Singer Island sits just north of Palm Beach in Florida’s Palm Beach County, and it is one of the most underrated boating destinations on the Atlantic coast. Seven miles of white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and Florida’s closest point to the Gulf Stream make it a natural playground for anyone stepping aboard a private yacht.
But here is the thing most visitors get wrong. They show up, park at the beach, and call it a day. A private yacht charter unlocks a completely different version of Singer Island, one that most beachgoers never see. Sandbars only accessible by boat, waterfront dining you can pull right up to, and snorkeling spots that rival anything in the Keys.
Below is a curated list of the best things to do in Singer Island, Florida, when a private yacht charter is the starting point.
Peanut Island is the crown jewel of any yacht charter day near Singer Island. This 79-acre man-made island sits in the Lake Worth Lagoon and is only accessible by boat. That alone makes it special.
The island has free day-use boat docks, charcoal grills, covered picnic areas, outdoor showers, and a snorkeling lagoon stocked with artificial reefs. It even has a historical angle: the island once housed a Cold War-era bunker built for President John F. Kennedy.
What makes it great from a yacht:
Most locals consider Peanut Island the place to be on weekends. A private yacht skips the ferry line entirely and puts guests right on the water’s edge.
Chartering a private yacht from Palm Beach puts Peanut Island just minutes away, with a USCG-licensed captain handling the route from dock to dock.
Phil Foster Park, located right at the entrance to Singer Island, is home to one of Florida’s top-rated snorkeling spots. Sport Diver Magazine once named it among the best dive destinations in the country, and for good reason.
The underwater snorkeling trail beneath the Blue Heron Bridge is packed with sea turtles, stingrays, tropical fish, manatees, and even seahorses during certain seasons. The site sits in relatively shallow water, so it works for beginners and experienced divers alike.
From a yacht, guests can anchor nearby and swim right over. No parking lot required.
Once out on the Intracoastal Waterway, the route south from Singer Island passes directly along Palm Beach Island. This stretch of water is lined with some of the most jaw-dropping estates in the country.
A yacht captain familiar with the area can point out the homes of past and present celebrities, tell stories about the island’s development history, and navigate the best vantage points. It is one of those things to do in Singer Island, Florida that feels like a private tour, because it basically is.
Singer Island holds a rare geographic advantage. It is the closest point on Florida’s coast to the Gulf Stream, which is exactly why it earned the nickname “drift diving capital of the world.” But that same proximity makes it an absolute magnet for offshore fishing.
|
Target Species |
Best Season |
Distance Offshore |
|
Sailfish |
Nov - Mar |
1 to 3 miles |
|
Mahi-Mahi |
Apr - Sep |
5 to 15 miles |
|
Wahoo |
Oct - Feb |
5 to 10 miles |
|
King Mackerel |
Year-round |
1 to 5 miles |
|
Snapper & Grouper |
Year-round |
Reef lines |
A yacht charter with fishing capabilities gives guests a shot at world-class catches without needing a separate sportfishing trip.
Sandbars are basically floating beach parties that appear and disappear with the tides. The sandbar near the Palm Beach Inlet, just south of Singer Island, is one of the most popular gathering spots for boaters in all of Palm Beach County.
On any given weekend, dozens of boats raft up here while their passengers wade into knee-deep turquoise water. A private yacht makes this experience far more comfortable, with shade, a full cooler, music, and water toys on board.
This 438-acre state park sits on the northern tip of Singer Island and is widely considered one of the most beautiful parks in Florida. It spans both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, stretching from the mangroves all the way out to the Atlantic Ocean.
From a yacht, guests get a completely different perspective on the park. The mangrove-lined waterways are ideal for kayaking or paddleboarding (which many yachts carry as onboard water toys), and the surrounding waters are teeming with wildlife.
Sailfish Marina on Singer Island has been a South Florida institution since the 1940s. Originally built as a dock for the local charter fleet, it has grown into a full-service marina with a waterfront restaurant that serves fresh-catch seafood with direct views of Peanut Island and the Intracoastal.
Pulling a yacht up to Sailfish Marina for lunch or dinner is one of the best things to do in Singer Island, Florida, for anyone who wants to mix a day on the water with real sit-down dining. The restaurant has a relaxed, old-Florida atmosphere, and on Thursday evenings, the marina hosts its Sunset Celebration with local art vendors and live music.
For certified divers, Singer Island’s reef system is something special. The Gulf Stream current runs parallel to the wrecks and reef lines just offshore, creating a mild drift that carries divers along effortlessly.
The visibility here can be stunning, and the marine life includes everything from nurse sharks and spotted eagle rays to colorful corals and tropical fish. A private yacht serves as the perfect base for a dive outing, with plenty of deck space for gearing up and rinsing off afterward.
Sunsets on the Intracoastal side of Singer Island are genuinely spectacular. The sky turns deep orange and pink over the West Palm Beach skyline, and it is the kind of view that looks better from a boat than from anywhere else.
Most sunset charters run about 90 minutes to two hours, departing in the late afternoon and cruising the waterway between Singer Island, Palm Beach, and the surrounding area. Add some drinks and a Bluetooth speaker, and it becomes the highlight of the trip.
For groups celebrating a birthday or bachelorette weekend on a yacht, a sunset cruise around Singer Island is one of the most popular ways to kick off the evening before heading to dinner on the mainland.
A lot of modern yacht charters come equipped with water toys like paddleboards, inflatable floats, snorkel gear, and even SeaBobs. For guests who want more than just sitting on a boat, these extras turn a charter day into a full adventure.
The calm, clear waters around Singer Island provide ideal conditions for all of it. Paddleboarding through the mangroves, floating at a sandbar, or snorkeling right off the swim platform are all on the table.
South Florida Yacht Rental’s company-owned fleet ranges from 22-foot day boats to 122-foot superyachts, with many vessels carrying paddleboards, floating mats, SeaBobs, and full snorkel kits as standard equipment.
|
Activity |
Time Needed |
Best For |
|
Peanut Island |
1 to 2 hours |
Families, groups |
|
Phil Foster Park snorkeling |
1 hour |
Adventurers |
|
Palm Beach cruise |
30 to 45 min |
Sightseeing |
|
Gulf Stream fishing |
3 to 4 hours |
Anglers |
|
Sandbar hangout |
1 to 2 hours |
Social groups |
|
MacArthur State Park |
1 to 2 hours |
Nature lovers |
|
Sailfish Marina dining |
1 to 1.5 hours |
Foodies |
|
Drift diving |
2 to 3 hours |
Certified divers |
|
Sunset cruise |
1.5 to 2 hours |
Couples, celebrations |
|
Water toys |
Flexible |
Everyone |
What are the best things to do in Singer Island, Florida from a yacht?
The top activities include anchoring at Peanut Island, snorkeling at Phil Foster Park’s Blue Heron Bridge, cruising past Palm Beach Island mansions, fishing the Gulf Stream, and watching the sunset from the Intracoastal Waterway. All of these are best experienced from the water.
Can you visit Peanut Island on a private yacht charter?
Yes. Peanut Island is only accessible by boat, so a private yacht charter is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to get there. The island has free day-use docks and plenty of sandbar space for anchoring.
Is Singer Island good for snorkeling and diving?
Singer Island is considered one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in South Florida. Phil Foster Park’s underwater trail and the offshore reef system along the Gulf Stream offer excellent visibility, diverse marine life, and conditions suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.
How long should a yacht charter around Singer Island last?
A half-day charter (4 hours) covers two to three main stops comfortably. For guests who want to combine activities like sandbar hopping, dining at Sailfish Marina, and watching the sunset, a full-day charter (6 to 8 hours) is the better option.