Singer Island is a sunny oceanfront neighborhood that’s located on the east coast of Florida. Located six miles from West Palm Beach, Singer Island is a beautiful peninsula that offers pristine beaches and the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic ocean. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, this peninsula will surely prove to be a veritable paradise. Apart from world-renowned scuba-diving spots, the area offers gorgeous hiking and biking trails and rambling boardwalks that provide stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
However, it’s not all just about the gorgeous natural scenery and outdoor activities on Singer Island. The island is home to top-rated spas, luxurious waterfront hotels and resorts, and great restaurants. And when you’re in the mood for some shopping or feel like dancing to the latest beats underneath the stars, a sophisticated urban experience awaits you in glitzy West Palm Beach, which lies just on the other side of Blue Heron Bridge. To ensure that you make the most of your time during your next visit, we've compiled a list of things to do in Singer Island, FL.
Miles and Miles of Beach
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One of the biggest attractions of Singer Island is its seven miles of pristine shoreline that stretch along the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, the beaches at Singer Island are comparable in quality to some of the best east-coast beaches in the U.S.
At Singer Island Municipal Beach, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean from the promenade. If you go there just after high tide, you’re bound to pick up some shells. Apart from convenient amenities such as grills, picnic tables, and showers, various local music festivals are hosted here throughout the year. Since the beach is located behind Ocean Mall, you can end your day at the beach with some shopping, or go for a nice meal.
Another beach that’s open to the public is Ocean Reef Park, which is located in the northern Riviera Beach half of the island. It's the largest of the public beaches on Singer Island and includes 700 feet of beach frontage. The beach also offers amenities, such as restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions, and playgrounds. You can enjoy the natural dune ecosystem along the park’s boardwalk or explore the gorgeous rock pools along the shore.
John D. MacArthur Park
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John D. MacArthur Park boasts 1.6 miles of pristine beach where you can snorkel, swim, and kayak. It was established in 1989 to protect a diverse and undisturbed subtropical coastal habitat and is actually the only state park in Palm Beach County. The park features four distinct ecosystems: the estuary, beach and dunes, a maritime hammock, and a limestone rock reef.
The estuary is a small cove off the northern portion of Lake Worth and is home to fiddler crabs, pufferfish, oysters, and mullet. As opposed to the coral reefs commonly found south of the park, the park’s reef is limestone. It provides a home to many species of marine life, such as parrotfish, barracuda, and loggerhead sea turtles. The reef is visible from the shoreline and you can easily reach it with a mask and snorkel.
Other ways of immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the area are by walking along the self-guiding nature trails or exploring the estuary on a standup paddleboard or kayak. Throughout the year, the park offers activities such as daily nature walks, MacArthur Under Moonlight concerts, and recreational skills lessons.
Scuba Diving
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With its wrecks and world-class reefs, the ocean waters in and around Singer Island offer some of the best diving in the world. At the world-famous Blue Heron Bridge dive site, divers can see weird and wonderful marine life such as striated frogfish, flying gurnards, and bandtail sea robins. This dive site has been voted one of the 50 top dive sites in the world by Sport Diver magazine.
In addition, the greater West Palm Beach area is regarded as the drift diving capital of Florida. Since the waters of the Gulf Stream dip closest to Florida at Singer Island, a mild current that runs parallel to wrecks and reef lines is created. Divers just hitch a ride on the current and are able to enjoy the sites with minimal effort. If you’re an inexperienced diver, you can learn the art of scuba diving and become a certified diver by signing up for a course at Pura Vida Divers. Apart from scuba instruction, the company offers daily scuba charters and private charters, as well as equipment sales and rentals.
Peanut Island
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To reach Peanut Island, board a water taxi at Sailfish Marina or Riviera Beach Marina, which is located just over the Blue Heron Bridge. The 80-acre island is located along the Intracoastal Waterway and offers family-friendly beaches, great snorkeling spots, walkways, and overnight camping. Since the island is located at the mouth of the inlet to the Port of Palm Beach, you can expect crystal-clear waters that are flushed by each tide.
The 1.25-mile paved trail that circles the entire island provides access to a boardwalk that stretches through mangroves on the west, and another boardwalk on the east side that spans the reef area. You can also observe birds and sea life from the observation deck on the island’s south side. If you want to stay for the night, the island features 17 campsites that are located behind a picket fence for privacy.
Divers can choose from two snorkeling spots: a small reef and a lagoon. The island’s location at the mouth of the inlet ensures a constant supply of a variety of marine animals, including cushion starfish, parrotfish, and angelfish. And in the winter months, the lagoon sports manatees. Since the Riviera Beach Marina is located a 10-minute paddle from Peanut Island, it makes a great base for paddlers. You can circumnavigate the island and perhaps stop for a picnic or a snorkel.
A Day at the Spa
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Singer Island is known for its quality resorts and spas. Whether you’re visiting the island or have been so lucky to make it your home, be sure to spoil yourself with a treatment or two at one of the world-class spas in the area.
The luxurious SiSpa, which is located in the Marriot Singer Island Beach Resort, has been named one of the top spas in the U.S. by Conde Nast. The eight treatment suites of the spa are named after the majestic oceans and seas of the world, and each offers unique treatments that are inspired by the indigenous customs of different cultures. The spa also offers an outdoor patio and whirlpool, a relaxation room where you can rest after your treatments, the Aire blowout studio, as well as a nail studio.
The spa at Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences is also well worth a visit. This four-story spa has a health and wellness ethos that is inspired by Eastern philosophies. They offer groundbreaking therapies and treatments and only the purest ingredients to revitalize the skin and eliminate toxins. Apart from topical treatments and therapies, guests can also participate in holistic wellness programs, which include yoga and meditation sessions.
Sailfish Marina
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Sailfish Marina started off as a dock that was constructed in the 1940s for the area’s burgeoning charter fleet. Back then it was called Bills Marina. After Palm Beach inventor Alex Dreyfoos purchased Bills Marina in 1997, he combined it with the Sailfish Center and also another large dock that was located immediately to the south of the marina, which is how the Sailfish Marina & Resort was established.
Sailfish Marina offers various services, such as water taxis. You can go on a narrated sightseeing tour or use their shuttle service to head to one of the exciting destinations in the area. Private charters are also available for moonlight cruises, weddings, or other special celebrations. Since the waters of the area are swarming with prized game fish, Sailfish Marina is also home to one of the world’s finest sportfishing charter fleets.
Bring your catch of the day to the Sailfish Marina Restaurant, where they’ll clean, cook, and serve it for you. Otherwise, you can choose a meal from the menu, which offers an abundance of scrumptious local seafood options, such as Florida spiny lobster, stone crabs, and Abaco grouper.
On Thursday evenings, the marina hosts a local craft fair, where you’ll find pottery, blown glass, jewelry, and artwork. What’s more, the fair often attracts local musicians who perform music of diverse genres.
Downtown West Palm Beach
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It’s not all just about pristine natural sites and water sports on Singer Island. For an entertaining urban experience, hop over the bridge and head for Downtown West Palm, which is just as upmarket and fancy as downtown Miami. Downtown West Palm Beach features unique boutiques and markets where you can shop till you drop. The city center also offers top-rated restaurants, antique shops, and historical landmarks. If you’re into art, drop by the Culture Lab, which is a creative space where you can view art exhibitions. Visitors and locals can also enjoy theater productions and classical music concerts at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
If you prefer spending your evenings at a cozy pub or trendy West Palm Beach club, take a walk down Clematis Street. Roxy’s Pub, which is an Irish-themed pub, is perfect for chatting with friends over some finger-licking chicken wings and a good pint or two and — if you’re on the bottom floor, that is. Head to the rooftop if you're in the mood for trendy cocktails and dancing the night away to the latest house beats. Those who prefer a more edgy nightclub experience should head to The Pawn Shop. Here, you can take a break from all the dancing by sipping on a cocktail in a psychedelic bus or a refurbished 727 jet.
Casual Seafood Joints
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After a long day on the beach, there’s nothing better than enjoying a refreshing drink and some fresh seafood at your favorite local restaurant. One of the most popular haunts of the locals on Singer Island is Johnny Longboats. This breezy seafood restaurant features an inside and outside area and an attractive central tropical bar where you can enjoy a cold beer or a hand-made cocktail. The menu offers fresh seafood, pasta, salads, and juicy burgers.
Another local favorite is the beach-themed restaurant and bar, Two Drunken Goats Beach Cantina. Located just a street across from the ocean, the place has the look and feel of a seaside eatery. Apart from delectable fresh fish sandwiches, lobster bisque, and burgers, the menu also features Mexican dishes, such as Flying Fish Tacos and Nachos Pollo Grande.
Dining at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort
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For a more upscale dining experience, head to the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort. Their 3800 Ocean Restaurant is located right next to the ocean. If it’s a nice evening, you can enjoy your meal on the terrace, which overlooks the beach. Or you can take a seat in the inside venue, which is beautifully appointed.
The menu at this restaurant is inspired by regional flavors and the abundance of the local crops in South Florida. In addition, each chef has brought their own unique insights and skills to the kitchen to provide guests with an eclectic mix of flavors and cuisines. These include the comfort food of New England, the ageless classics of Long Island, and the Caribbean traditions of Jamaica. Delicious menu options include Maine Lobster Pot Pie with a creamy bisque, potatoes, peas, carrots, and puff pastry, and Pan Roasted Black Grouper, with coconut rice, crab-mango salad, and avocado.