9 Peanut Island Things to Do That are Only Reached by Boat

Quick answer: Peanut Island is an 80-acre man-made park in the Lake Worth Lagoon near Riviera Beach, and there are no bridges or roads to it. The only way in is by water. The best Peanut Island things to do include rafting up at the northern sandbar, snorkeling the man-made reef lagoon, walking the 280-foot Reef Boardwalk, paddling the mangroves, fishing the flats, beaching for a swim, picnicking under the pavilions, viewing the historic JFK bunker site, and camping overnight. You reach all of it with your own boat, a rental, or a water taxi.

Here's the thing about Peanut Island. It looks like a tropical getaway, but it started as a dredge spoil pile a little over a hundred years ago. Sand from digging out the Lake Worth Inlet got dumped here, mature palms grew in, and now it's one of the most loved day-boating spots in Palm Beach County. And because it sits out in the lagoon with no land connection, everything on this list is genuinely boat-only.

If you're cruising up from the Boca Raton area, the run north through the Intracoastal is part of the fun. Just plan for shallow water near the island (depths run roughly 2 to 6 feet depending on the tide) and time your arrival for a higher tide so you don't kiss a sandbar. A Palm Beach boat rental puts you closest to the island, so you spend more of the day on the water and less of it getting there.

1. Raft up at the northern sandbar

The giant sandbar off the north tip of the island is the see-and-be-seen spot on weekends and holidays. Boats tie together, coolers come out, music plays, and everyone stands around in ankle-deep water. It's basically a floating block party.

A few things worth knowing:

• Anchor outside the marked channels so you don't block traffic
• At low tide, the bar gets exposed, and you can beach the boat.
• At high tide, you anchor while the bar sits just under the surface.
• Weekends get packed, so arrive early if you want a good spot.

2. Snorkel the man-made reef lagoon

One of the coolest surprises here. The island has a protected snorkeling lagoon built up with artificial reef structures, and the water stays calm and clear enough that beginners can actually see stuff. Fish, the occasional ray, all of it. It's easily one of the top Peanut Island things to do if you've got kids or first-time snorkelers aboard, because the sheltered water does the hard work for you.

Bring your own gear. There's no shop on the island to rent from once you're out there.

3. Walk the Reef Boardwalk over the lagoon

On the south side, the Reef Boardwalk zigzags about 280 feet out over the turquoise water of Lake Worth Lagoon. You get the breeze, the views, and a decent shot at spotting fish moving below the railings. Nice little break from the sand, and a good photo stop.

4. Paddle the mangroves (and maybe meet a manatee)

The Mangrove Pathway on the west side is the quieter, wilder corner of the island. The sheltered bays around here are calm, which makes them great for kayaks and paddleboards, especially if you're still getting your balance. Manatees show up here sometimes, mostly in cooler months, so keep your eyes open and give them space.

You can launch small craft from Phil Foster Park nearby, or just bring them along on the boat.

5. Fish the flats, beaches, and shoreline

Anglers do well around Peanut Island. Surf fishing off the beaches and casting along the shoreline puts you in reach of some solid saltwater species. Common targets include:

Inshore fishing around the intracoastal is productive too. Bring a Florida saltwater license and check current regs before you keep anything.

6. See the JFK "Detachment Hotel" bunker site

This is the island's famous secret. In late 1961, during the run-up to the Cuban Missile Crisis, Navy Seabees built a fallout shelter here in about two weeks as an emergency command post for President Kennedy, whose family compound sat minutes away across the water. It even has one of only two presidential seals in Florida.

Now, the honest update: the bunker has been closed to the public since 2017. Palm Beach County took over the lease and is working through a multimillion-dollar restoration of the bunker and the 1930s Coast Guard station, but as of now, there's no active tour program and no firm reopening date. You can walk the west trail near the site and take in the history from outside. Guided tours are expected to return once the work is done, so it's a "watch this space" attraction.

7. Claim a beach and swim in the protected lagoons

The sandy beach wraps almost the whole way around the island, and there are calm, protected swimming areas that are great for families. Pro tip from folks who go often: most people crowd the eastern side near the pavilions and restrooms. Walk north on the paved loop trail, and you can usually find a stretch of beach nearly to yourself. You give up easy bathroom access, but you gain a private slice of sand.

8. Picnic and grill under the pavilions

There are covered picnic tables, grills in the designated spots, and restrooms on both the east and west sides. Great for a proper cookout day.

Two rules that trip people up, so pack accordingly:

• No food concessions exist on the island. Bring everything, including plenty of drinking water.
• No alcohol is allowed anywhere on the island or on the shuttle boats. That's a county regulation, not a suggestion.

Dogs are welcome on a leash, which is a nice bonus.

9. Camp overnight on the water

Yes, you can actually sleep out here. The island has 17 designated tent sites, each with a picnic table, grill, and fire ring, plus on-site restrooms, showers, and fresh drinking water. Waking up on a lagoon island with your boat tied up nearby is about as good as a Florida weekend gets. After-dark dock use is reserved for registered campers only, so book your site ahead.

Getting there: what you'll want to know.

Since every single item above requires water access, how you get out matters. Your options:

Renting a boat is the move if you want to run your own schedule, load up the family and the gear, and hit the sandbar, snorkel spot, and beach all in one trip without watching a shuttle clock. Browse our fleet of boats and yachts to match the vessel to your group size, whether it's a small crew or the whole family. Bocaratonboatrental.com can set you up with a vessel so the whole day is yours, from the cruise north to the last swim before sunset.

Pack sunscreen, hats, beach chairs, a full cooler of food and water, and your snorkel gear. Watch the tides. Then go enjoy an island that, honestly, most people driving around South Florida never even realize they can reach.

FAQs

Is Peanut Island only accessible by boat?

Yes. There are no bridges or roads. You get there by private boat, rental boat, kayak, paddleboard, jet ski, or water taxi from nearby marinas.

Is the JFK bunker open for tours right now?

No. It has been closed since 2017 and is under a county restoration project. There's no confirmed reopening date yet, though guided tours are expected to return eventually. You can still view the site from the west trail.

Can you swim and snorkel at Peanut Island?

Absolutely. There are protected swimming lagoons with calm water and a man-made reef snorkeling area, both good for families and beginners. Bring your own snorkel gear, since nothing is rented on the island.

Do the boat docks and slips cost money?

No. The day-use slips on the east and west sides are free and first-come, first-served, from sunrise to sunset. Overnight dock use is limited to registered campers.