| Blowing Rocks |
| 574 S. Beach Road, Hobe Sound |
| 744-6668 |
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 This park is actually in Martin County, but barely. It is one of the most “exotic” beaches you can go to around here. There are rocks that jut out over the beach so that depending on the tides you can go down below them and have little hidey places for the kids or park yourself above them. We love going to this beach. It’s a bit of a hike up to Martin Co. and there aren’t many facilities but it’s worth it. There is an admission fee and parking is limited. |
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| MacArthur State Park |
| 10900 State Road A1a, North Palm Beach |
| 624-6952 |
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| www.macarthurbeach.org |
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 This beach is more central to residents of PB County. If you’re at the Gardens Mall and you keep heading east you’ll go right past it. I love this beach. We’ve actually had a birthday party for my son here. You can rent a pavilion and set it up with the park service so you pay for everyone in your group that attends. There’s a shuttle to take you from one end of the boardwalk (it’s really long) to the other so you don’t have to hike in the heat and the water is beautiful. Since there’s an admission here too, the beach doesn’t get too crowded. |
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| Palm Beach Public Beach (Midtown) |
| S. Ocean Blvd. between Chilean and Brazilian Ave |
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 This is where you can go if you need to find me if I’m not at the pool, at the library, eating somewhere or when I’m not answering my phone because I’m taking a nap and I don’t want to admit it. If this beach were closed because of a natural disaster I don’t know what I’d do. I think I’d move. Really. It was a really big deal for me recently because I changed from using the Brazilian Ave entrance to using the Chilean Ave entrance. Chilean has a shower (it’s actually a pipe with water coming out but I like to call it a “shower”).. The reason I go to this beach so much is because it’s close and there are lifeguards. Sometimes after school I’ll even take the kids to the beach. About the lifeguards, I had a scare when my oldest was about a year and a half, I was at a beach on the north end with a friend and I got pulled under and my son got pulled out of my arms. It was a terrifying experience. Especially since I am not a strong swimmer. Anyway, I will not go to the beach by myself when I’m in charge of kids unless there are lifeguards present. Plus, since there are so many tourists around it always feels like you’re on holiday when you go here. |
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| Phipps Ocean Park |
| South of Southern Blvd., Palm Beach |
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 I have always wanted to go to this beach but for some reason or another I never have, until recently. What a treat! I think the guarded part of this beach is actually longer than Midtown Beach. Another bonus is there are restrooms, picnic tables and swings. I can't wait to go back.
For directions, go south past Worth Ave. Keep going, keep going and keep going. You'll get there eventually. |