— Hobe Sound, Florida — I live where others vacation. Hobe Sound has a secret pristine beach, a canopy of majestic Banyan trees, two new restaurants, and dining under a palapa in a locals’ eatery. You can observe huge turtles laying eggs. While visiting this part of Florida, you can enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, numerous other water sports, biking, and yes, even watch a polo game.
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1. Walk to a Secret Beach
Hobe Sound Beach, located at the termination of Bridge Road, is a unique experience while wandering through an unbelievable tree-lined canopy of majestic Banyan trees. The public beach has a lifeguard, a pavilion for shade with picnic tables, outdoor showers, and, yes, free parking.
Local Tip: Don’t stop here; just turn left for a short drive to the National Wildlife Refuge. Here an oasis of peace is one of Florida’s gems where one can walk 5-miles North or South on a sparsely populated secret beach.
Experience the constant sound of the surf, aqua green/blue Atlantic Ocean water, small shells, crabs scurrying to their holes in the sand, and an overhead formation of Brown Pelicans. Watch one dive into the water from 30-feet above to catch their prey.
Laughing Sea Gulls may squawk at you and pose for your camera. The tiny sandpipers scatter in front of you. On early morning walks, you may mingle with surf fishermen trying their luck for Pompano or Snook. This beach access on Jupiter Island offers one of the last undeveloped stretches of Atlantic beachfront in South Florida.
Enjoy, but don’t tell anyone about your find – The Secret Beach.
2. Jonathan Dickinson State Park
11,500-acres for hiking, boating, cycling, fishing, camping, and more await the visitor to this park. Climb the observation tower to view the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.
Rentals are available for canoes, kayaks, motorboats, bicycles, or try horseback riding. WEBSITE
3. Navigate the Mangroves
Navigate a rented Kayak through the Mangroves on the Loxahatchee River. This is the real Florida where silently the water splashes, a turtle slips off a log, or the big eyes of an alligator stare up at you.
Hanging down around you are Spanish moss and air plants. Sometimes wildlife such as fat manatees feeding on river vegetation, deer keeping eyes on you, maybe a wild hog, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, or an eagle may be spotted.
Local Tip: At every turn, tie a plastic ribbon onto a branch for your return voyage as the mangroves can be a hidden maze. Collect them as you head back.
4. Discover Old Florida
Was old Florida Romantic? The truth is one had to face the elements of heat, humidity, snakes, and alligators. The tropical growth was so thick that walking in it could lead to rash, horrible cuts on the body, and swarms of mosquitoes.
There was a strong dude, Trapper Nelson, who survived and carved out a living on the Loxahatchee River. Hop on a pontoon boat for a tour with a guide to the site he lived with its multiple primitive buildings.
Local Tip: The tour takes off for a fee in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Make sure you check the departures as only on high tide does the tour go to the site.
5. Hug a Majestic Banyan Tree
Rent-a-bike at the bike shop in the Winn Dixie shopping center on Bridge Road. Head east on Bridge Road to terminate on Jupiter Island, which holds the distinction of having the highest per capita income of any place in the country.
Turn right at the beach and cycle, viewing the luxurious homes. On the way, maybe you will have the experience of a bridge opening over the Intracoastal with a sailboat plowing through.
Drive over the bridge and cycle under a canopy of Banyan trees lining the road where velvet soft grass sparkles under the sun. Benches are available if you choose to rest and observe the peace and quiet of nature.
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6. Dine Under a Tropical Palapa With the Locals
Breakfast dining under the palapa is a locals’ hangout at Harry and the Natives, a Hobe Sound landmark since 1941. New on the scene are two new restaurants.
Kork is in the home of the original Hobe Sound Post Office. Parked in front of the 2nd new restaurant, The Grille Martins Landing may be a Rolls Royce indicating the clientele. For lunch specials, try Courtney’s with the Big Stuffed Burgers. Numerous other fun restaurants are in the area.
7. Touch a Turtle Egg
Hobe Sound Nature Center has a short hike to the Intracoastal Waterway. The Intracoastal is a 1,200-mile water route that offers sheltered passage for boats along the eastern seaboard. Experience a white sand beach and view the perfect Florida sunset.
The return hike takes you through a coastal hammock and sand pine scrub. You may come across gopher tortoises, scrub lizards, eagles, and ospreys along the way. Visit from February to September and schedule a night turtle walk.
A brief orientation is given, then on to the beach to watch the huge Loggerhead Sea Turtles waddle out of the sea to the beach where they dig a hole and lay their eggs. Guides with red flashlights focus on the ping pong size soft eggs. A thrill for a child is holding an egg. Reservations are a must for this tour.
8. Christmas Extravaganza
Early in December, the Hobe Sound Bible College hosts the Singing Christmas Tree. Bleachers on a stage shaped like a Christmas tree are filled with the choir, multicolored lights, and a large red cross with music filling the auditorium. Angels hang suspended from the ceiling, and the Christmas story is portrayed. The Bible College is noted for musical education that places musical directors all over the country.
9. A Different Christmas Parade
The Intracoastal lights up in early December with a lead boat, shooting fireworks, followed by numerous boats lit up and decorated. If you have never seen a boat parade, it is a novel experience. Bring your chairs and picnics to the Jupiter Lighthouse beach for a free night of a different kind of parade.
10. More More More
Hobe Sound Polo Club on February Saturday afternoons offers free admission and free parking. Set your chairs in front of your car in this beautiful setting to watch the polo matches. A food truck is also available.
Early February hosts the Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts. A popular event with more than 200 artists and craft artisans.
Conclusion:
Yes, Hobe Sound is a wonderland rich for exploring nature, bird watching, enjoying the ocean, feeling sand tickling your toes, palm trees swaying, and uncrowded beaches. Come see us in paradise.
Getting there. Fly into West Palm Beach airport, rent a car and drive north on I-95. Exit 96 Hobe Sound and proceed east to US Hwy 1. Here you will meet Bridge Road, the center of action for Hobe Sound.
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*Opening photo © Flicker