South Inlet Park

Not at all busy in the evenings, which for me was a great time to explore. It was probably my first and last time here being from out of state but I can see why it's a local hot spot.

Nice little beach along the south jetty of the Boca Inlet. The beach is far enough north of the big condo line coming up from Broward County. Parking is by meter with a pay station that works dependably. There are a few free beach parking options in Palm Beach County. This isn't one of them. Strangely enough, the beach parking permits you buy online aren't good here. A life guard stand is prominent as you walk the boardwalk over the dune to the beach. The beach offers nice views of the jetty, boats navigating the inlet, and other pleasant beach scenery. Because this is closer to us than the free parking options, we use this beach on a regular basis.

Really great and not too busy beach. There was a lot of erosion, however. The time we went the waves were very large. It was a lot of fun!

Small parking lot means not a lot of people 👌👍👍👍 First time here it was beautiful ❤ Watching the boats, swimming, snorkeling,or just sunning. Covered picnic tables awesome spot! 🤿😁🤿

A great park just north of Deerfield beach. Plenty of shade in the park offers a respite from the heat. Lots of picnic areas for family gatherings. Well maintained boardwalks all throughout. Restrooms and showers are on premises. Beautiful views, and it's a short walk to the pier. Lots of restaurants nearby. Quiet and peaceful. Lots of people fishing on the jetty. Seems like the place to be on the weekends...

Excellent place to feel the power of the relentless waves.

Very relaxing awesome and cool park and love the beach and inlet

Sometimes a shift of plans opens an unexpected path to something better. My scheduled dive canceled, as they couldn’t fill the boat and financially justify the trip. I decided to head to the beach with my mask and snorkel for a swim. I arrived at South Inlet Park Beach in Boca Raton. Upon arrival, I noticed a jetty and thought … this should be teaming with tropical fish. I was correct.

I swam along the rock wall, that sheltered the entrance to the canals, that led to the homes along a venetian style water boulevard. The sun shone bright, allowing good visibility, easy 30 ft, in the shallow, powder blue, waters this day in South Florida. The current and tides, were, gentle and ideal for snorkeling. I entered the water from the beach and swam effortless along the rocks, making my way along the slopping rock wall. My first thoughts, were; focused on how much activity bounced around these rocks. It was a shelter for schools of juvenile, stripped snapper, baby barracuda, tangs, dancing damsels and all sorts of finned creatures.

As I came to the end of the jetty, where it pointed like a finger out to sea, I was suddenly engulfed in a moving school of cigar minnows or round scads. They raced nervously around me just arms-length. Quickly, the cause of their tension, was revealed. At first a few small, Tarpon fish raced below the herded school. Then there were larger ones, some easily weighing as much as I. All of them darting around from different angles and working, together, to corral these bait fish, before launching attacks into the schooling mound. I followed this, excitedly, sucking air from my snorkel in gulps, feeling, fortunate to have swam into this feeding phenomenon. The school moved further away from the rocks and I followed them and their carnivorous caravan into the open water. Soon large barracudas joined the hunt and the feeding frenzy continued. I didn’t see an actual strike, only the darting of these large fish into and out of the wall of swarming fish.

After all this excitement I determined, my hour and a half, metered parking at the beach lot just wasn’t long enough. I exited the water, collected my stuff from the beach and marched back to feed the meter. I returned and went in for swim, round two. I entered at the same spot and began the journey along the rock wall of the jetties. I finned, calmly along the rocks, observing the different fish and their behavior. Currents and waves gently lifted me above the shallow rocks and set me back in place, before exploding in tiny bubbles on the rock wall. The fish scrambling, almost running into me and the bubbles tickling my body. The fish quickly resumed their activity, pecking and feeding on the algae clusters, that encrusted the rock wall, until the next wave disrupted them again. While observing all this activity, I suddenly saw a small barracuda, less than 2 ft, rise out of the rocks holding a scad fish in its mouth. I missed the strike but it had just happened. The barracuda, had the doomed fish midway between tail and head. The barracuda, seemed startled to discover me face to face with it. In that moment, it shook its head with force and the scad was now cut in two. The barracuda, quickly gobbled the tail end as the scad, the head end, bleeding and rudderless, finned hopelessly into the rocks followed by a hungry mob of fish. The natural world isn’t always kind but I find it consistently fascinating and wonderful. I wouldn’t have likely come across this on a dive … so a canceled excursion ended up a much more memorable experience ….

South Inlet Park has stunning, sweeping views of the ocean merging into the intercoastal waterway. The beach is small, quiet and peaceful. The 11 acre park has beach frontage with several picnic areas, walking paths, and a children's playground. It's not far from the Camino Real Bridge. Parking is available.

Excellent and awesome and nice place love the trees and everything around it

Excellent park to visit the Boca inlet and beach. One of the calmer beaches on a windy day because of the jetty. Great for fishing, too. Great park if you don't want crowds. Parking is ample at $3 p/hour on weekdays and $4 p/hour on weekends. Has a shelter, BBQ areas, multiple small playgrounds, lots of shaded areas when really hot out and restrooms. This is a county park so the Boca resident sticker will not work for parking. Personally one of my favorite Boca beach parks because it is never crowded. Also, you can walk all the way down to Deerfield Beach if you are up for it. ***the day we were there a storm was rolling in... Clearly not a calm day***

Park is great. A lot of scenic views! Spectacular.

My children & I loved this park. Both my kids passed & would love to buy a memorial bench here.

I came to Boca for a business trip, and this was the first beach I visited. It was quiet, I could hear the waves, and it was great watching the boats go in and out if the inlet. I did go again on a Saturday and it was packed. I believe it depends on the day of the week you decide to go. The pictures I took were on a Wednesday around 5:00 pm or so. Can't beat a calm evening at the beach after a long day of training people. I hope my review helps.

Nice beach park , not too many people

One of the most scenic BchParks on The Gold Coast. Boardwalks, a walkable reef, watching boats go through the channel. Not as expensive as the other parks in Boca that charge $20, metered parking here. We feature in our youtube video of Boca Raton/Delray Bch

We had a great time, the water was warm and clear. Very peaceful place, the parking is per hour.

I like the parking. It's shady. There is a very nice playground. Bathrooms are clean. You can take a long walk towards Deerfield Beach Pier.

It was the nicest of the 3 beaches I did in Boca. But let's keep that secret 😉. It got everything you need except restaurants.

Love coming here and walking out on the jetty looking at the water rushing in or out. If you go near high tide you'll see an amazing blue hue in the water that compares to the islands. There's always many species in particular sergeant major swimming near the rocks. There are also showers, bathrooms, and eating pavilion areas. Also, playgrounds for the kids.