Florida’s Cutest Island With An Adorable Name Is A “Mini Bahamas”

Its identify is one that you’re going to at all times hear mothers and dads name their infants — a pocket-sized beachscape for nature and seashore lovers simply off the coast of West Palm Seashore. It is like a “mini Bahamas,” the place the crystal-clear waters, sandy shores, and vibrant reefs meet! As lovable as its identify is, Peanut Island is Florida’s cutest island — and for good purpose.

This 79-acre island was named “Peanut” resulting from a deliberate however deserted use of the island as a terminal for a enterprise that did not undergo in 1946. It is one other one in every of many Florida islands with beautiful hidden gem beaches—small, peaceable, and postcard-perfect—removed from the bustling and crowded stretches of seashores on lots of the Sunshine State’s extra common islands. It is price earmarking a visit to.

Florida’s “Mini Bahamas” Is Peanut Island

It’d solely be a pint-sized island in comparison with the sprawling attraction of the Bahamas, however Peanut Island holds its personal fascinating magnificence that delights each customer. It is just like the Bahamas’ bite-sized model, with aggressive, attractive seashores, vibrant reefs, and delicate, sandy shores. In 2005, the state spent round $13 million to renovate the island, which resulted in it turning into Peanut Island Park, that includes campsites, a man-made reef, picnic websites, gardens, and a pier.

Whereas the Bahamas is extra vibrant, with many high-end resorts, secluded cays, bustling ports, and livelier corners like an enormous tropical nation, Peanut Island affords a extra laid-back ambiance. Its crystal-clear waters are good for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Peanut Island additionally has vibrant marine life. Whereas not as huge because the Bahamas, It has its personal pleasant share of aquatic wealth, the place snorkeling is to not be missed to see lovely turtles, stingrays, and lots of tropical fish. With its lovable identify, its attraction feels intimate, quirky, and surprisingly tropical. Really a “mini Bahamas,” however cuter, much less glamorous, and simply as attractive and sun-kissed!

Issues To Do On Peanut Island

It is likely to be tiny, however Peanut Island affords mighty seaside and watersports experiences to find its magnificence and superb island vibes. From snorkeling to wildlife and bird-watching, you will have the very best of the outstanding issues to do on Florida’s cutest island.

Go Snorkeling & Swimming

Peanut Island options man-made reefs and lagoons, the place aquatic life is as vibrant because the Bahamas. When you’re fortunate, you will be handled to lovely and colourful tropical fish, stingrays, parrotfish, and manatees! Peanut Island is near the Manatee Lagoon, which affords seasonal wild manatee viewing. The swimming seashores have guarded and unguarded areas, and guests can benefit from the crystal-clear turquoise waters whereas having fun with the island’s laid-back ambiance.

Peanut Island’s swimming space is guarded​ solely on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.​

Discover The Island On A Boat, Kayak, Or Paddleboard

You may glide by means of Peanut Island’s calm inlet waters in your kayak or paddleboard, with wildlife sightings alongside the way in which. There are kayak leases in close by parks or at Riviera Seashore, or if in case you have your kayak or paddleboard, Peanut Island has canoe or kayak entry. The island additionally options day-use boat slips and docks.

Stroll The Perimeter Path & See The Kennedy Bunker

The historic 1960 John F. Kennedy Bunker on Peanut Island, Florida, was secretly constructed as a blast shelter for the previous U.S. president. It was referred to as the Detachment Resort, which might’ve served as Kennedy’s evacuation house (by helicopter in simply 5 minutes) within the occasion of nuclear warfare.

It was closed following Kennedy’s assassination and was declassified in 1974. The Detachment Resort was open to the general public as a historic web site from 1998 to 2017. At the moment, the historic bunker stays closed till additional discover because it’s nonetheless a topic of possession between the Palm Seashore Maritime Museum (which assumed upkeep of the bunker) and the Port of Palm Seashore (which owns the positioning).

You possibly can nonetheless see the bunker from the skin as a secret peek from the 1.3-mile path, a scenic and flat loop that travels the perimeter of the island and options many lovely viewpoints. The bunker is tucked right into a grassy beam, a historic landmark on Peanut Island.

Attending to Peanut Island is thru water taxi companies supplied by Peanut Island Shuttle Boat and Palm Seashore Water Taxi. The price is $10 to $12 for kids and $20 to $25 for adults.

With out a passport, Peanut Island affords as many superb actions because the Bahamas. It is also one in every of Florida’s islands, cheaper than the Bahamas (and easier) to go to! The water on the island is blueish-green and so clear you’ll be able to see proper right down to the sand, fairly completely different from the cloudier water at close by seashores.

The Historical past Of Peanut Island’s Names

Initially named Inlet Island, the 79-acre Peanut Island is positioned on the mouth of the Lake Value Inlet, or the Palm Seashore Inlet, in Florida’s Palm Seashore County. The 1918 excavation tasks within the space created the island, the inlet, and the Port of Palm Seashore.

In 1946, it was named Peanut Island when a plan was made to make it a terminal for delivery peanut oil, though the operation wasn’t profitable. The island retained its identify and was renovated as a park in 2005.

It is tiny, however Peanut Island, Florida’s cutest island, lives as much as its lovable identify with its breathtaking tropical retreat like a “mini Bahamas.” The island is a phenomenal, laid-back beachscape with a touch of historical past for dreamers, seashore lovers, wildlife, and nature fanatics!