Beaches & Water Sports

South Florida beaches are a natural treasure

Beautiful sandy beaches abound on the east coast of South Florida, with many options for fun that include swimming, snorkeling, diving, boating, parasailing, riding wave runners, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing and fishing. Any time of year is great for water sports, as the water temperature stays balmy throughout the year. Atlantic Ocean water temperatures are much warmer in South Florida than in the rest of Florida, with the average water temperature from December to March between 70 and 74º Fahrenheit and April to November in the range of 78 to 86º. Divers and snorkelers are able to explore reefs and an abundance of deep-water wrecks that are considered among the best in the country for exploration.

Jupiter’s beaches have long been a retreat for surfers and beachgoers. The town is also home to one of the few remaining dog friendly beaches in the state. Take a cruise along the Intracoastal to view Dubois Park, Jupiter Inlet, the celebrity homes of Jupiter Island and the Jupiter Lighthouse. Palm Beach, also known as the playground of the rich and famous, has some of the area’s best beaches. Delray Municipal Beach is a 7,000-foot beach with designated areas for swimming, surfing, volleyball, sailing, wind surfing, snorkeling and flying kites.

Boca Raton’s beaches are a natural treasure, as most are connected to parks. Red Reef Park offers great snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, surfcasting, and strolling over the dunes along a boardwalk and is also one of the few beaches open after dark. The park includes the 15-acre Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on the Intracoastal side. South Inlet Park Beach on the Boca Raton inlet stretches from the ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway, featuring a jetty for fishing and sightseeing. It is also a good place to windsurf, jet ski, canoe or kayak. Follow the inlet to Lake Boca and you will find a favorite hangout for boaters to raft-up, drop anchor and enjoy the day.