Peanut Island is a 79‑acre island oasis that feels like a little escape right off the Palm Beach coast. The short ~10‑minute boat ride over is part of the fun — and if you’re lucky, you might spot manatees, sea turtles, rays, and other marine life along the way.

Once you’re on Peanut Island, it’s small, flat, and super easy to explore. You can actually walk the whole loop in about 20 to 30 minutes — but trust me, you’ll want to stick around a lot longer. The sandy beaches and shallow water are perfect for wading or just floating, and there’s a designated snorkeling lagoon that’s easy to get into and great for all skill levels. If you bring your own gear (or rent some nearby), you can also snorkel around the reefs and jetties for even more to see.

There are shaded picnic pavilions and grills if you want to bring lunch, plus restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off. And if you feel like stretching your legs, the 1.25-mile paved nature trail is a really nice walk with water views the whole way. One of the coolest surprises is the historic JFK bunker — yep, there’s a Cold War-era fallout shelter you can tour on certain days with a guide or boat charter.

Come prepared with sunscreen, plenty of water, snacks, and shade. Footwear you don’t mind getting wet is nice too — the sand and walkways can get hot and there are some shells and rocks near the shore.

Getting to Peanut Island is part of the fun. Most people take the seasonal water taxi from Riviera Beach Marina, which is the easiest option when it’s running. If you have access to a private boat, you can head over on your own and anchor near the island. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can kayak or paddleboard over — it’s about a mile from the marina and totally doable on a calm day.