Day Trips Near Singer Island: Things to Do in Palm Beach

If you seek vacations in nature or by water, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach is worth adding to your travel bucket list. Time slows across the park’s 438 coastal acres of tropical hammock and mangrove forest — and offers a peek at Old Florida. Whether you opt to swim, surf, snorkel, fish, hike, or all of the above, you’ll find a memorable adventure awaiting you.

Best of all, staying at Marriott’s Oceana Palms or Marriott’s Ocean Pointe puts you just a couple miles south of the park — accessible by a short bike ride.

Marriott's Oceana Palms

Marriott's Ocean Pointe

EXPLORING ON LAND AND SEA

Located on a barrier island separating the Intracoastal Waterway from the Atlantic Ocean, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park boasts 1.6 miles of untouched beachfront.

Wildlife is abundant here. Start your visit at the Nature Center, where you can peruse multiple exhibits and aquariums spotlighting sea turtles, snakes, crabs, and other local creatures. You can also learn about guided tours and other events.

Heading into the park, you never know what you might see on two self-guided nature trails and elevated boardwalks winding through unique subtropical flora. Birdwatching, geocaching, and shelling are also popular park activities.

Kayaking to nearby Munyon Island promises even more animal sightings. If you’re lucky enough to visit between March and October, you may get to witness sea turtle hatchlings emerging from their shells — one of nature’s most inspiring events.

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

The North Palm Beach park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sundown. If you didn’t pack your adventure gear, you can rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, binoculars, and other equipment from the Beach Outfitters Gift Shop.

There are also restrooms, snack machines, a water fountain, and playgrounds. And while there’s no food service, you can make a day of the trip by bringing a packed lunch or something to cook on the grills at the picnic pavilions.

Make sure to bring a water bottle and sun protection, such as reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, and dress accordingly if you plan to get wet.

When the sun goes down, pack up and head back to your villa. If you’re visiting Marriott’s Oceana Palms or Marriott’s Ocean Pointe, your vacation will find you on Singer Island, just steps from soft-sand beaches and Atlantic waters. Both resorts offer spacious villas, so you can enjoy time with family with enough room to spread out comfortably.