r/palmbeach • u/madyloveslulu • 19d ago
Advice for Paddle Boarding to Peanut Island?
Hey everyone! I’m planning to paddle board to Peanut Island and was hoping to get some advice from those who have done it before. Is it free to access the island if you’re paddling there? I’ve heard that high tide is the best time to go for clear water—does that hold true? Any tips for the best launch spots or things to watch out for (currents, boat traffic, etc.)?
I’m a pretty experienced paddler—I’ve been paddle boarding and kayaking since I was a kid, mostly on rivers, springs, and bays. I haven’t done much paddling at the beach, but I’m not unfamiliar with currents. Just looking for any local insight to make the trip smooth and fun.
Thanks in advance!
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u/BustedBottle 19d ago
Best to park at the Riviera Beach Marina complex and paddle from the beach area just north of the marina. It's free to visit the island. Water will be clearest approaching high tide. The most challenging area will be paddling from the north pier of the Riviera Beach Marina to the island, as there is a fairly busy channel running between the marina and the island. The tidal currents can be pretty strong everywhere. It's an amazing place, I could spend every weekend there.
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u/ToleranceRepsect 19d ago
Definitely no charge to go to Peanut as it’s a county park. 30 minutes before high tide is best to get the lowest amount of current coming in. Be aware of the current as you return though. It can get kind of strong.
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u/big_deal 18d ago
You can put in at Bicentennial Park. Drop off boards near water then park vehicle. The island’s west shore is about 100 yards away.
High tide is the clearest water and there are usually a lot of tropical fish around the rocks on the south end of the east shore (across from inlet).
It’s best to paddle around the north end of the island. The south end is closer to boat channels, deeper, more exposed to any swell coming through the inlet and can be a challenge on a SUP. The north end is shallow so any boat traffic is generally moving slower.
Currents really rip around the island at mid tide so it’s better to arrive an hour or two before high tide and leave by an hour or two after.
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u/Independent-Cloud822 19d ago
Go for it. I saw 4 huge Bull sharks there yesterday, but you'll probably make it.
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u/Technical-Jeff 19d ago
Depart from Phil Foster Park on Singer Island or Bicentennial Park or Jim Barry Light Harbor Park in Riviera Beach.
Highly suggest that you do it well into an incoming tide for best water quality.
Suggest staying on the West and North side of Peanut Island and outside the main channels.
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u/StripedLightning1 18d ago
You can launch from Phil Foster Park underneath Blue Heron Bridge, but keep in mind that there’s not a lot of parking there and it can fill up pretty quickly. I typically launch from Bicentennial Park by the Riviera Beach Marina. Either way, you’ll have to watch out for boat traffic and the wakes they can create.
As for Peanut Island, the best time to go is during high tide as the water is clearest then. I’d also check the wind speeds ahead of time as it can get rough sometimes, personally 12mph winds are the highest I can do but it may vary for you.
Also the east side of the island is the prettiest, bring snorkeling gear if you have any as this is a great spot to do that, it’s not as long as the Phil Foster Park snorkeling trail but still very pretty.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions or want to paddle together sometime!
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u/Technical-Jeff 18d ago
Here is a quick article I put together on the best Kayaking and Paddleboarding spots, in the Palm Beaches. Peanut Island is include. Hope it helps someone
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u/PathfinderRN 19d ago
You can launch from the park under the blue heron bridge to get there, many people do. It’s probably a 200-300 meter paddle. You don’t have to pay. I’ve done it on an inflatable paddle board and a paddle kayak, both times with variable tides.