Peanut Island guide: What to know before you go to this popular spot near Singer Island
Peanut Island, the 80-acre tropical island located at the west end of the Palm Beach (Lake Worth Beach) Inlet, is a get-there-by-only-boat county park, where long strings of boats raft up while hundreds of people socialize in the shallow off-shore water.
Sound fun? Here’s what to know before you go to the popular island spot.
Park your boat
Tie up at the boat docks. The park offers limited boat docking facilities on the east and west sides of the island. Free slips are available during the day on a first come, first served basis. Find more information about docking at Peanut Island.
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No boat? Take a water taxi
Here's some info according to the independently owned services' websites.
Peanut Island Shuttle Boat
Where: The Peanut Island Shuttle runs out of the Riviera Beach Marina, located at 200 E. 13th St., Riviera Beach.
Price: $16 per adult round trip; $8 for children six years old and younger
Times: Trips are every 25 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. The last boat to the island is at 3 p.m.
Contact: Call 561-777-0438 or visit the website for more information: www.peanutislandshuttleboat.com
COVID note: Face masks no longer mandatory on the boat.
Sailfish Marina: Peanut Island Shuttle service
Where: The Palm Beach Water Taxi runs out of the Sailfish Marina Resort, located at 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores.
Price: $15 per person round trip
Times: Seven days a week departing at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Returning times: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Call or 561-844-1724 or visit the website for more information: www.sailfishmarina.com/water-taxi
Important things to take on your Peanut Island day trip
Chairs, coolers, beach towels, hats, sunscreen, beach umbrellas, floats and snorkel gear.
Food and drinks. Be aware that alcohol is prohibited on Peanut Island, except in the reserved campsites.
Things to do on Peanut Island
Here are highlights on what to do once you get to Peanut Island.
Snorkeling
There are two snorkeling spots — a small reef and a larger lagoon — on the east side of the island, where the incoming tide sweeps in an ever-changing variety of sea critters. Cushion starfish as well as reef dwellers such as parrotfish and angelfish are common visitors. Visibility is superb but be wary of strong currents.
Camping
Camping is allowed on ‘The Nut.’ There are 17 campsites that include a tent pad, grill and picnic table. The facility also features restrooms with hot indoor showers, a picnic pavilion and a large fire ring.
Camping is by permit only and reservations are required. Overnight camping $28 for a single campsite and $56 for an expanded campsite. There is a three-night maximum stay.
Visit https://www.bookyoursite.com/campgrounds/peanutislandfl or call 561-845-4445 or 866-383-5730 for reservations.
Walking
A 1.25-mile paved trail circles the entire island. From it, you have access to a boardwalk through the mangroves on the west side. On the east side, a boardwalk spans the reef area.
Things to see: Birds and sea life from the observation deck on the island’s south side and two boardwalks.
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You can find the latest information about Peanut Island activities on the county site.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Peanut Island, Florida: Water taxi, camping, facts on snorkling
