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held at Okeeheelee Park, which is considered by some to be one
of the top water skiing competition sites in the United States.
Scuba enthusiasts can take advantage of the myriad of interesting
crevices and ledges of natural and artificial reefs and wrecks,
some of which feature sunken vessels positioned by the county’s
Artificial Reef Program. In addition to the exciting water sports,
the county offers individuals, groups and families the ability to
rent a canoe or kayak at Okeeheelee Park or the Jupiter Outdoor
Center. The county’s three water parks, Calypso Bay in Royal
Palm Beach, Coconut Cove in Boca Raton and The Rapids Water
Park in Rivieria Beach offer another great, relaxing way to cool
yourself off from the hot Florida sun. Peanut Island and the Jupiter
Inlet also provide a favorite destination for boaters and water
recreation activities.
The Joy of Boating
Listening to the sounds of the water flowing as your boat
cruises on a lake or the Intracoastal Waterway can be truly
enjoyable. The relaxing, trickling sound of water invokes a feeling
of freedom and meditation with the surrounding elements of
nature. Boating is a great way for people to free their minds from
their daily work pressures. Another great advantage of boating is
that it provides a unique gateway to spending quality time with
beloved family or friends while enjoying nature, discovering new
places or enjoying a fishing activity.
Palm Beach County offers numerous opportunities for boating
enthusiasts to enjoy boating on our beautiful waterways even if
you don’t own a boat. Boats of all shapes, sizes and styles are
available for rent. For those who enjoy boating on a more
frequent basis, Palm Beach County offers the ability to obtain a
Photo: Joao Freitas]Bigstockphoto
membership at one of the areas Boating Clubs like The Boat Fleet
of Lantana, which offers an affordable way to enjoy boating on a
regular basis by taking speedy powerboats out for a ride,
relaxing out in the sun on a deck boat, settling into a favorite
fishing spot with a center console fishing boat or cruising the seas
upon a captain chartered yacht. All can be enjoyed without the
hassle of ownership, maintenance and upkeep. There is no doubt
that boating fun is plentiful throughout our county and can be a
great experience for all! The time you spend when you are
boating with family or friends will forge priceless memories to
look back on fondly in the future.
Fishing
Palm Beach County offers some of the best offshore and
inshore fishing in the world. The greater Palm Beach area is one
of the few places in the world where both fresh water and salt
water fishing are within 30 minutes of the angler. In addition to
more than 200 fresh water species that can be caught in the
county’s lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, which borders Palm Beach
County’s coastline, offers thousands more species of fish from
grunts to sharks.
When summer hits the area, it’s amazing how the ocean
comes alive. The big draw for many is dolphin. June is also a
great time to target wahoo. The kingfish and bonito blitz are on
along with a multitude of other species too numerous to mention.
Sharks, big wahoo, barracuda, and every now and then a blue
marlin can be seen feeding on the offal. Drift boat charters along
with deep-sea charters are located throughout our area and offer
a fun and, if you’re lucky, rewarding fishing experience for both
novice and expert fisherman alike.
If freshwater fishing tickles your fancy, there are an
abundance of freshwater lakes and canals in our area that are
sure to satisfy even the most discerning freshwater angler. Around
Lake Okeechobee, the deeper holes in the rim canal are a good
place to target from a boat or walk the banks of the coastal
canals closer to home. However, keep in mind that huge
alligators can be seen all over the place, so keep an eye out if
you like walking the banks casting to bass and bluegill!
One of the greatest parent-child activities is to take your child
Photo: Iophoto/Dreamstime