Peanut Island Shuttle: Quick Snorkel & Sandbar Escape from Palm Beach Shores

Peanut Island Shuttle brings you from Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores, Florida, to the small, public Peanut Island in Lake Worth Lagoon — a quick, five- to ten-minute boat ride that opens into calm, shallow water, snorkeling pockets, and a palm-fringed spit of sand. Sailfish Marina runs the shuttle seven days a week with regular departures at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.; return boats depart through the afternoon, with final pickup at 5:30 p.m. The service carries up to 49 passengers and includes life jackets for children six and under; reservations are recommended. The island's shoreline offers a soft sandbar for lounging and a network of shallow reefs popular with snorkelers. Look for schools of sergeant majors, blue chromis, and the occasional small grouper around concrete and rock structure that forms the local snorkel habitat. Inland, palms and coastal scrub give way to paved paths that lead to the unique Cold War-era Kennedy bunker, a concrete vault carved into the island's interior and open on select days as a slice of regional history. The island's compact footprint makes it ideal for families, snorkel groups, and day campers who want a short transfer time and a long beach afternoon. Practical details matter here: tickets are round-trip and include transportation; arrive at least 20 minutes early to board. The county bans alcohol on Peanut Island and the shuttle enforces a strict final pickup, so plan logistics accordingly. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a mask and snorkel, water, and a small dry bag for electronics. Camping is allowed with permit arrangements, turning a day visit into an overnight under starlight for those who pre-plan. Why book this shuttle instead of a private charter? It's affordable, frequent, and puts you on shore with minimal hassle — a practical gateway to Palm Beach's nearshore reefs without the time or cost of a longer excursion. Sailfish Marina's local presence at Palm Beach Shores makes the shuttle a reliable part of area recreation: it's an entry point for interpreting the lagoon's marine life, a family-friendly beach alternative, and a quick nature escape for travelers staying in Palm Beach County. For photographers, snorkelers, and families seeking easy access to warm Atlantic water and coastal history, the Peanut Island Shuttle delivers a compact adventure with big returns: clear water, shallow snorkel zones, a sandbar to spread out on, and a wartime relic to explore. Tickets typically cost $28 per person round trip (a $1 Palm Beach County surcharge is added), and seats fill up on weekends and holidays; book ahead through Sailfish Marina's FareHarbor portal. Accessibility for mobility-limited visitors is limited due to transfer steps; contact the marina directly for assistance or alternative arrangements before arrival and planning.