Those looking for a great underwater adventure close to South Florida can find that by snorkeling in Jupiter, where the inlets by the Indian River provide an unparalleled biodiversity to explore.
Jupiter, Florida, the northernmost town in Palm Beach County approximately 80 miles north of Miami, is considered to be one of the most captivating destinations to visit in Florida. Consistently voted as one of the best beach towns in the country, this haven for outdoor enthusiasts has an abundance of parks, nature trails, and golf courses, providing endless opportunities for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and golfing. With miles of pristine coastline across renowned beaches such as Jupiter Beach, Juno Beach, and Carlin Park, there are acres of land where you can soak up the sun.
But the beaches aren’t the only locations that are shining in Jupiter. With its crystal-clear waters and incredible diversity of marine life, snorkeling in Jupiter is a remarkable experience that offers an unparalleled view of the underwater ecosystem in south Florida. Jupiter and nearby Peanut Island provide two of the most rewarding experiences in the West Palm Beach area, and it’s worth checking them out if you have a few extra minutes on your hands as these spots are easily accessible and never too far away from the resorts.
Jupiter, Florida Snorkeling Profile:
- Water Visibility: Great. Water visibility in south Florida is relatively good thanks to the Gulf Stream which pushes the clean Gulf waters north. The inlets may be a bit more murky due to all the human activity you will find that area.
- Current Strength: Below Average but can be fickle. Once again, the area is heavily impacted by the Gulf Stream which reduces the strength of the currents towards the shore.
- Coral Presence: Not as abundant this far up the coast as you may see in the Keys, but there’s still a decent volume of corals by the coast. Mostly sandy bottoms within the inlet.
- Marine Life: Copious amounts of marine life all over Jupiter, with angelfish, sergeant majors, snooks, groupers, and with the bigger species including turtles, nurse sharks, and rays. Jupiter is also well known for its significant barracuda population, but make sure to maintain safe distance with these predators.
- Crowd: Not as busy as one would think. Palm Beach down south gets busier but Jupiter is much more mellow than your typical south Florida vibe.
Getting There:
Closest Airport: Palm Beach International Airport (20 miles, 25 minutes away)
- Serving the Palm Beach County area, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) offers convenient access to the popular vacation destinations of Palm Beach, Jupiter, and the surrounding region. Situated approximately three miles west of downtown West Palm Beach, PBI serves as a destination for multiple domestic carriers, including JetBlue, Delta, and American. The airport provides connections to major cities in the United States, including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston, as well as international destinations in the Caribbean and Canada.
Closest Major Metro: Miami
- Miami is about an hour and half south, and Fort Lauderdale about an hour south, of Jupiter. The Miami metro area, ninth largest in the country, covers all the way from Miami to West Palm Beach. Depending on what type of vacation you are taking, whether it’s party-fueled sunshine time in South Beach or touring golf courses in West Palm Beach, there is a myriad of activities available for any type of traveler to enjoy in the area.
Best Transportation Method to Destination: Fly into Palm Beach International Airport – Rent a car or rideshare
Introduction
Once the home to the Hobe tribe, for whom the name of the city is mistranslated after, Jupiter is surrounded by beautiful natural areas, including the iconic Loxahatchee River, one of Florida’s only designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. You can explore the river’s picturesque waterways by canoe or kayak, and keep an eye out for native wildlife such as manatees, dolphins, and a variety of bird species. The city’s diverse landscape offers something for everyone, whether it’s casting a line into the Atlantic Ocean for a chance to catch prized game fish, or taking a ride down the peaceful waterways of the Intracoastal Waterway, or teeing off at world-class courses, such as Jack Nicklaus’ The Bear Club.
The most famous landmark in the city is the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, which was designed by Union General George Meade and completed in 1860. The Lighthouse is now on the National Register of Historic Places and maintains a museum which provides a glimpse into the area’s maritime history. The surrounding area is known as Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, which serves to safeguard the area’s cultural heritage and ensure the marine ecosystem is well-preserved. This is one of the main reasons why folks get to experience such diverse marine life when snorkeling in Jupiter.
Where to Go Snorkeling in Jupiter
There are several decent places to go snorkeling in Jupiter, but two places stand above the rest: Coral Cove Park, which is on Jupiter Island with a great coastline which harbors corals and a diverse marine life, and Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Reef, a preserved area within the inlet which has schools of various fish swimming around at the bottom. Both spots provide fantastic snorkeling experiences so your decision largely depends on your preference.
Coral Cove Park
Coral Cove Park is the perfect place for snorkelers to get an up-close encounter with vibrant marine life and coral reefs. While the park is a small strip of land sandwiched in between condos, the area to snorkel in stretches as far north as the Blowing Rocks Preserve, another fantastic spot to check out. The beach is easily accessible, right off Beach Road on Jupiter Island, and has ample parking. Walk down to the shore and dive anywhere into the shallow waters to begin exploring the corals and the diverse marine life. The beach is known to be inconsistent with currents depending on the weather, so best to enjoy on a calm, sunny day.
As you explore the fascinating landscape shaped by rocks, natural bridges, and caves at the bottom, you will see schools of various fish, from angelfish, sergeant majors, bar jacks, tarpons, chubs, and more, just swimming and dashing around the corals. It will be astounding the diversity that is present here, from smaller fish to bigger fish, including turtles some of which may be nesting and nurse sharks, all co-inhabiting in peace. There also will be barracudas, beautiful creatures, but make sure to keep your distance as they can be unpredictable. All in all, Coral Cove on a good day is probably the best place for snorkeling in Jupiter.
Cato’s Bridge
The other excellent option for snorkeling in Jupiter is Cato’s Bridge which connects Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area to Jupiter Island. The spot is on the inlet side of the Indian River, which forms a portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in south Florida, and is a boat route for residents on the coastal islands. There is parking within the Natural Area as well as on the side of the road and you take the walk down to the river.
The river does not have any corals but there are rocks and the pillars of the bridge and the moats serve as great artificial reefs for the marine life. Despite the boat traffic, the water visibility is great – even better than Coral Cove Park – and there are tons of fish swimming all around. The volume of marine life is greater here, and while there is significant overlap such as angelfish and sergeant majors, there are much bigger fish that swim in Indian River, most notably snooks.
Please watch out for boats that come by when you are snorkeling in Cato’s Bridge. There are mechanisms beneath the bridge that act as a pathway for boats, so be sure to stay clear of that area and snorkel closer to the shore. The river is sizable so there is plenty of space for you to explore and there is no need to put yourself in harm’s way during a fun excursion.
Final Word:
Jupiter is a delightful blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and a welcoming community. Its stunning beaches, pristine parks, attractions of cultural significance, and array of outdoor activities make Jupiter an outstanding place for travelers or snowbirds to stop by. And of course, let’s not downplay the fact that snorkeling in Jupiter may be the best in all of south Florida. With two fantastic options, both of which hold significant diverse marine life living in harmony in a picturesque underwater ecosystem, it’s a must-see for those that are looking for a memorable underwater excursion.
Snorkeling in Jupiter, Florida Rating: 4/5 Snorkels – One of the Best in South Florida!
