When I think of West Palm Beach, I think of palms silhouetted against a sherbet sky and water so clear it looks like glass warmed by the sun. But it wasn’t until I started visiting each beach, one by one, that I realized how varied this stretch of coast really is. Some beaches here feel wild, with sea grapes and natural dunes. Others are polished, framed by resort umbrellas and fine-grit sand. I came looking for a few places to swim and ended up walking long shorelines, collecting stories with sand still stuck to my ankles. These beaches didn’t just offer sunshine—they gave me space to breathe.
Best Beaches in West Palm Beach:
John D. Macarthur Beach State Park: Nature's Quietest Corner
The walk to the beach here is part of the magic. A long wooden boardwalk winds over mangroves and estuary water, shaded by palms and the occasional osprey gliding overhead. It smelled like salt and warm wood. By the time I reached the sand, I felt like I’d earned it.
The beach itself was peaceful and wide, backed by tall dunes and tangled vegetation. No crowds. No blaring speakers. Just waves and wind. I floated in the water for a long time, then sat in the shade and thought, “If the ocean had a library, it would feel like this.”
I brought a pressed sandwich from a local deli—roasted veggies with mozzarella and balsamic on focaccia. It was warm from the walk, the cheese soft and fragrant. I ate it slowly under a sea grape tree while the waves hummed nearby.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 20 minutes
- Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for solitude, low tide for shelling
- Vibe: Wild, quiet, restorative
- Highlights: Boardwalk, snorkeling reef, birdwatching
- Facilities: Restrooms, nature center, picnic areas
- Cost: $5 per vehicle
- Food Nearby: Bring your own—nothing inside the park
Palm Beach: Refined and Radiant
Palm Beach felt like it was wearing sunglasses, even in the shade. Everything was elegant—the roads, the storefronts, the sand itself, which looked like it had been fluffed that morning. But it didn’t feel cold. Just well-kept. I parked near Clarke Avenue beach access, walked past stone gates, and stepped onto a shoreline that practically whispered luxury.
The Atlantic sparkled like jewelry, and the waves came in clean and glassy. I waded in, watched paddleboarders cruise by like it was no big deal, and thought, “This is the beach version of linen pants and lemon water.”
I had lunch afterward at Green’s Pharmacy—a retro lunch counter with a grilled cheese so perfect I didn’t even miss the tomato soup. The bread was golden and buttery, the cheese hot enough to string between bites, and the whole place smelled like comfort food in an air-conditioned time capsule.
Palm Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 10 minutes
- Address: Clarke Ave Beach Access, Palm Beach, FL 33480
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for parking and light
- Vibe: Polished, upscale, timeless
- Highlights: Smooth sand, low surf, luxury surroundings
- Facilities: Limited—some public access points, few restrooms
- Cost: Metered parking
- Food Nearby: Green’s Pharmacy for a classic diner-style meal
Lake Worth Beach: Colorful and Unfiltered
Lake Worth Beach didn’t ease me in—it jumped out with bright colors, loud music from nearby patios, and a scent mix of sunscreen and fried shrimp wafting off the breeze. It felt playful, lived-in, real. The kind of place where flip-flops slap the pavement and kids eat snow cones before lunch.
The beach itself was lovely—long and sandy, with soft waves perfect for swimming. I walked the pier, which gave me a panoramic view of umbrellas and towels fanned out below. "It’s messy in the best way,” I thought, watching a sandcastle slowly lose a turret to the tide.
Lunch came from Benny’s on the Beach, right on the pier. I ordered the fish tacos, and when they arrived, they smelled like lime, spice, and the ocean all at once. The mahi was fresh and flaky, the slaw crunchy, and I ate them with my feet propped on the railing, sauce dribbling onto my paper plate.
Lake Worth Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 20 minutes
- Address: 10 S Ocean Blvd, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for full energy, golden hour for pier views
- Vibe: Bright, casual, social
- Highlights: Public pier, beachside dining, easy access
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, paid parking
- Cost: Metered parking, small fee for pier
- Food Nearby: Benny’s on the Beach for tacos with a view
Juno Beach: Wind, Waves, and Sea Turtles
Juno Beach was where I exhaled again. Less crowded than its neighbors, it felt open and honest. There were surfers chasing clean breaks near the pier, a few solo walkers combing the shore for shells, and above it all, the constant whisper of breeze in the palms.
The water here had a sharper energy—cool, fast-moving, and blue in a way that made the clouds jealous. I stood near the surf zone, watching the sets roll in, and thought, “Some beaches speak in full sentences—this one speaks in wind.”
I brought lunch from a local café: a quinoa bowl with grilled veggies and lemon vinaigrette. It smelled like citrus and garlic, and the mix of warm squash and chilled grains hit the spot after a swim. I ate it perched on a driftwood log with my towel draped across my lap, content in the quiet.
Juno Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 25 minutes
- Address: 14775 US-1, Juno Beach, FL 33408
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for waves, evening for a quiet walk
- Vibe: Breezy, peaceful, a little sporty
- Highlights: Long pier, sea turtle center nearby, great surf
- Facilities: Restrooms, pier access, beach parking
- Cost: Free access, pier entry fee
- Food Nearby: Pack lunch or grab healthy eats in town
Delray Beach: A Little Bit of Everything
Delray was where the beach met the town and neither backed down. It buzzed with people and patio dining, colorful buildings and laid-back music drifting down Atlantic Avenue. Still, when I stepped onto the sand, it felt like I’d hit pause on the whole scene.
The beach was wide and welcoming, with lifeguards in red towers and a shoreline dotted with locals and travelers alike. The waves were easy and warm, perfect for floating between beach breaks. I stretched out with my towel and thought, “This is the beach that shows up for everybody.”
Lunch was at Caffe Luna Rosa—a caprese panini with basil so fresh it could’ve been picked that morning. The mozzarella was soft and slightly salty, and the tomatoes were sweet with just a hint of sea air clinging to the bread. I ate at a shaded outdoor table with sand still stuck to my ankles.
Delray Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 35 minutes
- Address: S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for space, afternoon for buzz
- Vibe: Energetic, walkable, mix of beach day and downtown
- Highlights: Atlantic Avenue, soft sand, people-watching
- Facilities: Showers, restrooms, lifeguards
- Cost: Metered parking
- Food Nearby: Caffe Luna Rosa for beachy Italian with a breeze
Carlin Park: Sand and Simplicity
Carlin Park felt like one of those places locals don’t talk about because they want to keep it. There was no big entrance, no flashy promenade—just a long stretch of beach with sea oats, quiet walkways, and the sound of waves doing their work in the background.
I found a spot between two families and spread out under a spindly palm. The sand was light and coarse, the kind that clings to your ankles in patches. It was peaceful, a little breezy, and just far enough from everything. "This is where people come when they’re not trying to impress anyone,” I thought.
I picked up a turkey sandwich from a nearby café—roasted turkey with avocado and sprouts on sourdough. It smelled fresh and grassy from the greens, and the bread had that soft pull that only comes from something just baked. I ate in the shade of a picnic pavilion with the beach just a few steps away.
Carlin Park At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 30 minutes
- Address: 400 Florida A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for shade, late afternoon for calm
- Vibe: Understated, relaxed, local-loved
- Highlights: Walking paths, beachside grills, easy access
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic shelters
- Cost: Free
- Food Nearby: Bring a sandwich or grab something nearby in Jupiter
Peanut Island: An Adventure to Get There
The name alone made me curious. Peanut Island sits in the Intracoastal, just a quick boat taxi away, and getting there felt like the first part of the fun. I hopped aboard a water shuttle and within minutes was walking a shell-lined path beneath coconut palms and sea grape trees.
The beach here wrapped around the island like a soft curve. The water was calm, almost glassy, and clear enough to see fish darting past my ankles. I swam out past the swimmers and floated for a while, thinking, "I didn’t know Florida still had places that felt this unbothered."
I brought my own lunch: a caprese wrap packed with basil, tomato, and mozzarella, drizzled with balsamic. It smelled sweet and tangy and paired perfectly with the ocean air. I ate it sitting on a rock wall, towel draped over my shoulders, not quite ready to catch the boat back.
Peanut Island At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 15 minutes to ferry dock
- Address: Ferry access from Riviera Beach Marina
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for quiet, early for best snorkeling
- Vibe: Secluded, tropical, a little adventurous
- Highlights: Clear water, snorkeling, Kennedy bunker
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic spots, camping (with permit)
- Cost: ~$20 roundtrip water taxi, or paddle your own kayak
- Food Nearby: Bring your own—no food for sale on the island
Ocean Reef Park & Oceanfront Park: Side-by-Side Serenity
I visited these two parks back-to-back and found myself caught between wanting to stretch out at one and linger at the other. Ocean Reef Park came first—a clean beach with gentle waves and lifeguard towers casting long shadows on the sand. Families played in the shallows, and I walked the length of the shoreline without stepping over a single shell.
Just a few miles down, Oceanfront Park felt more tucked-in, framed by low dunes and scattered palms. It was less crowded, a little sleepier, and perfect for digging my toes into the sand and doing nothing but watching clouds shift shapes above the water.
I grabbed lunch from an unassuming deli nearby—hummus and veggie pita with cucumbers, red onions, and a sprinkle of dill. It smelled like summer picnics and tasted light and salty in the heat. I ate on a bench under a sea grape tree while a breeze made the leaves chatter softly above me.
Ocean Reef & Oceanfront Parks At a Glance
- Drive time from West Palm Beach: 20–25 minutes
- Addresses:
Ocean Reef Park: 3860 N Ocean Dr, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Oceanfront Park: 6415 N Ocean Blvd, Boynton Beach, FL 33435 - Best Time to Visit: Midmorning for sunshine, late afternoon for breeze
- Vibe: Ocean Reef—active and well-kept; Oceanfront—calm and intimate
- Highlights: Easy access, picnic spots, soft sand
- Facilities: Restrooms, lifeguards, pavilions
- Cost: Free access with paid parking
- Food Nearby: Small local delis—perfect for takeaway
Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida: Conclusion
I didn’t realize how many different kinds of beach days I could fit into one region. West Palm Beach gave me quiet mornings in the mangroves, long afternoons with sandy sandwiches and borrowed shade, and even a few boardwalk scenes loud enough to shake the salt from my shoulders. Some days I swam until I felt weightless. Other days I just sat in the sand and let the breeze write its own story across my skin. From polished Palm Beach to wild Peanut Island, every stop gave me something new—and somehow, something I’d been missing. I didn’t leave with just memories. I left feeling reset.
Jump to a Spot...
- • John D. Macarthur Beach State Park: Nature's Quietest Corner
- • Palm Beach: Refined and Radiant
- • Lake Worth Beach: Colorful and Unfiltered
- • Juno Beach: Wind, Waves, and Sea Turtles
- • Delray Beach: A Little Bit of Everything
- • Carlin Park: Sand and Simplicity
- • Peanut Island: An Adventure to Get There
- • Ocean Reef Park & Oceanfront Park: Side-by-Side Serenity
- • Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida: Conclusion