Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Riviera Beach, Florida

Riviera Beach, a coastal city situated just north of West Palm Beach, is recognized for its tropical activities and serves as an exceptional starting point for various water sports on the Lake Worth Lagoon.

The city hosts numerous outfitters and charter companies catering to activities ranging from paddleboarding to fishing. Visitors can also take a shuttle to Peanut Island, an idyllic tropical destination located only a few hundred feet from the mainland.

A notable aspect of Riviera Beach is the rich wildlife that one can observe without leaving the city. During winter, the area is known for opportunities to spot manatees or experience snorkeling among vibrant marine life.

The municipality features one of the finest public beaches along Florida’s Atlantic coastline, as well as a water park recognized for its quality.

1. Peanut Island Park

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A mere 300 feet from the coast lies an 80-acre island located in the Lake Worth Lagoon. Peanut Island is a man-made formation, developed in the 1910s during the dredging of the Port of Palm Beach.

This island is preserved as a public park under Palm Beach County jurisdiction. If you do not possess your own vessel, the convenient means to reach the island is via the Peanut Island Shuttle Boat, which departs from the Riviera Beach Marina.

Upon arrival, visitors will step into a tropical paradise surrounded by crystal-clear waters. A paved pathway encircles the shore, lined with palm trees, banyans, and mangroves.

The waters are ideal for snorkeling, supported by a man-made reef, where one may encounter rays, small sharks, manatees, and a spectacular variety of tropical fish.

An intriguing historical element of the island is the concealed blast shelter constructed for President John F. Kennedy, who frequently spent winters in Palm Beach.

2. Riviera Municipal Beach

Along Singer Island, the series of high-rise condominiums and upscale resorts is interspersed with the city’s public beach access.

The entrance to Riviera Municipal Beach greets visitors with a spacious plaza and grassy areas, bordered by restaurants and shops. Additionally, trails lead through coastal dunes to a broad section of Atlantic shoreline.

Visitors can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs, making this location among the best for shell collecting. The park offers various amenities, including picnic tables, shaded seating, volleyball courts, and tennis facilities.

Moreover, you can continue towards the southeastern tip of Singer Island, which is also recognized as the easternmost point in Florida, part of Palm Beach Shores.

3. Manatee Lagoon

Riviera Beach is one of the top locations for observing manatees from the shores of Lake Worth Lagoon. These gentle creatures seek warmer waters during the winter months.

Consequently, areas near power stations, with their warm water discharges, become prime congregating spots for manatees during this season.

In Riviera Beach, Manatee Lagoon is situated by the outflow from Florida Power & Light Company’s Clean Energy Center.

This free facility, covering 16,000 square feet, provides an observation deck and interactive exhibits dedicated to this iconic Floridian species.

To increase the likelihood of seeing these gentle giants, visiting between mid-November and March is recommended. On clear, sunny days, the visible clarity of the waters enhances the experience of observing manatees.

4. Ocean Reef Park

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Ocean Reef Park features over 700 feet of sandy beachfront, providing another excellent opportunity for relaxation. This site is located within the limits of Riviera Beach on Singer Island and is managed by Palm Beach County.

It is important to note that the beach has a steep drop-off, making it a thrilling yet challenging location for experienced swimmers.

The park operates daily from sunrise to sunset and includes various amenities such as a playground and covered picnic areas with barbecue grills.

For those who have enjoyed a day at the beach, restrooms and showers are available to rinse off the sand and salt prior to leaving.

5. Rapids Water Park

One of South Florida’s leading water parks resides in Riviera Beach. Established for over 40 years, Rapids Water Park boasts more than 40 rides across its 30 acres.

Visitors often rush to experience the most thrilling attractions; for example, Black Thunder features a dark vortex, while Brain Drain presents a staggering 70 ft vertical drop.

These are merely a couple of options available for thrill-seekers. There are also family-friendly rides such as the four-person raft ride, Big Thunder, and the looping seven-story drop of Pirates Plunge.

Additionally, Rapids Water Park caters to younger visitors with areas like Splish Splash Lagoon and Barefootin Bay.

6. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park and Nature Center

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Located north of Singer Island is John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, an extraordinary natural area designated for protection. Spanning nearly 500 acres, it encompasses tropical hammocks, mangroves, and sandy beaches.

This is the only state park in Palm Beach County, safeguarding rare plant species and serving as a nesting ground for sea turtles.

One of the notable features of this location is the 1,600-foot boardwalk, which traverses the estuarine system adjacent to the lagoon, leading visitors through the woods to a picturesque beach.

Visitors can enjoy 1.6 miles of beach for activities such as relaxing, swimming, surfing, and boogie boarding. Additionally, opportunities to explore the estuary in a kayak are available away from the crashing Atlantic waves.

7. Riviera Beach Marina Village

This diverse development emerged at the Riviera Beach Marina during the 2010s. For guests interested in water-related activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing charters, diving, cruises, or nature tours, this location is ideal.

Marina Village also serves as the launching point for the shuttle boat to Peanut Island, which will be discussed shortly. Thus, there is a high likelihood that visitors will pass through this village during their stay.

After a day on the water, individuals can relax at the oceanfront Rafiki Tiki Restaurant, which offers a menu of Caribbean and Floridian specialties.

Additionally, the area features a two-story event space, a small beach, and a children’s splash park equipped with over 40 water jets.

8. Watersports

At Riviera Beach Marina Village, various providers offer a range of services to take you onto the Lake Worth Lagoon and beyond.

Diving and snorkeling at Blue Heron Bridge represent just a portion of the aquatic offerings in Riviera Beach. For those wishing to explore independently, options to rent kayaks and paddleboards are available. Alternatively, guided tours are also accessible.

These excursions might include in-depth paddleboarding lessons, sunset yoga sessions, or kayak tours through the mangroves surrounding Peanut Island. Personally, I have cherished memories of snorkeling trips where I observed manatees and rays in the lagoon off Peanut Island.

For those seeking more excitement, activities like wakeboarding, waverunner rentals, or parasailing are available, offering breathtaking views from above.

9. Blue Heron Bridge Diving

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Connecting the mainland to Singer Island, the Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach has developed into an unexpected diving hotspot.

This structure’s pilings foster a remarkable array of marine life, while an 800-foot man-made reef accessible from Phil Foster Park further enhances the attractiveness of this area. Visitors can encounter octopuses, squid, rays, starfish, grouper, angelfish, and many other species.

Experienced divers often frequent this location; however, beginners can simply equip themselves with a snorkeling mask and flippers to enjoy the snorkel trail.

This trail remains shallow at depths of no more than 10 feet, and the clear waters guarantee a unique encounter with local wildlife.

10. Fishing Charters

Numerous marine-oriented enterprises exist at Riviera Beach Marina Village and along Broadway, including fishing charter services. Indeed, Riviera Beach is a well-regarded destination for anglers.

This reputation is largely attributed to the Gulf Stream, which introduces warm water to the generally cooler Atlantic, stirring up nutrients and creating vibrant ecosystems just offshore.

The region between West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce is popularly dubbed “Sailfish Alley.” From November to February, anglers flock to these waters in pursuit of Florida’s state fish.

In the earlier months, particularly from July to November, wahoo tuna trolling offers excellent opportunities, although wahoo is caught throughout the year in Florida’s waters.

11. The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches

In this area of Florida, not one but two Major League Baseball teams conduct their annual spring training.

During this season, the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros are based at the impressive, state-of-the-art facility known as The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

Opened in 2017, the centerpiece is a stadium accommodating up to 7,858 spectators. This venue hosts Grapefruit League baseball from late February through late March.

Watching a game here provides an enjoyable experience to see some of the sport’s biggest stars in a more relaxed setting. One appealing aspect of this ballpark features a wraparound concourse, allowing visibility of the field while enjoying the shade and socializing with friends.

12. Barracuda Bay Aquatic Center

For those seeking a cost-effective and quieter alternative to Rapids Waterpark, Riviera Beach offers a quality public facility.

The standout feature of this center, in my opinion, is its fantastic interactive water playground. With a sizable zero-depth area, it boasts an assortment of slides, sprays, and climbing equipment.

Additionally, there is a lap pool and two larger slides for older children. Swimming lessons are available for ages six months and up, and water aerobics classes are also offered, making this venue popular for birthday celebrations.

13. Winding Waters Natural Area

A restored natural environment exists on the island side of Riviera Beach within this 550-acre area. Initially cleared for agricultural uses, it now supports a variety of habitats, including wet prairies, hydric hammocks, depression marshes, mesic flatwoods, and dome swamps.

Winding Waters Natural Area excels in birdwatching opportunities. The Wetlands Trail meanders along the marshes for nearly five miles, providing an excellent vantage point for observing wading birds.

Species frequently observed include roseate spoonbills, wood storks, green herons, and anhingas. Given that this is South Florida, alligators are often present as well.

14. Dyer Park

At the northern end of Winding Waters lies a more developed park that offers a diverse range of outdoor activities.

What surprised me about Dyer Park is an uncommon feature in South Florida—hills. The park’s rolling terrain makes it an attractive location for mountain biking.

Within this area, more than seven miles of single-track trails are available, with one crossing the central hilly landscape and another outlining the park’s perimeter.

In addition, Dyer Park provides multi-use fields, picnic spots, canoe/kayak launch sites, and facilities for basketball, baseball, softball, and remote-controlled aircraft flying.

15. The Gardens Mall

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One of Florida’s premier luxury shopping destinations is located near Riviera Beach in Palm Beach Gardens.

The directory at The Gardens Mall features an impressive array of high-end brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, and Hugo Boss.

The major retailers include Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Sears.

Although the atmosphere is upscale, there is a strong presence of mid-market stores such as American Eagle, Forever 21, Kay Jewelers, Vans, Nike, and Bath & Body Works.

The dining options are notably diverse, ranging from common food-court choices like Chipotle and Chick-fil-A to full-service options such as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro.