John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

by Jim
(Palm Beach, FL)

Beach baby

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is located 2.8 miles south of the intersection of U.S.1 and PGA Blvd. on A1A in North Palm Beach. Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

The park is a great place to take the family. It has ample parking, a nature center, and ranger-guided kayak tours of the lagoon.

A shuttle will take you across the wooden bridge spanning the lagoon, although walking the bridge is a treat for the kids. There is much aquatic life to be seen on the way to the beach in the mangrove forests and shallow waters of the lagoon!

Birdwatchers can see herons, brown pelicans, terns, sandpipers, and gulls. The beach is a calm, clean environment with showers, a nature walk, and a snorkeling reef close to the shore. I have seen manta rays, eels, tropical fish, the occasional barracuda, and sea turtles while snorkeling there.

The nature center at John D. MacArthur Beach is great for the kids since it has aquariums with fish and turtles, plenty of fossils and interesting nature displays.

The water is warm and clear for a majority of the year. The waves there are good for boogie boarding.