Singer Island / Palm Beach : Things to Do
I’ve traveled a lot, but some places have a bigger meaning or impact on my life than others. Singer Island, Florida is one of these spots that will always have a part of my heart!
Growing up, my grandparents had a condo on this gorgeous island near West Palm Beach. Every summer we’d spend two weeks there. Until I was 25, it was host to some of the absolute best times of my life.
With that, here are my top Palm Beach & Singer Island things to do!
Swim & Snorkel– Singer Island of course has soft sandy beaches and warm water, but what makes it stand out to me is it’s easy to do offshore snorkeling! The water is slightly murky, but clear enough to still see.
Several times I would swim out from shore, and be able to see a variety of fish at the reefs, including a good amount of tiger sharks!
There are guided snorkel expeditions in the area too, but for me I’ve found the best offshore snorkeling is at the extreme southern end of the island near the inlet. It’s also actually “Florida’s easternmost point”. Check my map for the specific spot I recommend!
Shelling– Some beaches are great, but they don’t have many shells. Singer Island is a gem because it actually has loads of gorgeous and unique shells. If “shelling” is something you love, this stretch of beach is perfect for you!
Another great activity is a simple one: stroll the beach! It’s not ever very crowded, and there are several rocky outcroppings great for photos (see my map for the exact spot!). If you go look for shells in the spot I recommend too (also on my map!), you’ll pass by a few more of these rocky areas.
Rescued Turtles– Singer Island is host to a healthy population of the endangered loggerhead turtles. You’ll see several taped-off nests on the beach, and if you’re lucky you might even witness a female coming up to lay eggs at night.
The area has lots of protections in place for them, and if you want to see some up close check out the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. It has a small museum area, and several tanks where injured turtles are being rehabilitated before returning to the ocean.
Sailfish Marina– Officially one of my favorite places in the area, the Sailfish Marina has several activities for adults and kids. The Sailfish Marina’s Restaurant is a bit pricey, but has quality seafood and a great ambiance.
One of the best things to do here is buy some fish food at the gift shop, and stand on the docks to feed the throngs of fish that congregate. I’ve seen several unique and large fish at the marina, and it’s honestly really fun to throw the food and watch them chase it!
The marina also hosts a local craft fair. If you like live music, beach-theme artwork, and a beautiful sunset over the water, check it out! You can also hop on the Palm Beach Water Taxi and tour the inlets and all its mansions, including stunning properties owned by celebs.
Deep Sea Fishing– No matter your skill level, deep sea fishing in the south of Florida is a “must have” experience. Not only is it fun to spend the day out on the water and see the beautiful Jupiter lighthouse, but you’ll bring home some dinner too!
No matter where you go along the coast you are in for the experience of a lifetime when you board a boat and head out for a few hours of fishing!
My family has gone deep-sea fishing by chartering The Samana for several years now, and we’ve always had a great experience. We catch enough that we bring a cooler full of fish with us back to the Sailfish Marina, as the kitchen staff will prepare and cook your fish for you to eat at the restaurant.
Juno Beach Pier– A great place to bask in the sun, swim, do a little fishing, and enjoy the views! There is a small admission to go out onto the Juno Beach pier, but it’s worth it to people-watch and see what crazy things they reel in on their fishing lines! There are also quite a few shark spotting videos here if you get into it on YouTube!!
John D. MacArthur State Park– A local barrier island preserve, this gives an insight as to what south Florida looked like before all the condos and hotels. The park has a nature center, and visitors can swim, picnic, snorkel or surf at the pristine beach. It’s also possible to fish in the lagoon by wading or kayaking.
Downtown West Palm– The city center is just as ritzy and fancy as downtown Miami, and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. An outdoor shopping complex called City Place is a great starting point. Just make sure to dress your best! Also keep an eye out, I’ve seen a few celebrities here over the years!
The Gardens Mall– When those classic Florida pop up storms make an appearance, this is a great indoor activity option. It’s a beautiful clean mall filled with all the poshest stores for the area’s wealthy crowd. While I usually can’t afford much, it’s still a great place to window shop and check out the displays!
The Food Scene!– The Singer Island and West Palm area has some top notch dining, but a few places stand out to me over the years:
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Carmine’s – ranked one of the best Italian restaurants in the entire country, it’s definitely worth visiting!
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Guanabana’s – A waterfront tropical restaurant and bar
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Waterway Cafe– The food is good, but we mainly came here for the setting. You can sit out on the inlet and take in views of all the boats going by
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Johnny Longboats– A fun little stop right on the island. If you’re staying on Singer Island itself, you can easily walk here.
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Palm Beach Ice Cream– perfect spot to get some dessert!
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The Lazy Loggerhead– Combine this with a visit to the Juno Beach Pier. This little spot has, legitimately, the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had in my life. For real. Go get it.
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Lodging- There are a huge variety of options, but I have personally stayed at the Marriott Ocean Pointe several years in a row and always loved it! Head here to search for other great Singer Island or Palm Beach hotels.
More Helpful Links:
♥ Browse my Amazon storefront to see my favorite travel products
♥ Book your hotel in Palm Beach or Singer Island
♥ Follow me on Instagram, and send me a DM with any questions
♥ Find a fun local Florida tour or activity to book
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6 Comments
Thank you for the amazing photographs and the great guid e to Singer Island. Snorkling and the Loggerhead restaurant seems perfect.
Glad you like them! This place is so close to my heart, I miss it all the time
I grew up on Singer Island. It is indeed a beautiful place to grow up in with beautiful beaches, security and easy access to the Gulf stream for those who enjoy fishing. Unfortunately, the only negative has been the lack of restaurants on the island. We’ve seen one in particular at Sailfish Marina which was the very best for many years and now, declining greatly, not even offering a traditional Sunday brunch which is so needed by residents and visitors.
Oh no! I hate to hear that! The Sailfish Marina restaurant was always one of our favorite places to go. You definitely have to drive a bit of a ways to get different food options.
Hi- Great article. What symbol did you use on the map for the shelling spots? thanks
Hi Amy! It’s the green umbrella icon, right near “Ocean Reef Park”