By Martha Lee
I want to share my experience with shore snorkeling at John D MacArthur State Park. This was not my favorite snorkeling area in South Florida, but I have been asked about my experience there, so here is a report. I would not go out of my way again just to snorkel here, but if you happen to find yourself at the park, and feel like a snorkel, this can get you started.
My first try at this park in North Palm Beach, Florida, was in late December, 2024. The waves were just a bit too active, so I did not go in. I am told that you can call the visitor center for a report on current snorkeling conditions. I have not tried this. But I have been told that a higher tide is better. I returned on New Year’s Day, 2025, for a First Day hike, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a green flag and smoother waters.

Where I Went Shore Snorkeling at John D MacArthur State Park
Directions to the snorkeling area I visited: From the parking lot, I walked across the estuary on a long boardwalk. When I arrived at the beach, I faced the water and turned left. I walked to the place where the dunes are closer to the water. You can enter the water at the start of that area, or a little way down. If the water is smooth enough, you will be able to see the rock reef offshore.
Do NOT try to swim directly out from the beach to the rock reef, or vice versa (i.e., don’t pick the shortest swim out or back.) Enter the water earlier, swim out until you are a ways from the shore, then swim parallel to the shore until you get to the rock reef. Take this roundabout method because the beach closest to the rock reef is very rocky and uncomfortable. I swam back this way—can’t recommend it.
What the Snorkeling Area Was Like
This is a 125,000-year-old limestone rock reef. It’s pitted with many holes, and I found it interesting just to look at all the shapes, nooks, and crannies. There was only one small part of this reef where I saw some of the usual South Florida reef fish, including porkfish and spottail pinfish. I’m not sure of the identity of the cute critter in the photo below, who liked to sit on the rocks. (Disclaimer: I’m not great at fish identification.)

This was the area with red growth on some of the higher rocks. Anybody know what the red was?

Little spots of coral were growing on some rocks. I did not see many critters elsewhere, but maybe at higher tide or at a different time of year? Swimming around these rocks was a little tricky, because they were so close to the surface. I would not recommend this for beginners.
I was told that there are other reef areas around the park that are also snorkel-able, but I have not tried them. Maybe someone else can add info in the comments.
Park Information
John D MacArthur State Park is located in North Palm Beach, just a few miles north of Phil Foster Park at Blue Heron Bridge. Entrance to the park costs approximately $5 per vehicle. If you are bringing family who are not up to walking, there are volunteers who run a free golf cart shuttle service across the estuary boardwalk.
Dive flag is required, but I forgot mine and was able to rent one at the park for $5. They also rent kayaks, which were VERY popular on the estuary. Most people just come for the beach, but there is also bird-watching and hiking.
Thank you Martha for sharing your experience shore snorkeling at John D MacArthur State Park. Hopefully our community will find it useful.
A few years back we stopped at John D. Macarthur State Park to check out the beach and mangrove forest. It was a beautiful area that undoubtedly would be condo towers and golf courses if it hadn’t been donated to the state park system by its namesake to preserve a bit of undeveloped South Florida Atlantic coastline.
We didn’t try snorkeling since we’d just come from Phil Foster Park (which was actually really good with masses of reef fish, big stingrays, schools of squid, etc.) and, frankly, this beach didn’t look too promising.
Now I kinda wish I did put my mask back on and give it a look-see underwater.