Peanut Island was made famous during the Cold War when it was turned into a Fallout shelter/bunker for President John F. Kennedy, who used to spend time in the Kennedy compound in nearby Palm Beach.  The bunker is now a museum, and the island has been turned into a very popular county park.  It features a coral reef that is ideal for snorkeling, especially at high tide.  The island is only accessible by boat, so we will be taking Captain Joe's Water Taxi ($10 round trip), at the earliest possible time (first boat leaves at 9:00 a.m.) in order to fully enjoy the 9:35 a.m. high tide.  You will need to bring your own snorkeling gear (mask, and flippers, mainly).  You should also bring a beach towel, water, snacks, sunscreen lotion, and a change of clothes if needed.  The water taxi allows three personal items as carry-on, plus a small cooler, per person, so try to fit everything into a daypack in order to make it easier to access the island.  The snorkeling trail is very well protected and close to shore, so even inexperienced snorkelers should be able to enjoy it.  The beaches on the island are also ideal for sunbathing.  Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the water taxi, so if you do bring a cooler, fill it up with non-alcoholic beverages only.

We will meet at 8:30 a.m. at Captain Joe's Water Taxi in Riviera Beach, FL.  This is a first-come-first-served system, so try to be there on time, in order to get on the first boat at 9:00 a.m.  If you miss it, you can always get a later boat, but check with us in order to know where to find us on the island.  The Water Taxi is located at the Riviera Beach Marina.  To get there from I-95, take the Blue Heron Blvd. exit, and go east to US 1 (also known as Broadway in Riviera Beach),  Go south on US 1, and at the first traffic light (13th Street), go east, about a block, towards the water.  This street dead-ends in the marina.  You will see the sign for Captain Joe's, right next to the Tiki Bar/Restaurant.  Parking is free.  The water taxi costs $10.00 round trip, and you pay the captain on the boat.  Apparently he prefers cash.