I know what you are thinking....No, this island does not look like a peanut. No, peanuts do not grow on the island. And you will not find Charlie Brown or Snoopy here.
But what you will find are crystal clear waters filled with fish and sea turtles. Sandy beaches encircling the entire island that feels remote but is only a quick paddle away.
I paddled here with some wonderful ladies from the SUP Girls of Central Florida group. We met at Riviera Beach Marina Village.
They have a large parking lot, and it's free to park. There is a designated loading zone if you want to unload your boards or kayaks closer to the drop-in point.
If you don't have a watercraft, you can head to the rental booth by the water to make arrangements. This waterfront area has a beautiful harbor view and even a restaurant in the main building. Lovely large green lawns and a splash pad, which we enjoyed running through after our paddle. The restrooms are near the splash pad.
It was a very quick paddle from the beach area at the Marina Village over to Peanut Island. The main thing we paddlers have to watch out for is boat traffic, but it is easier to do this on weekdays or if you are in a large group. Also, the earlier in the day, the better.
Keep your eyes peeled and look below to see large pillow starfish.
On this paddle, the most magical thing happened. We saw a green sea turtle! I have not seen a sea turtle in the wild since my first time snorkeling in Guam back in 2013. I knew from this sign it was going to be an excellent day.
We paddled our way over to the east side of the island. This is where the amazing snorkeling is. If you want to scuba dive, I suggest checking out Blue Heron Bridge, which you can see from Peanut Island. Check out my blog post to learn more about that experience.
We parked our boards underneath a group of sea grape trees and set up camp.
I couldn't get over how clear the water is! I am used to the springs being this clear, but ocean-wise, I haven't seen this since I was in Bora Bora and Tahiti.
Snorkeling was the number one thing to do on the agenda once we paddled to the island. Make sure you pack your mask, snorkel, rashguard, and fins! I easily lose track of time playing in the water, so I always bring a rashguard to lessen the chance of sunburning my back. And for this location, I highly suggest wearing fins! The current is quite strong, and fins make a world of difference maneuvering in it.
You will see several rock formations a few feet from the beach. This is where all the fish like to hang out. Just pop in the water and let the current move you from rock cluster to cluster, making all the fishy friends.
As the rock formations get larger and you see a bridge, make sure you stay on the beach side of the rocks. The current gets very strong on the ocean side, and we want a fun snorkel but also a safe one.
I learned from one of the SUP Girls who come here often that the calm pool area by the bridge is called the lagoon. The visibility is very murky here but changes with the tide, and as the tide goes out, the water begins to clear. This is also the area to see manatees and stingrays.
Quick PSA announcement! I picked up several handfuls of trash on my lengthy snorkel expeditions. So please, please, please, be mindful of your garbage. And if you see something, please pick it up so an animal doesn't try to eat it or get hurt.
Ok, back to the fun adventure. Taking a break from my mermaid life, I rinsed off under one of the showers and ate some of the snacks I brought. I didn't see a concession stand, so I highly suggest bringing your own food. There are a few restrooms on the island along the paved path.
I decided to take a stroll and explore the land part of the island.
There are several tiki roof pavilions that have grills, which are great for enjoying some grub and getting out of the sun.
It is so crazy how this island can make you feel transported with its lagoons and jungle-like foliage. I even saw an iguana climbing up one of the trees.
We decided to head back about mid-afternoon to avoid the summer afternoon storms that tend to happen here in Florida. We nailed the timing perfectly. The marina has lots of amenities that make unloading and repacking for an adventure very convenient.
Visiting this island has been on my bucket list, and I'm so glad I finally got to paddle out and explore this Florida gem. *Note* if you don't want to paddle, the marina offers a water taxi to the island.
So come paddle or sail out to the cutest little island in south Florida!
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