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Palm Beach County’s Ocean Rescue lifeguards protect swimmers at thirteen oceanfront and inlet parks from Tequesta to Boca Raton. Swimming areas are guarded year-round, seven days a week, from 9:00 am – 5:20 pm with the following exceptions:

• DuBois Park and Peanut Island are guarded seven days a week during Palm Beach County public school summer break.
• Peanut Island is guarded from 9:15 am - 4:45 pm.
• After school starts, the swimming areas at DuBois Park and Peanut Island are guarded ONLY on weekends during the public school year.

Please note: No dogs are allowed on County-operated beaches. Dogs are also not permitted in Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream. For general information about bringing dogs to County-operated parks, please click here.

Beach Locations

A beach surf wheelchair is available at each of the following beach parks displaying this symbol. Please contact a lifeguard at each location to arrange for use.

Guarded Beach Parks

• Carlin Park, Jupiter
• Coral Cove Park, Tequesta
• DuBois Park, Jupiter
  (Guarded hours change on seasonal basis. Please see above.)
• Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream
• Juno Beach Park, Juno Beach
• Jupiter Beach Park, Jupiter
• Loggerhead Park, Juno Beach
• Ocean Inlet Park, Ocean Ridge
• Ocean Reef Park, Riviera Beach
• Peanut Island Park, Riviera Beach (boat access only)
  (Guarded hours change on seasonal basis. Please see above.)
• Phil Foster Memorial Park, Riviera Beach
• R. G. Kreusler Park, Palm Beach
• South Inlet Park, Boca Raton

Unguarded Beach Parks

• Ocean Cay Park, Jupiter
  (Please contact Ocean Rescue Headquarters at 561/694-7480 to coordinate wheelchair use.)
• Ocean Ridge Hammock Park, Ocean Ridge

Admission Fees

Admission to most Palm Beach County-operated beach parks is free.

There are parking fees at:

• R. G. Kreusler Park, Palm Beach
• South Inlet Park, Boca Raton

For more information on Palm Beach County-operated beaches, please call (561) 966-6631.
Reserve a picnic pavilion, or call (561) 966-6611.

Beach Accessibility

Beach wheelchairs are available at several county beach parks for people who are physically challenged. For specific locations, please refer to the beach locations.

Please note that lifeguards are not permitted to assist in transferring an individual from a personal wheelchair to the beach wheelchair. A companion must be available to provide assistance in getting in and out of wheelchairs and using the beach wheelchair on the sand.

There will be occasions in which beach access is unavailable due to beach erosion or construction, or there might not be enough sand to safely use the beach wheelchair. We strongly recommend that you call in advance to ensure the beach wheelchair is available for safe use.

Safety Tips

• No glass containers are allowed on beach – broken glass and bare feet don’t mix.
• Drink plenty of fluids at the beach. Dehydration can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you are feeling dizzy, weak, faint, have nausea or a headache, it’s time to get out of the sun. Sit in an air conditioned car, or in the shade. Seek the help of a lifeguard.
• Wear shoes in the summertime. The sand gets HOT! Even short walks can be painful and can cause blisters.
• Look out for tar! Tar should be removed from feet - it is a known carcinogen. In your beach bag, have an old rag and use suntan lotion, baby oil, or vegetable oil to rub it off. When you get home, wash the affected area with a mild abrasive soap to remove the remaining stain or use an exfoliating scrub if necessary.

• Learn to swim.
• Swim near a lifeguard.
• Never swim alone.
• Read the condition boards at the beach accesses. If you need help identifying the hazards, ask the lifeguard. 
• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present.
• Don’t rely on floatation devices; you may lose them in the water.
• If you are in trouble, call and/or wave an arm for HELP.
• Don’t dive head first into unfamiliar waters or shallow breaking waves.
• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances.
• If caught in a rip current swim parallel to shore. Then swim straight in to shore. If unable to do so, stay calm, float with the current, call for HELP and wave an arm to gain attention of lifeguards. Learn more about rip currents.
• Keep your arms out in front of you when body surfing.
• Boogie boarders should use a board leash.
• Stay away from the big waves (shorebreak) that crash onto the shore.
• Alcohol and drugs cloud your ability to make smart decisions.
• Follow rules and lifeguard instructions.