JUPITER ISLAND
Where
Jupiter encompasses 3.4 miles of stunning beaches, including Hobe Sound Beach, Carlin Park, Ocean Cay Park, Jupiter Beach Park and DuBois Park. The latter two are snuggled together, and are located respectively at 1375 Jupiter Beach Road and 19075 DuBois Road, Jupiter, FL 33477.
Here’s information about and addresses for other area beaches.
Vibe
Under-the-radar getaway for all ages. Framed by the Loxahatchee River, Jupiter Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean, Jupiter Beach Park and DuBois Park offer something for everyone. Here, kids paddle rubber rafts in placid lagoon waters; fishermen find easy pickings on the jetty; and the Atlantic beckons with a playground of waves. Popular but not overcrowded, these sister parks make for an ideal beach day, offering free parking, snorkeling adventures and a wealth of amenities.
See, feel
A jetty reaches out into the Atlantic at the northern tip of Jupiter Beach Park, inviting anglers to cast a line or sightseers to admire the chocolate-colored sand and decadent boats traversing the inlet. Expect lots of shells, green blue water and palms everywhere.
The lagoons offer quiet, shallow waters perfect for tiny tots, while on the Atlantic, anticipate some waves, which will vary according to winds, tides, and offshore systems.
On or near the beach
Outdoor experiences abound at these parks: enjoy a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk to soak up the natural beauty; snorkel in the picturesque lagoon, lush with vegetation and teeming with vibrant marine life; or picnic under a forest of swaying palms. Swimming, hunting for seashells, exploring the DuBois Pioneer Home, and fishing are a few of the ways to enjoy the salt air and sunshine.
Accessibility
A mobi mat makes getting a wheelchair out to the beach easy at Jupiter Beach Park, while at DuBois Park, a beach surf wheelchair is available. Check out this map of Jupiter area beaches that includes ADA accessible beach crossovers, and information about beaches that offer the use of beach wheelchairs.
Facilities
Jupiter Beach Park amenities include 1,700 feet of guarded beach; picnic areas with grills; restrooms; outdoor showers; a sand volleyball court; and rental pavilions. DuBois Park amenities include 1,200 feet of beach frontage on the Intracoastal, guarded in only the snorkeling area; 100 feet of guarded beach frontage in the lagoon; a non-motorized boat ramp;18 boat slips; canoeing/kayaking access; fishing; a jetty; picnic areas; a picnic pavilion; a playground; restrooms; outdoor showers; and a snorkeling lagoon. It’s home to the DuBois Pioneer Home, built in 1898 and available for tours.
Lifeguards
In Jupiter Beach Park, the swimming areas are guarded when a condition flag is flying from the lifeguard tower, year round, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. 5:20 p.m. The swimming areas at DuBois Park are guarded seven days a week during public school summer recess, but only on weekends during the school year.
Parking
Both parks welcome visitors with free parking. Here’s information about parking at other area beaches.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JUPITER ISLAND BEACH
Q. Where are the public beaches on Jupiter Island, and how do I get there?
A. Jupiter encompasses beaches that include Hobe Sound Beach, Carlin Park, Ocean Cay Park, Jupiter Beach Park and DuBois Park. Two of the most popular are Jupiter Beach Park and DuBois Park, both in Jupiter, Fla. in Palm Beach County.
Jupiter Beach Park is at 1375 Jupiter Beach Road, Jupiter, Fla. 33477. DuBois Park is at 19075 DuBois Road, Jupiter, Fla. 33477, off U.S. Highway 1 near Jupiter Inlet.
Q. What is Jupiter Beach Park?
A. Jupiter Beach Park is a Town of Jupiter facility with 1,700 feet of guarded Atlantic beach. Lifeguards are on duty year-round, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., when a condition flag is flying, which is longer year-round coverage than many Palm Beach County beaches offer.
The park is free to enter, with no parking fees. It draws a local crowd and tends to be less congested than the more commercially developed beaches to the south.
The official Palm Beach County beach conditions number for Jupiter Beach Park is 561-624-0065.
Q. What is DuBois Park, and what makes it different from Jupiter Beach Park?
A. DuBois Park is a Palm Beach County facility at the mouth of Jupiter Inlet with 1,200 feet of Intracoastal Waterway beach frontage, a protected snorkeling lagoon, a non-motorized boat ramp, 18 day-use boat slips and a fishing area. Unlike Jupiter Beach Park's open Atlantic shoreline, DuBois offers calmer, sheltered water inside the inlet.
The park is also home to the DuBois Pioneer Home and Jupiter Inlet Mound, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. DuBois Park is open from sunrise to sunset daily.
For beach conditions, call 561-624-0065. To reserve the group pavilion, call 561-966-6611.
Q. What amenities are at Jupiter Beach Park?
A. Jupiter Beach Park has picnic areas with grills, restrooms, outdoor showers, a sand volleyball court and rental pavilions. Parking is free.
A Mobi mat provides wheelchair access from the parking area to the beach.
Q. What are the water conditions like at Jupiter Island's beaches?
A. Jupiter Beach Park faces the open Atlantic Ocean. Expect moderate Atlantic conditions: surf height, current and temperature shift with wind, tides and offshore systems. The ocean at Jupiter can produce strong shore break, particularly after northeast wind events in fall and winter.
Lifeguards are on duty year-round at Jupiter Beach Park from 9 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. when a condition flag is flying. Always check the warning flags before entering the water.
DuBois Park's lagoon, by contrast, offers quiet, protected water sheltered by the inlet, which is much calmer and well suited for young children and beginning snorkelers.
Q. Can visitors snorkel at DuBois Park, and what will they see?
A. Yes. DuBois Park has a designated snorkeling lagoon in the protected waters near Jupiter Inlet that is accessible and appropriate for all skill levels. The shallow lagoon supports diverse marine life, including tropical fish, sea grass beds and invertebrates that don't require heading out to the open reef.
Lifeguards cover the swimming area during Palm Beach County public school summer recess daily and on weekends during the school year. Snorkel gear is not provided by the park, so bring your own or rent from a nearby shop along U.S. Highway 1.
Q. What is the DuBois Pioneer Home?
A. The DuBois Pioneer Home, built in 1898, is one of the oldest surviving structures in Palm Beach County and is situated on an ancient Calusa shell mound inside DuBois Park. The home and the adjacent Jupiter Inlet Mound are jointly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The homestead offers a window into how early settler families lived alongside the inlet in the late 19th century. Check current tour availability on the DuBois Pioneer Home website.
Q. Do sea turtles nest at Jupiter Island beaches?
A. Sea turtles nest on the Jupiter Island Atlantic beach from May through October, with loggerheads, leatherbacks and green turtles all documented along this stretch of coast. The Jupiter area is part of one of the most active sea turtle nesting corridors in the United States.
Florida law prohibits approaching, disturbing or shining lights on nesting turtles or hatchlings. If you're on the beach at night during nesting season, stay well back from any marked nest or active turtle and keep lights off. Note also that DuBois Park specifically prohibits balloons on the property to protect sea turtles and shore birds.
Q. Is Jupiter Island good for families with kids?
A. Both parks work well for families, but in different ways. Jupiter Beach Park offers year-round lifeguard coverage and a long, open beach that gives older swimmers more room. DuBois Park's protected lagoon, playground and historic site make it the better fit for younger children or families who want to mix swimming with something educational.
The Atlantic surf at Jupiter Beach Park is moderate and can be strong, so younger children should swim near a lifeguard tower. DuBois Park's calm lagoon is a more predictable environment for toddlers and small kids.
Q. Is Jupiter Island accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A. Jupiter Beach Park has a Mobi mat from the parking area to the beach.
DuBois Park also has an ADA beach mat and a surf wheelchair available for loan. Call 561-624-0065 for beach conditions or 561-966-6611 for facility reservations.
Q. What other attractions are near Jupiter Island Beach?
A. The Jupiter Inlet area has several draw points within a short distance. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, a red-brick landmark visible for miles along the coast, sits adjacent to DuBois Park and offers guided tours. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, about four miles south, is free to enter and runs sea turtle rehabilitation programs with live exhibits.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, about 10 miles north near Hobe Sound, offers river kayaking, hiking, camping and wildlife tours along the Loxahatchee River. The park is one of the most ecologically diverse state parks in southeast Florida.
Q. When is the best time to visit Jupiter Island Beach?
A. October through April is the most comfortable window for beach visits, with mild temperatures, clear Atlantic water and the most predictable conditions. Winter swells can add good surf at Jupiter Beach Park for experienced swimmers and surfers.
Summer (June through August) is sea turtle nesting season, which adds a wildlife dimension to evening beach walks. DuBois Park's lagoon stays warm and calm through summer, making it the more comfortable choice during the rainy season when afternoon Atlantic squalls arrive regularly. Lifeguard hours at both parks extend during summer, which helps.
