John D. MacArthur Beach State Park and Nature Center

True treasure in Palm Beach county. What a great place that offered so much to do. Kayaking, nature trails, and of course the beach.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park contains one of the few pristine beaches that remain in South Florida, and is also the only state park in Palm Beach County. It is located between Riviera Beach and North Palm Beach, and opened to the public in 1989. It is well-​known to be a sea turtle nesting ground, and its best feature is the large, secluded, intact beach (this is the same beach where the turtles lay their eggs from spring to summer). For those who don’t want to spend too much time on the beach, there is also the option of a couple of nature trails, visiting the nature center (which has exhibits as well as educational movies), or renting a kayak and paddling the estuary and Lake Worth Lagoon. There is a free tram service for those who are unable or unwilling to walk across the boardwalk, and the boardwalk has resting benches as well for those who need to rest. There’s also a playground for kids, shelters, and picnic tables, with grills nearby. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk or the beach, but they are allowed in other areas of the park.
The park entrance fee is $ 5 per vehicle, and as long as you have your receipt, you can come and go as you please on the same day, just show the receipt to the attendant. It is quite a large park (437.60 acres), though most of it consists of the beach. Shelling here is great, especially after the tide starts to recede. The water is a beautiful color of turquoise, dark blue, and light blue, like something from a postcard, but there are no lifeguards on duty, so be respectful of the sea and be responsible. Check the beach warning flags and don’t go too far into the deep waters, in case there are rip currents. There are sand dunes that make it look as if you’re walking on hills, though you’re asked to not interfere with them, or some of the environmentally unique protected plants along the way that have signage indicating same. Though this park claims to have a variety of wading birds, I only got to see Gulls on the beach, a Great Blue Heron and a Snowy Egret. Their website also states that this is a popular Roseate Spoonbill spot (which was my main reason in coming), but I did not see any. Asking several of the park employees, none seemed to be able to provide definite Spoonbill sighting spots. Better luck next time!
Despite someone claiming this is a nude beach (and it was in the 60s and 70s and some claim, even into the 80s), no nude sunbathers were on site. People were fully clothed or wearing swimsuits. It is not a protected nude beach, as it is now a state park (see
for more). While a small section of the beach in a remote area may host a rogue clothing optional sunbather, any part of the beach that connects with the park is not considered clothing optional nor is this allowed, and park rangers frequently check the area. The park closes at sunset, so even if people wanted to have sex on the beach, as one reviewer claims, unless they live in one of the Singer Island condominium buildings that connect with the park and have complete beach access at all times, they would be unable to do so.

An oasis of remote wilderness in the city. Swim, fish, snorkle, kayak, music, and picnic. A little bit of everything along with lots of sea turtles and turtle nest!

Named for the man who donated the land in the 1970s to create this park and preserve the fragile ecosystem. It is now part of the Florida State Park System, and you can get in with the annual pass, or pay $ 5 a car, or $ 4 single in a car. You can also join Friends of the Park online, but not at the entry for an annual membership that admits member for one year unlimited visits.
They have a kayak launch site if you bring your own kayak. Or you can rent them but prices seem QUITE high for kayak rental to me. You can visit an exhibit with fish and marine systems. You can see one loggerhead turtle in a tank. There is a large long walkway over the lagoon to the beach. There is a man who will take you if you don’t want to walk for free in an electric cart.
Multiple showers are situated in the beach areas. I went mid week in late May and few people at the beach, less than a dozen.
If you fish you can fish from walkway or kayak or standing in the water but you must have Florida fishing lic and observe all fishing rules and regulations.
There is a place to watch three different videos on the park and the eco systems and conservations efforts. It holds about 50 people, but I was the only one there. Don’t wait for it to start. You might think it will, but it only starts when you get up and press one of the three buttons you pass before you see the chairs along the wall. If you want to see one of the other videos when its done, press one of the other buttons.
Overall its a nice park. I don’t think they sell any food so pre plan accordingly.

Planned a day trip to this park with my family that includes 3 kids under 4 yrs old. The boardwalk that joins the parking lot to the beach is too long to lug around cooler, bags, stroller and kids. I think it took us 25 mins to walk to the beach from our car in the sun. The walk is scenic but not reasonable for young children or elderly. The beach is beautiful though, nice for surfing. Definitely would return but without the kids.

This park was a hidden gem till the locals and tourists found it. Ruined and basically crawling with perverts trying to get their freak on. Watch out if you are a young male especially, as the middle aged men like to wear spandex bikini and go off to the more remote section of the park to ‘hunt’.
walking the beach in the afternoon I saw a heterosexual couple enjoying themselves in the missionary position, not only full nudity — Unilocal!all!
what once was a nude beach is now a pick up beach much like John Lloyd State Beach Park for some man-​o-​war action.
Low tide will show you the car engine washed on the beach and the rocks hidden with water = dangerous.
Trolley that crosses the bridge makes the experience Disney like and totally uncalled for, unless you just can’t carry your towel and walk anymore. Come on! really?
Kayaks are alright, but pricey at $ 20 hr — as you will probably need like 3– 4 hours minimum.
the gift shop is another eye sore for those ‘must have’ consumers who just need a souvenir.

Went kayaking with family there. It was a ton of fun, and the staff was super helpful. Make sure you get there early to get a kayak though before the all get sold out! Lots of options for kayaking too, from 20 min to over an hour and a half!

We got there late and were unable to rent a kayak as we’d planned. Keep in mind that even though the park is open until sunset, the kayaks have to be returned by 4pm and there is usually a list. We walked the 1600 ft boardwalk across Lake Worth Cove and then explored the beautiful beach for about a half mile. The weather had just turned and the wind was kicking, lots of Man O’ War in the water and on the shore so we didn’t chance swimming.
We took in the Education Center and it was small, but informative. A breathtaking centerpiece is the aquarium with artificial mangrove roots, and live fish.
Next visit to South Florida we will return and get a much earlier start so we can kayak the cove and check out the estuary, and Munyon Island.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is named after the previous owner, John D. MacArthur, who wanted to preserve the area for future generations. This area is a biological treasure, an area to be protected, enjoyed and studied. In the 1970s, Mr. MacArthur donated a section for use as a public park. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has contributed additional funds to develop the park and nature center.
The park is located in northern Palm Beach County on at the North end of Singer Island, 10 900 Jack Nicklaus Drive. The park is open from 8am until sundown 365 days a year. The entrance fee is $ 5.00 per vehicle, maximum of 8 people. Park visitors can participate in a variety of recreational activities, including kayaking, fishing, bird-​watching, and snorkeling.
I really like this place, which is calm and very beautiful.
Some people come for swimming, sunbathing, walking, fishing…
You can find very beautiful mussels and stones at the beach and later inform yourself about all the animals in the nature centre.
The rangers are very nice and helpful.