Top Adventures in Palm Beach

Table of Contents

• Learn About Sea Turtle Rehabilitation (Gumbo Limbo Nature Center)
• Take an Airboat Ride Through the Wetlands or Everglades
• Go Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) or Kayaking
• Boat or Fish on Lake Okeechobee
• Experience a Tandem Skydive at Skydive Palm Beach
• Explore the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)
• Enjoy the Outdoors in Palm Beach

Key Takeaways

If you’re wondering what to do in Palm Beach, the area offers far more than beaches and resorts. From sea turtle hatchling releases to skydiving above the Everglades, there are plenty of ways to experience Florida’s unique wildlife and landscapes. Water lovers can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, or spending a day boating or fishing on Lake Okeechobee. For a completely different perspective, a tandem skydive provides unforgettable aerial views of the region. If you prefer to stay on the ground, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail offers miles of space for walking, biking, or exploring at your own pace. Each of these experiences highlights the natural beauty that makes Palm Beach special. 

Wondering what to do in Palm Beach? With so much natural beauty and so many things to do in Palm Beach, it can almost feel overwhelming when you’re trying to decide how to spend your time here. From coastal wildlife to wide-open freshwater landscapes, the area offers experiences you won’t find just anywhere. To help narrow things down, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite unique outdoor adventures that showcase the top adventures Palm Beach has to offer.

Learn About Sea Turtle Rehabilitation

The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center gives visitors the opportunity to learn about Florida’s native marine life, with a special focus on sea turtle conservation. Educational presentations walk you through turtle life cycles, the challenges they face in the wild, and the rehabilitation work being done to help injured animals recover and return to the ocean.

Depending on the time of year, you may be able to observe loggerhead turtles nesting or participate in a hatchling release program. While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, even the chance to witness these moments makes the experience worthy of our must-visit list of Palm Beach places to go. 

Beyond turtles, the center also features aquariums, a butterfly garden, coastal boardwalks, and an observation tower that offers a great view of the surrounding habitat.

Airboat Ride

For a completely different perspective of South Florida, an airboat tour through the local wetlands or Everglades is hard to beat. These high-speed boats glide across shallow water and marshland, giving you access to areas that would otherwise be impossible to explore.

Along the way, guides point out native wildlife such as alligators, birds, turtles, and other species that call the wetlands home. The experience combines a bit of adrenaline with the chance to see Florida’s natural ecosystem up close. There’s also something refreshing about being out in the open air, surrounded by wide skies and untouched landscape.

SUP or Kayak

If you prefer a slower pace, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or kayaking is one of the best ways to connect with the water. Whether you’re paddling along the coastline, through calm inlets, or in protected waterways, the experience offers a peaceful mix of movement and scenery.

Both activities are beginner-friendly, and many local outfitters offer lessons or guided tours if you’re new. For something a little more unique, some companies offer night paddles or full-moon tours. Being out on the water after dark, with the shoreline lights reflecting around you, adds a completely different feel to the experience. This is for sure on the list when it comes to what to see in Palm Beach!

Boating or Fishing in Lake Okeechobee

Spanning approximately 467,000 acres (730 square miles), Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and one of the largest in the United States outside of the Great Lakes. Despite its massive size, the lake has an average depth of only about nine feet, creating ideal conditions for fishing and boating.

Often referred to as the bass fishing capital of the world, the lake attracts anglers from across the country. Even if fishing isn’t your goal, spending a day on the water offers a chance to take in the open landscape, watch for wildlife, and experience a quieter side of the region away from the busy coastal areas.

Skydive Palm Beach

If you’re looking for something truly unforgettable, skydiving offers a one-of-a-kind view of Palm Beach you simply can’t experience any other way. A tandem skydive lets first-time jumpers feel the adrenaline of stepping out of an airplane and the unmatched rush of freefall, all while securely harnessed to a certified instructor. 

Then, just as quickly as the excitement builds, everything slows down. The parachute opens and you’ll float peacefully back to the ground, taking in sweeping views of Lake Okeechobee, open farmland, and the surrounding wetlands from thousands of feet above.

Skydive Palm Beach operates out of Palm Beach County Glades Airport (PHK), located about an hour from West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie, and Boca Raton, and under two hours from Miami. On clear days, you may even spot landmarks like Pahokee Marina, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST), and Lion Country Safari.

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail offers 110 miles of outdoor access around the entire lake. The wide, elevated path is popular for walking, running, biking, and even horseback riding.

Because the trail sits atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, it provides sweeping views of the lake on one side and the surrounding landscape on the other. It’s a great option for anyone looking to spend a few hours outdoors or take on a longer adventure at their own pace.

Enjoy the Outdoors

If there’s a common theme to these experiences, it’s getting outside. Palm Beach offers more than just beaches and resorts. It’s a place where you can explore wildlife, open water, wetlands, and wide-open skies, all within a short drive.

Spending time outdoors has a way of slowing things down and helping you recharge. Whether you’re paddling at sunset, spotting wildlife, or seeing the landscape from 10,000 feet, these experiences highlight what makes the area special. 

And while we hope you get the chance to enjoy everything on this list, we’d love to see you for a skydive while you’re here – book your jump today! If you have any questions about planning your skydive or what to expect, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help.