Amid summer, winter may be the last thing on your mind. If you are hoping to get away towards the end of the year or even in 2024 to escape the winter blues, now is the time to start planning. For those seeking a beach escape, with sophisticated glamour, one-of-a-kind hospitality, and a bounty of outdoor fun and soft adventure, The Palm Beaches – America’s First Resort Destination, beckons. Located in The Sunshine State, north of Miami and south of Orlando, the destination is known for high-quality hotels, top notch resorts, and quaint boutiques that wow with impeccable service and entertainment to match.
As a warm-weather and sunny getaway, The Palm Beaches boasts golden sand beaches, with waters ranging from the brightest turquoise to sapphire-coloured seas and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. It is the perfect place to combat the dreaded winter blues as travellers can swap the cold short days for high-20s temperatures and sunshine. With so much to offer, it is no surprise that properties in the area book up fast, so planning early ensures you do not miss out on the luxury holiday you were hoping for. Below are some of the outdoor activities to enjoy during a visit to The Palm Beaches.
Explore the destination’s 47 miles of scenic coastline
A winter escape would not be the same without spending some down time at the beach. Luckily, The Palm Beaches is home to 47 miles of pristine Atlantic coast beaches, inclusive of 14 public beach parks complete with lifeguards for added peace of mind. Head to Jupiter Beach Park for views of the Jupiter Inlet and to enjoy a small family-friendly saltwater lagoon or fishing off the short pier. Just a short drive away, visit the area’s oldest seafood market place and the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum – a 1860s working lighthouse that offers guided tours of the historical grounds and tours to the top.
Take the scenic drive south along Florida State Road A1A and get a feel for The Palm Beaches’ plenitude of coastal beach towns, ultimately making it to the sandy shores and youthful atmosphere of Delray Beach. Delray Beach’s Municipal Beach features chair and cabana rentals, a large, covered gazebo and wide, sandy shores perfect for scenic walks and volleyball. Within steps of the beach is Atlantic Avenue – a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare that boasts a seemingly endless patchwork of restaurants, watering holes, shops and galleries. though winter offers its fair share of festive fun with a full calendar of events.
Experience the sea life in some of the best diving spots of the region
For a more active retreat, there is an activity for every water sports enthusiast, from paddleboarding to kayaking and parasailing. As a mecca for divers, the destination provides access to the only living barrier coral reef system in the continental United States, and multiple shipwrecks, many of which were sunk to create sustainable marine habitats. Overall, divers can explore 160+ dive sites nestled along the coastline. Those who visit in late 2023, can book their stay at the Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences in picturesque Singer Island – a few short miles from the county’s state park – John D. MacArthur Beach State Park or venture to the Blue Heron Bridge at Phil Foster Park site – voted to have some of the best diving in the world by PADI’s Sport Diver Magazine. Aside from the surrounding water-wonderland that surrounds the property, Amrit Ocean Resort is expected to offer unparalleled, exclusively curated wellness experiences for guests such as The Aayush Hydrothermal – a circuit that includes a hydro-reflexology path for improved foot circulation and a salt inhalation chamber to combat mental lethargy.
Hike or bike The Palm Beaches’ outdoor trails
If your idea of relaxing is to be at one with nature, there are also a variety of hiking and biking trails that visitors can explore. The Palm Beach Lake Trail nestled on the border of the Town of Palm Beach stretches for five and a half miles long, offering dreamy views of the Lake Worth Lagoon and West Palm Beach’s cityscape in the distance. You can also encounter famous landmarks along the way such as The Palm Beach Town Docks – a public marina that has provided shelter for yachts of all types since the 1940s, as well as cultural reference points including the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum and the Sea Gull Cottage. The latter is considered a jewel of The Palm Beaches due to its impressive “Gilded Age” style and historic link to Henry Morrison Flager – often referred to as the founder of Florida tourism and credited with bringing large-scale resorts and the railroad to The Sunshine State.
For more adventurous hikers, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, located in western Boynton Beach is a prime spot for bird watching and sight-seeing species such as the snail kite and wood stork, and the previously endangered American alligator. Consisting of Everglades ecosystems, the refuge provides habitat for a bounty of endangered and threatened wildlife. Riverbend Park in Jupiter also boasts nearly 10 miles of shell-rock paths perfect for biking and hiking and offers further opportunity for native wildlife sightings of white-tail deer, Eastern cotton-tail rabbits, Bobcats, Nine-banded armadillos, Wild Turkey and more. Bike rentals are available at this site through Jupiter Outdoor Center for those who prefer pedal-powered exploration.
Get involved in The Palm Beaches’ sport scene
The warm and coastal climate makes The Palm Beaches a year-round sports destination for players and spectators alike. Whilst the beginning of the year is known to be a busier time for sports fans with events such as Delray Beach Open and an impressive Polo season taking place, the TimberTech Championship is hosted in October, bringing together the best of past acclaimed golfers. Legends and greats including Bernhard Langer, Mark Calcavecchia, Nick Price and Hale Irwin will be participating in this year’s champions tournament at the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton. Throughout the county are 160+ golf courses with glimmering greens including Osprey Point Golf Course and The Boca Raton Golf Club located at The Boca Raton, where you can linger longer as you unwind after a golf-packed day. The on-site Spa Palmera is known for its signature Ritual Bath – a series of water-based experiences that will leave you feeling truly rejuvenated and refreshed before your return home from your dream holiday.
For more information, visit www.thepalmbeaches.com