. I left feeling totally refreshed and vowing to come back--next time with my beach chair, ready to conquer those trails again and maybe even try a bit of kayaking (probably not, but hey.. maybe). If you're looking for a hidden gem that offers both serene nature walks and a pristine beach experience, this park is it! read more

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We got The tram ride out to the beach, but unfortunately, has to turn right around as we got the last tram of the day. All in all a lovely day read more

Absolutely one of the greatest parks in Palm Beach County! Everything from the staff and volunteers to the small museum-style visitor center made this state park worth the four-dollar entry fee. Upon arriving, you're greeted by a state park employee who collects the fee and answers any questions you might have about the park. The road ahead is clearly marked so you won't get lost or confused. The park has plenty of opportunities and things to do. You can check out everything it has to offer, from kayak rentals to the beach to the education center. Every so often, they seem to host events ranging from music concerts to turtle walks. I highly recommend visiting if you're a nature/outdoors buff, interested in science or geology, or just looking to embrace the local Florida culture. I'm certainly considering buying the annual pass! read more

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Gorgeous park with a hidden beach. The water was blue, blue ands no one was around on a cold rainy day. I enjoyed the walk over on the bridge. The gift shop was a ton of fun. I didn't get to Ted walk trails due to the rain. The staff at the front gate and at the store were super friendly and helpful. read more

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Absolutely gorgeous! Sunset views, just spectacular! Enjoy the walks and take in the views from almost every angle at any moment of the day or evening. Something to enjoy for the entire family. Audra Stone. read more

It's a beautiful park. We never made it all the way to the beach but it's a very pretty way to get to the beach using that long bridge. Place is clean. Gift shop is cute. They're also offering a discount for park entrance for the summer, it's only $4 per car instead of $5. read more

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Amazing place to visit! We rented kayaks and then walked to the beach. Such a great day trip. Highly recommend

The history of this park goes back to the earliest human habitation when Native Americans came to this area to fish. Archeologists have found their middens, garbage dumps containing fragments of bone, shell, and pottery. The middens provide a lot of clues about how the earliest people lived. This park contains Munyon Island. It was first called Nuctsachoo by the Seminoles, which means Pelican Island. In the 1900's Munyon Island had an opulent hotel called the Hygeia. Built by Dr. Jamess Munyon, the hotel burned down in 1915. Today Munyon Island has hiking trails, covered picnic pavilions, and grills but it is only accessible by boat. You can rent kayaks in the park to get out there. The island contains one of the largest wading bird rookeries in South Florida. In the 1940's part of the park was used by Palm Beach Air Force base personnel. By the 1970's the land the park now sits on was owned by John D. MacArthur. A University study convinced MacArtur that his land was ecologically important so he donated a portion of it for a park and gave money to create the park and build the William T. Kirby Nature Center. Both the nature center and the park opened in 1989. There is a bust of MacArthur at the entrance to the boardwalk. John D. MacArthur Park is part of Florida's State Park system. It is the only State Park in Palm Beach. Admission is $5. If you are paying cash it has to be exact change and you drop it in a box. They also accept credit cards. Currently open is the nearly two miles of pristine beach, beach restrooms and the nature trail. The tram and Nature Center remains closed. The Friends of MacArthur State Park operate a gift shop and kayak rental. You can also rent dive flags, lockers, and binoculars. Popular activities at this park include swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and fishing. The park is located on a 438 acre barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lake Worth Lagoon. There is a mixture of coastal and tropical hammock and mangrove forests. The park protects seven species of plants and twenty-two species of animals designated as endangered or threatened. It is also a prime nesting site for shore and wading birds and sea turtles. Off the beach is the Anastasia Limestone Rock Reef, a community that was formed more than 125,000 years ago. On the reef you can find parrotfish, barracuda, damsel fish and loggerhead sea turtles. It is easily accessible from the shore making it excellent for snorkelers. After parking I walked around a bit and found a sea turtle in a tank in front of the nature center where I learned that it takes 1,000 years for glass jars to break down. After watching the turtle swim around for awhile I walked over the 1,600 foot boardwalk that crosses over the estuary and takes you to the beach. On the boardwalk I watched osprey fly overhead and dive into the water to catch fish. Once I crossed over the boardwalk I hiked the one mile boardwalk to beach trail. When the trail ended I walked up to the beach where I found hundreds of seagulls along the shoreline I have never seen so many in one place. It was awesome watching them take flight. This was my first visit to this park but now that I discovered it, it won't be my last. It was too cool for me to go in the water but I can't wait to come back to go swimming and snorkeling, which since this is South Florida could be as soon as next week. I am so grateful that John MacArthur loved this land enough to create a park for people and a sanctuary for plants and animals. It could have so easily ended up as mansions and high rise condos like so much of the South Florida's shoreline. read more

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Spectacular Beaches and stunning views from my perspective ill definitely be back soon

Went to the park yesterday and had a great time renting kayaks and exploring. We got a little lost, but made are way back. The membership is great for people who want to kayak and explore. Can't wait to come back! Didn't see much wildlife, but heard there were manatees nearby that others saw. Hopefully we will see them next time. read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

Wow...what a great place to Kayak. This is my very first time visiting this amazing park. It is very clean, and there are plenty of parking and bathrooms. There are trail and picnic areas as well. Do not know everything that it has to offer. I opted to buy the yearly pass, since it makes most sense; if you go 2x your membership is paid up, which includes entry fee, Kayak and a vest. The lake was at low tide when we arrived. It was a fabulous day. The current was coming fast , and 4 hours later was at higher level. It is very close to nearby restaurants. So, you can go for lunch a few miles up the road going south. read more

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So the park is cool, but if your wanting to just go sit at the beach, this park isn't the best for that. 1) you have to pay to get in when Riviera Beach municipal beach, reef park (when no one is there in the off season), and the beach under the bridge are free. 2) the walk is too long on a hot day, though the walk over the bridge and lagoon is nice, it's not something you want to do if your plan is to just go to the beach. 3) the sand is larger grain here and their are rocky areas that make it not ideal for swimmers or kids playing on the water. You CAN fish here though but again- long Walk to the beach and you are not allowed to fish on the bridge. They do have kayak rentals though, so it's a good spot to go do that for a reasonable price. The gift shop is cute too. read more

I love this State Park! Parking (in the lot nearest to the Nature Center) was simple. The shadiness of the lots allow you to unload/load children and/or strollers, etc, as needed. The Nature Center is small, but the displays seem modern. I recall: aquariums, a couple of caged snakes, a manatee skeleton, drawers of items found on the beach, interactive interpretive displays about dolphins and sea turtles. Two very nice people working at the Center came out to show us their favorite things about the center, pointing things out with enthusiasm. Thank you! My kids and I embarked on the long boardwalk path to the beach-side of the park. In the past, pre-kids, I found this walk somewhat tedious, as I just wanted to get to the beach. Now, I find this path delightful, the walking version of driving to the Keys, with water all around us. At the end, we checked out the Dune Hammock trail. My standard stroller made it mostly fine the whole way, despite it being an unpaved path. Tree markers helped identify plants along the way. A couple of benches here and there provided for our picnic dinner. At the end of the trail is an older wooden building, a shower, and stairs to climb up to the beach. The emptiness of the beautiful beach was pretty cool, and seeing the woods behind us (instead of condos) was refreshing! Last but not least, the bathrooms (next to the Nature Center) are large and clean. After visiting them, I let my kids run and climb and 'perform' in the amphitheater pit. I was conscious that if it began to rain, this covered area is perfect for kids to still be able to get energy out and be kind of outdoors still. All this, and we never even got to the other trail or the playground... next time! In the past, I have been to MacArthur for a beach wedding with a picnic pavilion party, to kayak the Intracoastal, and at a summer camp presentation: all enjoyable and memorable experiences. MacArthur is just a few minutes from all the good stuff that is 'Eastern Palm Beach Gardens': Carmine's, Doris Italian Market & Bakery and Olive U Mediterranean Grill, to name a few. We're so lucky to have so many great options for grabbing a picnic meal to take along (if you visit via PGA Boulevard)! read more

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What an amazing park! I was looking for a beach experience that would have a few hurdles to get to the beach because it usually keeps the riffraff out. This did not disappoint. There is paid parking and a long gorgeous boardwalk that goes from the parking lot to the beach, which crosses over the Lake Worth Lagoon. The beach is pristine, quiet and the water is gorgeous. It was exactly what I was looking for. There is also a Nature Center, Beach Outfitters Gift Shop, standup paddle board rentals, kayak rentals, nature trails, and picnicking facilities. When I move to FL I will be going here often. read more

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This park brings some great memories for me. Back when my kids were small, we used to make the hour long drive every Sunday. We decided to come and recreate a picture we took back in 2005. Man, this place has not changed at all. So peaceful, clean and beautiful, a hidden gem that not many people seem to know about, which is great for the people who do know, but a little sad that not more people are enjoying such an amazing place. The beach is never full, to get to it from where you park, there is a very long boardwalk. You can walk it, like I did, or wait for the trolley that comes back and forth. It sits about six people, less if you have coolers.. The walk is very scenic, you can see lots of birds, people kayaking, trees and even a skyline in the distance, so pretty. There is plenty free parking. You pay $3 to come into the park, though. Reasonably priced kayak rental by the hour, you can snorkel as well. There is also a nature walk, picnic area, and a visitor's center with some tanks with fish and the cutest baby turtle I ever seen other than in Finding Nemo!! and at certain times of the year there are activities for the whole family. I know they have turtle hatching watch. I have not seen it myself, but is on the list. I cannot say nicer things about this park, you have to come and experience it for yourselves. read more

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I came on a Sunday morning during COVID times and had a relaxing time with family. I hadn't been to this beach state park for years, but I'm so glad we decided to come back! To get to the beach, you have to walk about a half a mile on the boardwalk over a large body of water (signs said the tram was not operating due to COVID). It was a very scenic stroll and we saw lots of fish jumping. The beach itself was beautiful. It wasn't crowded at all and even felt like we had our own private area. The water was clear with no annoying patches of floating seaweed. The sand was also clean with no trash (we even saw a few volunteers with their beach clean up tools walking around). On our way back from the beach (around 11am), there were a few large groups making their way to the beach. So perhaps if you want to avoid crowds, the earlier the better. All in all, would definitely recommend this beach for a peaceful morning, especially during this time! read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - View of beach from boardwalk - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

Beautiful state park with a long walk to the beach . The Broadwalk you can see the small fish in the water and birds. I believe you can bring your own paddle board or canoe and perhaps these are rentable at the park. The gift shop, exhibit, and trolley were closed because of covid. The beach was pretty but I don't like sea weed so we left when we saw this. Maybe another time. The entry fee is 6 dollars and parking is a snap.If your In the area its worth the view and walk. read more

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This was such a gorgeous area to explore. They have so many activities to do and I got to try kayaking during my visit. I definitely do want to visit again real soon! read more

How can you review nature ? We came here with a friend while vacationing in Florida . This park charges by the car, in which we paid $5. This park is located about 10 minutes away from a bustling community college , you would never guess it though. It's hidden on the left side of the road. As soon as we drove through we were engulfed by REAL Florida scenery , native fauna and flora . My friend Sam had a paddle board and kayak already which saved us some cash, but they have kayak rentals starting at $18 an hour then $4 per 15 minutes .. not too bad in comparison to some parks ( which we're charging $50 from the get go). The park offered some pretty scenic trails, picnic tables , a little museum and a weigh station . The gift shop , which was also the kayak rental shop , they had a baby sea turtle in a tank outside the shop, which was fun for the kiddos to see, the attendant at the shop was very knowledgeable and kept us in the loop about the weather and upcoming storms; what time to return etc. The bathrooms could've been a little cleaner for my liking, but you get what you get when you're at a state park, right? They offered a complimentary trolley service to and from the park to the beach (operation times were 10am-4pm). We ended up kayaking and paddle boarding with the kids for about 1.5 hours, swam and came back to continue to the beach for the rest of our duration. 2 parks for $5 . Heck yes and overall a memorable time :) the kids got to see sea turtle nests and experience the Atlantic Ocean . Overall amazing visit . Thank you read more

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Great State park. The beach is a must to check out. Family oriented. Parking is only $5 per vehicle. Totally worth it! read more

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This is a beautiful beach just a short walk over a boardwalk. They also have a free golf cart for transport if you desire. The beach and water was perfect, and it wasn't crowded when we went. read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - The beach! - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

My 500th review oh happy day Must check out beach spot as many regulars come here for some fun in da sun. Take the tram to the beach from the souvenirs shop and what a smooth ride over. Wooooo hoooo awesome I would be seriously shaking in my knees walking over the pier dock. read more

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The website states it's pet friendly. So when you drive an hour to be told at the front gate that... only the parking lot is pet friendly? someone needs to update the dang website! .... and it's park? That's out freaking doors?! My dog isn't going to litter? Or graffiti things? .... update your website read more

Great park I would recommend for a day trip or just an hour 2 bucks to get in Best value in the state of Florida! Try the kayaks so fun Education center as well so much to do read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - Serenity - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

Informative learning center. Easy Beach access. Quiet and relaxing. Really enjoyed my visit. read more

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Beautiful trails. great place for a photo shoot. So peaceful always a great place to relax and unwind. read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - The tree of tears - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

This beach is absolutely beautiful. But hard to get to if you want to stay for the day! This was my first time going to this beach, it's about an hour north of us. I had three kids in tow. We had a rolling beach cart and a medium sized cooler. There is no warning anywhere about how far the beach is from where you park. I REALLY wish something was posted somewhere to help families plan for a trip here. It was $5 for all of us to get into the park, not bad at all. However, there was NO parking anywhere near the sign that points to the beach. It was completely full, so we had to back track to the first parking lot we saw when we came in. It's definitely a trek from there just to get to the sign that points to the beach. Well, as it turns out, the sign points in the direction of the beach, but you still have at least a mile walk from there to the beach. After you find parking, you have to walk about 15 minutes to get to the bridge that crosses to the beach, the bridge is another 10-15 minute walk depending on if you have little ones (I did) and stuff to bring with you (I did). There was NO way my two teenagers could carry the cooler all the way to the beach, so they had to wait for the complimentary golf cart, which took them and the cooler over the bridge. My two-year-old and I walked across the bridge. Brutal with the sun beaming down. So after crossing the bridge, you can choose to go up the steps to the crowded part of the beach or go down a dirt path to the part of the beach with less people and no lifeguard. I, being the daring and unsafe mother that I am, chose the dirt path. It was another 10-15 minute walk, again depending on your load and who is part of your squad. My two teenagers, at one point, set the cooler down, sat on it, and cried. They didn't even want to go to the beach anymore. My two-year-old got blisters on the sides of her feet from her all of the walking in her Crocs. She also sat down and cried. I kept walking with the damn rolling beach cart, piled high. I was almost in tears, as well. So, after the dirt path, you come to two flights of ridiculous stairs. When everyone saw that, there were full on tantrums. I thought I was going to pass out half way up the stairs, trying to pull the cart up each step. I had to take a break and was seriously thinking about how long it would take an ambulance to get out here if I dropped. I made sure the kids knew where my cell phone was. It was that bad. So, it took about 20 minutes to get the cart and the cooler up the two flights of stairs and then down the two flights of stairs on the other side. We then left the cooler at the bottom of the stairs and ran for the water. About thirty minutes later, we retrieved the cooler, which was also a decent walk from the stairs to our spot on the beach. We ate and drank everything in the cooler. If it wasn't empty, we were not bringing it back to the car, it was going to stay on the beach. I thought the walk back would be better with an empty cooler, but the rolling beach cart was still the same weight and we were all super tired after five hours at the beach and what it took to get there. So, it took us 30-40 minutes to get back to our car from the beach. Up the stairs. Down the stairs. Through the woods on the dirt path. Across the bridge. Through multiple parking lots to get to the first one. There are no words to describe how tired we were. NEVER go to this beach if you plan on bringing more than a towel and staying longer than an hour or two. We were burnt to a crisp just from walking the bridge each way. After all of that, I have to give this beach park five stars. It's gorgeous. It's all natural. It's worth the drive and the trek, just minus all the crap next time. read more

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park - Parks Near Me - Palm Beach, Florida

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Beautiful park to enjoy for all ages: nature walks, peddle board and kayak rentals, public beach and more!

What an awesome state park. I came here with some friends and we thoroughly enjoyed the beach. Granted, it was the middle of the week, but it wasn't too crowded and there was a golf cart to transport us (and all of our chairs, coolers ect.) down the long board walk to the beach. We also scoped out the nature center, which had some incredible exhibits that included unique sea life and baby turtles - I repeat, baby turtles! We were lucky enough to show up during a wellness check, and got to see one of the little guys up close. My group also came back a few days later to rent some kayaks and had an excellent time. This state park is definitely worth a stop whether you're a local, or a visitor from out of town trying to make the most of a short trip. Everyone we interacted with was helpful and lovely. read more

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It was very peaceful and calm. All you could hear was some fish flipping around in the water. We did not walk to the beach but walked along the pier. The park entrance had beautiful vine trees. There was a baby sea turtle in a tank that greets you. The office was closed when we went. We were hoping to catch the sunset because of where it is located and there is water in the direction of the sunset. Not much of a sunset that night but I am sure you could catch a good one there. Bring your walking shoes. It said manatees pass through there but we did not see any. read more

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I enjoy visiting Florida's state parks but the oceanfront ones tend to grow a engrave a much more captive hold on me than those usually inland. North of Palm beach, this vast green and lushly vegetated park boasts some of those most scenic characteristics in the Central Florida area. Holding an area with both inlet and oceanfront space, it's no dispute why it has enamored the hearts of tourists and locals alike. When you let nature do it's job, it usually over excedes itself and offers you an area like this park which is a beautiful rendering of exactly how magical Florida can be. The wildlife here is amazing to see. The climate is usually friendlier during the colder months. Come see how beautiful Florida van truly be. Nature is truly a sight to soak in and enjoy. read more

Thought it would be a great day for kayaking. We were told it would be a little choppy but we would still have a great ride. 14 MPH winds. It was the worst trip! We spent most of the time walking & pulling the kayaks because it was so shallow. It was 11am and told low tide was supposed to be 12:30ish. If we tried to go towards the deeper area it was counter productive since we were padding against the winds in shallow area. Returned our kayaks after struggling for an hour. Staff should be more honest before allowing customers to spend money for a lousy ride. Too windy read more

Awesome, beautiful beach!! Loved that cart ride out to the beach and the aqua blue water. Beware of sharks right off shore.

This place is awesome!! Have so many great memories here . It's great to kayak, Canoe, Paddle board, fish off the bridge in the estuary , also during high tide fun to jump off the bridge . Low tide is great for exploring the estuary . Make sure to wear water shoes that are very tight !! You will lose them when your feet sink inn the muck . Watch where you step & be respectful of ocean wild life big & small . You can go to big to the small & big island . Idk how to spell them correctly . But, historical site on big island . Awesome little hike . Also , gift shop has tons of educational aspects as well as aquarium & marine creatures to see . I could go ooh and on . Been going there for about 25 years or more . I hope I can find some pictures to add . Most were taken before digital cameras or smart phones were even a twinkle . read more

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