The Underrated Tropical Island In Florida You've Probably Never Heard Of

If you want to travel to a tropical island, you may assume that you have to venture out to the Caribbean or to Hawaii. However, if you're in Florida (or are planning to visit), you can actually explore a tropical island much closer to the mainland. In fact, this place isn't even out in the ocean. Instead, Peanut Island (aka "the Nut," as locals might call it) is located in the Intracoastal Waterway, situated just north of Palm Beach, home to one of the largest mansions in the USA.

The story of this little-known island is quite interesting, as it was first created in 1918 by dredging the nearby inlet. At first, it only measured 10 acres, but as more material was added over the decades, it eventually became the nearly 80-acre island you can visit today. Its original name was Inlet Island because of its location, but it changed to Peanut Island after a peanut oil company was slated to use the land for a refinery and distribution center. While the oil deal fell through, the name stuck.

Now, the island has become a popular attraction for residents and tourists alike, thanks to its gorgeous scenery, snorkeling opportunities, and pristine sands. So, if you want to feel like you're on a tropical getaway without venturing outside the United States, discover what Peanut Island has in store.

First and foremost, although Peanut Island is surrounded by the city of Palm Beach, it's not accessible by road like the Florida Keys. Instead, you must either take your own boat and weigh anchor next to the shoreline or hop in a water taxi. One option is the Peanut Island Shuttle Boat, located across the waterway on the western side and offering daily excursions. Because the island is a popular destination, spots fill up quickly, so it's best to arrive as early as possible (the first departure is 10 a.m.).

Once you're on the island, the recreation opportunities available include swimming, lounging on the beach, snorkeling, kayaking, or walking along the island loop trail. If you want to get into the water, there are designated swimming areas on the eastern side, which may or may not have lifeguards, depending on the day of the week and the time of year. Additionally, the eastern side of the island is where you'll find the snorkeling lagoon where you can spot fish and other sea life humming around coral reefs.

As you walk around the island, you'll also see the old coast guard station and the Kennedy Bunker. The bunker was built for the Kennedy family in the early 1960s, and it is closed to the public at the time of this writing. However, there have been talks of renovating and reopening it in the future, so you may be able to tour the inside at some point. Finally, the western side of the island is covered in mangrove trees, which can provide ample shade and may house various local wildlife like birds and iguanas.

Since the island is part of Palm Beach, the nearest travel hub is the Donald J. Trump International Airport, which is only 20 minutes south of the marina by car. There are plenty of hotels and resorts in the area, though none are located directly on the island. If you want to stay on the island overnight, you can reserve a campsite. However, with only 17 sites available, they fill up quickly. You can reserve up to 90 days in advance, so the sooner you can book your site, the better. At the time of this writing, sites can cost either $30 or $60 per night (plus tax), depending on the size, and you can only stay for up to three nights.

One thing to keep in mind is that there are no concession stands or convenience stores on the island. This means you must bring everything with you, including food, water, clothing, and other supplies. Boat vendors often pull up to the island to serve meals, but there is no official schedule, so you never know what might be available.

Overall, Peanut Island is great for a day trip, especially if you already plan to be in the greater Palm Beach area. It's easy to add to any Florida vacation itinerary where you may be visiting other popular Florida tourist attractions. For example, you can drive north to Stuart, the Treasure Coast gem that's also one of the best beach towns of 2026, or you can drive south to Miami and the Florida Keys.