Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Beaches

While not as white and fine as the shores on Florida's west coast, the beaches here provide good stomping grounds for hikers, well-guarded waters for swimmers, decent waves for surfers, and plenty of opportunities for sand-castle building and shell collecting.

Miles of sandy shoreline can be found here beside gorgeous blue-green waters you won't find farther north. The average year-round water temperature is 74F, much warmer than Southern California beaches that average a comparatively chilly 62F.

Humans aren't alone in finding the shores inviting. Migratory birds flock to the beaches, too, as do sea turtles, who come between May and August to lay their eggs in the sand. Locally organized watches take small groups out at night to observe mother turtles as they waddle onto shore, dig holes with their flippers and deposit their golf-ball-sized eggs into the sand. Hatchlings emerge about 45 days later.

When to Go

Palm Beach and Treasure Coast beaches are warm, clear, and sparkling all year long, but the best time to get in the water is between December and March. The shorelines are often more crowded then, but you don't have to worry about jellyfish or sea lice when you take a dip. Sea lice can cause welts, blisters, and rashes. The crowds thin out during summer and fall months, which is inviting, but jellyfish and sea lice can be a problem then.

Palm Beach and Treasure Coast's Best Beaches

Delray

If you're looking for a place to see and be seen, head for Delray's wide expanse of sand, which stretches 2 mi, half of it supervised by lifeguards. Reefs off the coast are popular with divers, as is a sunken Spanish galleon less than ½ mi offshore from the Seagate Club on the south end of the beach. Pros: good for swimmers and sunbathers; bars and restaurants across the street; cabanas and catamarans available for rent. Cons: often a long walk to the public restrooms.

John D. MacArthur State Park

If getting far from the madding crowd is your goal, John D. MacArthur State Park on the north end of Singer Island is a good choice. You will find a great place for snorkeling, kayaking, bird-watching, and fishing. Part of the beach was once dedicated to topless bathers, but that is no longer the case. Pros: guides to local flora and fauna are available; a good place to spot sea turtles. Cons: beach is a long walk from the parking lot.

Juno Beach

Juno Beach sports a 990-foot pier and a bait shop for those who like to spend their morning fishing. But the shoreline itself is a favorite for families with kids who drag along sand toys, build castles, and hunt for shells. Pros: concession stand and a bait shop. Cons: beach isn't as wide as others.

Red Reef Park

Looking for a great place to snorkel? This Boca Raton beach is just the ticket, and it doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a pro. The reef is only about 50 feet off shore. Expect to see tropical fish and maybe even a manatee or two. Pros: the park's showers and bathrooms are kept clean and there's a playground for kids. Cons: if you go at low tide, you're not going to see as many tropical fish.

Stuart Beach

When the waves robustly roll in at Stuart Beach, the surfers are rolling in, too. Beginning surfers are especially keen on Stuart Beach because of its ever-vigilant lifeguards, while pros to the sport like the challenges the choppy waters here bring. Beachgoers with kids like the snack bar known for its chicken fingers, and for those who like a side of museum musing with their day in the sun, there's an impressive collection of antique cars at a museum just steps from the beach. Pros: parking is easy to find, and there are three boardwalks for easy access to the beach. Cons: sand and surf can be rocky.