Phipps Ocean Park is a public reserve featuring all the amenities and attractions you’ll need for a full day by the sea. The park is split into two areas, north and south. The north side is best for beachgoers, with golden sand, gentle waves and a safe swimming area patrolled by lifeguards. The south side has a six-court public tennis facility.
Bring beach chairs and a sun umbrella for a relaxing time at this secluded beach. Wear a good pair of beach shoes because the rocky parts of the shoreline can be difficult to traverse by foot. Beneath the water’s surface, however, this rocky shoreline is flourishing with underwater life. Pull on your snorkel gear to discover the fascinating tropical wildlife in the warm waters.
Pack tennis gear to take part in the “drop-in” round robin games any day of the week at the Phipps Ocean Park Tennis Center. Pack a picnic and cook some lunch on the park’s on-site grill facilities. The picnic area is shaded under trees and offers a beautiful ocean vista. Check out the Little Red Schoolhouse, a 19th-century community education facility for local kids. A 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) stroll north along the beach will bring you to “Billionaire’s Row,” a strip of mansions looking out to sea. Don’t wander too far inland here because the majority of the beach is private property.
Phipps Ocean Park is located on the Palm Beach barrier island. The park has two metered parking lots with free parking available for the first 2 hours. There are public toilets and showering facilities at the park’s tennis courts. Occasionally the coast is affected by heavy afternoon thunderstorms, but these usually don’t last long. For the most part of the year, you can expect warm tropical Floridian sunshine.
