The best things to do in Boynton Beach start at the water. That's not a stretch. The whole city wraps around the Intracoastal Waterway, and most of what makes it special sits right along that stretch of water between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
Boynton Beach doesn't try to be Delray. It doesn't try to be Palm Beach. And that's kind of why it works. There's a local, lived-in feel here that's hard to fake. The marina buzzes. The restaurants face the water. And the Intracoastal runs through it all like a main street you can actually float on.
Here are 10 things worth doing, most of them right on or near the waterway.
This one's the obvious starting point. Because nothing changes how Boynton Beach looks and feels quite like seeing it from the water. The waterfront mansions, the marina traffic, the mangrove edges. It's a different world from a boat deck.
Private charters leave from the Boynton Beach area regularly. Some are sunset-focused. Others are full-day affairs. And for groups, a private yacht or boat rental is surprisingly easy to book from nearby Boca Raton, with routes that cruise straight through the Boynton stretch of the Intracoastal.
Browse the full fleet of boats and yachts to find the right fit for the group size and the kind of day on the water that sounds best.
Banana Boat has been open since 1978. That alone says something. Sitting right on the Intracoastal, it offers patio seating with full views of passing boats and marina traffic. The vibe leans casual and loud (in a good way), with live music on most nights.
A few crowd favorites worth noting:
The restaurant has 250 feet of dock space. So yes, people literally pull up in their boats and walk in for lunch. That's peak South Florida.
Right next to the Banana Boat sits Two Georges. It's been a local spot since 1957, which makes it one of the oldest waterfront restaurants in the area. The mood here skews more relaxed, more "Old Florida" than party scene.
Both restaurants sit at Boynton Harbor Marina. And both let boaters dock while they eat. That's a detail worth knowing if a day on the Intracoastal is already on the agenda.
Here's something most people don't expect. Boynton Beach has a floating tiki bar that cruises the Intracoastal. The Tiki Taxi departs from Boynton Harbor Marina (near Two Georges) and runs about an hour per loop.
Quick details:
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Detail |
Info |
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Departure Point |
Boynton Harbor Marina, 728 Casa Loma Blvd |
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Fare |
Starting at $10 per person |
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Operating Days |
Thurs through Sun |
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Duration |
Roughly 1 hour per ride |
It's a fun, low-cost way to get on the water without planning a full charter. Good for a casual afternoon or a pre-dinner cruise.
Ocean Inlet Park sits on about 11 acres at the south end of Boynton Inlet. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal, which gives paddlers access to both calm waterway channels and open ocean views.
Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available on-site through self-service stations (like the PADL app). For first-timers, the calmer Intracoastal side is the better bet. Experienced paddlers tend to head toward the inlet mouth for stronger currents and jetty views. Free parking is a nice bonus.
The Boynton Inlet (also called South Lake Worth Inlet) cuts through the barrier island, connecting the lagoon to the ocean. It's one of the better shore-fishing spots in Palm Beach County.
Both sides of the inlet have walkable access for anglers. Snook, tarpon, and jack crevalle are common catches here. No boat needed, either. Just a rod and a valid license.
For something bigger, offshore fishing charters leave from Boynton Harbor Marina. They run half-day and full-day trips, and most provide all the gear.
Not everything along the Intracoastal involves saltwater. Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands sits a short drive inland in Boynton Beach and offers 1.5 miles of elevated boardwalk over 100 acres of constructed wetlands.
Here's the thing. This place is free. Completely free. The boardwalk winds through habitat zones full of herons, alligators, turtles, and during migration season, painted buntings and roseate spoonbills. The nature center has live animal exhibits and runs educational programs for kids.
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Green Cay Details |
Info |
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Address |
12800 Hagen Ranch Rd, Boynton Beach |
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Boardwalk Hours |
Sunrise to sunset, daily |
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Nature Center |
Wed through Sat, 9 AM to 3 PM |
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Admission |
Free |
It's one of the best free things to do in Boynton Beach. Period.
Every December, the Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade lights up the Intracoastal. Boats decked out in holiday lights and decorations cruise from the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana south through Boynton toward Delray Beach. The parade usually kicks off around 6:30 PM on the second Friday of December.
Boynton Harbor Marina (735 Casa Loma Blvd) is the official watch location. But plenty of people line the waterway or grab dinner at Banana Boat or Two Georges and watch from the patio. It's one of those events that feels small-town in the best possible way.
And for the ultimate experience? Some people watch the whole thing from a private boat on the Intracoastal itself. That's tough to beat.
For tips on timing and positioning a boat for the best views at golden hour, this guide to planning a sunset cruise in Boca Raton covers everything worth knowing.
South Florida's mangrove ecosystems are quietly some of the most interesting natural features in the region. And Boynton Beach has solid access points along the Intracoastal.
Paddlers and boaters can explore shallow mangrove channels near Ocean Ridge and the inlets south of the Boynton area. These spots are home to juvenile fish, wading birds, and the occasional manatee. A small boat or kayak works best for getting into the tighter channels. But a larger charter can cruise right along the edges and still catch plenty of the scenery.
It's one of those activities that sounds low-key but turns into the highlight of a trip. Especially for families or groups that want something different from a typical beach day.
Sandbars are a big deal along this part of the Intracoastal. On weekends, locals anchor up on shallow sand flats near the Boynton Inlet and spend the afternoon floating, swimming, and hanging out in waist-deep water.
There's no way to reach the sandbars without a boat, though. That's part of the charm. A rental from nearby Boca Raton makes it easy. Just cruise north through the Intracoastal, drop anchor, and set up camp for the day.
It's an only-in-South-Florida kind of afternoon. A private boat charter from Boca Raton makes the trip simple, with captained vessels that handle the route north through the Intracoastal.
Look, plenty of coastal towns in Florida have nice beaches. But the Intracoastal is what makes Boynton Beach different. It connects the marina to the restaurants, the parks to the inlet, and the mangroves to the sandbars. Almost every standout activity in the city touches this waterway.
And the easiest way to access most of it? Get on a boat. Whether that means a kayak, a chartered yacht, or a rental for the day, the Intracoastal is best seen from the water.
What are the best things to do in Boynton Beach along the Intracoastal?
The top activities include waterfront dining at Banana Boat and Two Georges, riding the Tiki Taxi, kayaking from Ocean Inlet Park, cruising the Intracoastal by private boat, fishing the Boynton Inlet, and visiting Green Cay Wetlands. Most of these are within a few minutes of Boynton Harbor Marina.
Can you rent a boat to cruise the Boynton Beach Intracoastal?
Yes. Private boat and yacht charters are available from nearby Boca Raton, with routes that cover the Boynton Beach section of the Intracoastal Waterway. Options range from small day boats to full-size yachts, depending on group size and budget.
Is the Boynton Beach Intracoastal good for kayaking and paddleboarding?
It is. Ocean Inlet Park has a dedicated launch area for kayaks and paddleboards, plus self-service rental stations. The calmer Intracoastal side works well for beginners. More experienced paddlers can head toward the Boynton Inlet for stronger currents.
When is the Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade?
The parade typically takes place on the second Friday of December each year. Decorated boats cruise the Intracoastal from Lantana south through Boynton Beach toward Delray Beach, starting at around 6:30 PM. The official viewing spot is Boynton Harbor Marina.