9 Things to Do in Lantana, FL on the Water

Lantana sits right between West Palm Beach and Delray Beach on a narrow strip of South Florida coastline where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Intracoastal Waterway. It is a small town with just under 12,000 residents, but the amount of water access packed into those three square miles is hard to beat.

For anyone searching for things to do in Lantana, Florida that revolve around the water, this guide covers nine activities that can fill an entire day, from an early morning beach session to a sunset dinner right on the Intracoastal.

1. Start the Morning at Lantana Public Beach

Lantana Public Beach is an 8-acre stretch with nearly 800 feet of shoreline. The sand is crushed shell, the water is warm almost year-round, and the beach never feels anywhere near as crowded as its neighbors in Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale.

But here is what most visitors miss. The northern section of Lantana Beach has a submerged rocky formation (remnants of an old roadbed) that has turned into a natural reef over time. Tropical fish gather around those rocks just 20 feet from shore. Bring a mask and snorkel, and you can spot colorful reef fish without ever stepping on a boat.

Quick tip: Low tide is the best window for snorkeling here because the water sits shallower and visibility tends to be clearer.

2. Launch a Kayak or Paddleboard from Lyman Kayak Park

Lyman Kayak Park is a dedicated launch site on the Intracoastal Waterway at 106 N. Lake Drive. It has a proper ramp, a passive green space to stage gear, and paid parking. The Intracoastal here is wide and sheltered, which makes it ideal for paddleboarding even if someone has never done it before.

From the launch, paddlers can head south toward Hypoluxo Island or north toward the Ocean Avenue Bridge (watching the drawbridge open and close for passing sailboats is surprisingly fun). Manatees are common in these waters during cooler months, and dolphins show up year-round.

3. Book a Drift Fishing Trip with Bar Jack Fishing

Bar Jack Fishing has operated out of Lantana since 1963. That is over 60 years of putting people on fish off the Palm Beach County coast. They run both public drift fishing trips on the Lady K and private charters for groups.

The drift fishing format works well for visitors because all bait, tackle, and rods are provided. The boat heads offshore and drifts along the natural reef line where snapper, kingfish, grouper, and amberjack all hang out. Half-day trips depart from 314 East Ocean Avenue, and the crew handles everything from baiting hooks to netting the catch.

For anyone serious about fishing, Lantana is actually one of the better departure points in Palm Beach County. The reef sits close to shore here, so the ride out is short and more time is spent actually fishing.

4. Explore the Intracoastal by Boat

One of the best things to do in Lantana, Florida, is simply cruising the Intracoastal Waterway by boat. The waterway here runs between Lantana and Hypoluxo Island, lined with waterfront homes, mangrove pockets, and the occasional mega-yacht docked along a private seawall.

For visitors who do not own a boat, renting a boat in Delray Beach is straightforward since Lantana is just 5 miles up the Intracoastal. A pontoon boat or center console opens up the entire southern Palm Beach County waterway system, from Lake Worth Lagoon all the way down to the Boynton Beach Inlet where the Intracoastal meets the open Atlantic. And the area around the inlet tends to be a hotspot for spotting sea turtles and stingrays in the clear, shallow water.

A day on the Intracoastal also gives access to waterfront restaurants with boat docks. Pull up, tie off, and grab lunch without ever needing a car.

5. Snorkel the Nearshore Reefs by Boat

South Florida's reef system runs remarkably close to shore in Palm Beach County. That is something many first-time visitors do not realize. Several natural and artificial reefs sit within a short boat ride from Lantana, and the marine life is genuinely impressive for the East Coast.

Popular nearby snorkeling spots accessible by boat include:

• Boynton Beach Inlet rocks - great for spotting tropical species in shallow water
• Phil Foster Park Snorkel Trail - an 800-foot artificial reef near Blue Heron Bridge with seahorses, octopus, spotted rays, and nurse sharks
• Peanut Island - a man-made island in the Lake Worth Lagoon with clear water and easy shore entry

Getting to these spots is significantly easier (and faster) with a boat rather than driving to each location separately. A few hours on the water can cover all three.

6. Fish the Intracoastal for Snook and Redfish

Not all fishing in Lantana requires heading offshore. The Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Worth Lagoon are loaded with inshore species that put up a serious fight on light tackle.

Snooks stack up around bridge pilings and dock lights (especially at night). Redfish cruise the mangrove edges of Hypoluxo Island. Sheepshead hang around the barnacle-covered seawalls. And spotted sea trouts sit in the grass flats just south of the Ocean Avenue Bridge.

There is also Bicentennial Park, which has a small fishing pier right on the water. It is free to use and a solid option for anyone who wants to cast a line without booking a charter or renting a boat.

7. Take a Sunset Cruise on Lake Worth Lagoon

The sunsets in Lantana hit differently because the town faces west over the Intracoastal. That means the sky lights up directly over the water every evening, and watching it from a boat is the best seat in the house.

Sunset cruises depart from marinas in the Lantana and Boynton Beach area. Some are guided tours on larger vessels, while others can be done on a rented pontoon boat with a private group. Either way, the route along Lake Worth Lagoon passes waterfront mansions, bird rookery islands, and the bright green facade of the Old Key Lime House as the sky goes orange and pink behind it.

Pro tip: Time the cruise to end at a waterfront restaurant with boat docks. Dinner right after sunset is the perfect way to cap the experience.

8. Dock and Dine at the Old Key Lime House

The Old Key Lime House sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway at 300 East Ocean Avenue. It has been here since 1889, which makes it the oldest waterfront restaurant in Florida. The building was originally a home for the Lyman family, then a boarding house, then a speakeasy during Prohibition, and now a full-blown South Florida landmark.

The restaurant has boat slips along the dock, so arriving by water is not just possible but encouraged. Inside (or rather, mostly outside on the sprawling deck and patio areas), you will find fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and what many consider the best key lime pie in Palm Beach County. The tiki bar is the largest in South Florida, built as an authentic Seminole chickee hut, and live music plays most evenings.

It is one of those rare spots where the setting alone would be worth the trip, but the food actually delivers too.

9. Walk the Lantana Nature Preserve Before or After a Water Day

After spending hours on the water, a quiet walk through the Lantana Nature Preserve is a solid way to wind down. The preserve is tucked on the barrier island among the condos and resorts, but once inside, it feels like a completely different world.

A shaded trail runs through mangrove habitat along the Intracoastal Waterway. There is a butterfly garden full of native pollinator plants, and bird-watching is excellent, especially during migration season. The trail is flat, short, and easy, making it accessible for anyone.

While it is technically a land activity, the preserve runs right along the water's edge and offers a different perspective on the same Intracoastal Waterway that the rest of this list explores by boat, board, or kayak.

Planning a Full Day on the Water Near Lantana

The beauty of Lantana's location is that everything sits close together. The beach, the Intracoastal launch points, the fishing docks, and the waterfront restaurants are all within a few minutes of each other.

For visitors staying anywhere in the Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, or West Palm Beach corridor, Lantana is an easy day trip that packs a surprising amount of water activity into a compact area. Renting a boat for the day opens up access to most of the spots on this list, from snorkeling the reefs to fishing the flats to docking at the Old Key Lime House for dinner. Delray Beach Boat Rentals offers a fleet of luxury boats and yachts that depart from nearby, making it easy to cover Lantana's waterways in a single outing.

FAQs

What are the best things to do in Lantana, Florida for families?

Lantana Public Beach is great for kids, with calm water and space to play. Bicentennial Park has a playground, a fishing pier, and Intracoastal views. Drift fishing on the Lady K with Bar Jack Fishing works for all ages since the crew provides all the gear and helps beginners.

Can you snorkel at Lantana Beach without a boat?

Yes. The northern section of Lantana Beach has submerged rocks about 20 feet from shore where tropical fish gather. Bring a mask and snorkel, and low tide is the best time for visibility.

Is Lantana Florida close to Delray Beach?

Lantana is roughly 5 miles north of Delray Beach, about a 10-minute drive. Both towns sit on the Intracoastal Waterway, so they are also connected by water, making it easy to boat between the two.

Where can you rent a boat near Lantana, FL?

Several marinas in the surrounding area offer boat rentals, including options in nearby Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. Pontoon boats, center consoles, and larger vessels are available for half-day or full-day trips on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic.