East Palmetto Park Road runs from downtown Boca Raton over the Intracoastal and ends at A1A at South Beach Park. The City of Boca Raton runs three beach parks on A1A: South Beach Park (400 N. State Road A1A), Red Reef Park (1400 N. Ocean Blvd.) and Spanish River Park (3001 N. State Road A1A). Palm Beach County runs a fourth, South Inlet Park, at the Boca Raton Inlet. Every fee, hour and rule below is from the operators’ own pages, checked Oct. 20, 2026.
- The City runs three beach parks: Spanish River Park (3001 N. State Road A1A), Red Reef Park (1400 N. Ocean Blvd.) and South Beach Park (400 N. State Road A1A). City of Boca Raton: Beaches
Beach fees from October 1, 2026
The City charges one daily entry fee per vehicle, the same at all three City beach parks. Its table, headed “Fees As of October 1, 2026”, reads:
| Vehicle | Weekdays | Weekends and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 vehicle (a car) | $40 | $55 |
| Class 2 vehicle | $95 | $140 |
| Trailer behind a vehicle | $35 extra | $35 extra |
The City page defines the vehicle classes; check it if you are driving anything larger than a car. The trailer charge is added to a daily fee or to an annual permit. Older articles still quote lower daily fees from before Oct. 1, 2026; they are out of date.
- One park, one day. A daily pass is valid only at the park where it is bought, for that day. Pay at South Beach and drive to Red Reef, and you pay again.
- No cash. From Oct. 1, 2026 the gatehouses take debit and credit cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay only.
- Meters are separate. Annual beach permits are not valid at metered spaces anywhere in the city, beaches included. The South Beach Pavilion at the end of Palmetto Park Road has metered parking only.
- As of October 1, 2026, the City's daily beach park entry fee for a car (Class 1 vehicle) is $40 on weekdays and $55 on weekends and holidays. A daily pass is valid only at the park where it is bought, for that day. City of Boca Raton: Beach Permits & Daily Rates
- Beginning October 1, 2026, City beach park gatehouses no longer accept cash; they take debit and credit cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay. City of Boca Raton: Beach Permits & Daily Rates
- Annual beach permits are not valid at metered spaces anywhere in the city. The South Beach Pavilion has metered parking only. City of Boca Raton: South Beach Park & Pavilion
- Older third-party articles quote beach fees of $17-$18 a day. The City's current table (as of October 1, 2026) is $40 weekdays and $55 weekends/holidays for a car. Never use the old figures. City of Boca Raton: Beach Permits & Daily Rates (vs. The Coastal Star snippet)
Annual beach permits
The Annual Beach Vehicle Entry Permit runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. It costs $90 for City of Boca Raton and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents and covers all three beach parks. Other Palm Beach County residents pay $108 for a permit valid at South Beach Park only. The City’s Beach Permits and Daily Rates page says who qualifies and how to apply.
- An Annual Beach Vehicle Entry Permit (October 1 to September 30) is $90 for City of Boca Raton and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents, covering all three beach parks, and $108 for other Palm Beach County residents, for South Beach Park only. City of Boca Raton: Beach Permits & Daily Rates
Which beach fits you? The beach matcher
Tick what you need, such as lifeguards, showers, snorkeling or wheelchair access, and the matcher lists the beach parks whose operators publish that, sorted by distance or by fit. Where an operator’s page is silent, it says so.
Decision tool · beach matcher
Which beach near downtown Boca Raton fits you?
Tell us what you need from a beach day. We match you to the public beach parks east of downtown, from the Boca Raton Inlet north to Spanish River Park, using what each operator publishes, and flag anything they do not say.
Public beach parks near downtown Boca Raton, side by side
| Beach | Lifeguards | Restrooms | Showers | Free parking | Fishing | Dogs | Wheelchair | Picnic | Playground | Snorkel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Beach ParkCity of Boca Raton (Recreation Services; Ocean Rescue) · 1 mi | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Not published | No | Yes | Not published | Yes | Not published |
| Red Reef ParkCity of Boca Raton (Recreation Services; Ocean Rescue) · 1.4 mi | Yes | Yes | Not published | No | Not published | No | Not published | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| South Inlet ParkPalm Beach County Parks & Recreation · 1.4 mi | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Not published | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not published |
| Spanish River ParkCity of Boca Raton (Recreation Services; Ocean Rescue) · 2.5 mi | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes | Yes | Not published |
Check = the operator says yes. Dash = the operator says no. Question mark = the operator does not say; ask before you go. Miles are straight-line from Palmetto Park Road at Federal Highway.
Features, fees and hours come from each operator's own page (the City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation), checked 2026-10-20. The City's daily beach entry fee is the same at South Beach, Red Reef and Spanish River parks and is valid only at the park where you pay. Distances are straight lines, not driving routes.
Want the beach ten minutes from home? See what living in Boca Raton is like.
The three City beach parks
South Beach Park
The closest beach to downtown, at the east end of Palmetto Park Road. The City lists it open 8 AM to sunset, with 228 parking spaces (6 accessible) that need a permit or the daily fee, and free EV parking for permit holders and paid entrants. The historic South Beach Pavilion is where the City says to watch the sunrise; it has a playground, showers, restrooms and an ADA ramp, and metered parking only.
- South Beach Park is open 8am to sunset with 228 parking spaces that need a permit or daily fee; the City says its pavilion is the place for a sunrise view. City of Boca Raton: South Beach Park & Pavilion
Red Reef Park
At 1400 N. Ocean Blvd., Red Reef is open 8 AM to 10 PM, later than the other two. It has 230 parking spaces (12 accessible), a boardwalk, snorkeling pods, a walking trail, a playground and 54 grills; fires are allowed only in the designated grills. Red Reef Park West, across A1A at 1371 N. Ocean Blvd., has metered parking paid by ParkMobile. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is next door to the north.
- Red Reef Park is open 8am to 10pm, with 230 parking spaces (permit or daily fee), a boardwalk, snorkeling pods and 54 grills. City of Boca Raton: Red Reef Park Beach
Spanish River Park
The largest of the three, at 3001 N. Ocean Blvd., about 3.5 km (straight line) north of South Beach Park. It is open 8 AM to sunset, with 816 parking spaces (17 accessible), frontage on both the beach and the Intracoastal, a canoe and kayak launch, trails, a playground, sand volleyball, 124 grills and 10 pavilions for rent ($100 for residents, $200 for non-residents). The City calls its beach a Blue Flag award winner. Metered spaces on Spanish River Blvd. just before A1A are paid by ParkMobile.
- Spanish River Park is open 8am to sunset, with 816 parking spaces, beach and Intracoastal frontage, a canoe/kayak launch and rentable pavilions. The City calls its beach a Blue Flag award winner. City of Boca Raton: Spanish River Park Beach
South Inlet Park (Palm Beach County)
South Inlet Park, at 1100 S. Ocean Blvd. by the Boca Raton Inlet, is run by Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, not the City, so City permits and daily passes do not apply. The County charges for parking by the hour: $4 an hour Monday to Friday and $5 an hour on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, tax included. Kiosks take credit cards only (Discover, MasterCard, Visa), and ParkMobile is offered; note your space number before you go to the kiosk. The County lists a $35 fine for unlawful parking. The park is open sunrise to sunset, and the jetty is open 24 hours.
The County describes 850 feet of guarded beach, saltwater fishing, picnic areas with grills, a playground for ages 5 to 12, restrooms and outdoor showers. Fishing and surfing are not allowed in the guarded swimming area, and balloons are banned. Source: Palm Beach County Parks, South Inlet Park.
Lifeguard hours
Boca Raton Ocean Rescue lifeguards staff South Beach, Red Reef and Spanish River parks every day, all year: 9 AM to 5 PM in Eastern Standard Time and 9 AM to 6:30 PM during daylight saving time. The City states the hours by time regime, not by date. On the federal calendar, that means 9 AM to 6:30 PM through Oct. 31, 2026, 9 AM to 5 PM from Nov. 1, 2026 to March 13, 2027, then 9 AM to 6:30 PM again from March 14, 2027. Check the City’s site on the day for notices.
- Boca Raton Ocean Rescue lifeguards staff South Beach, Red Reef and Spanish River parks every day, year-round, 9am to 5pm Eastern Standard Time and 9am to 6:30pm during daylight saving time. City of Boca Raton: Ocean Rescue
- The City gives lifeguard hours by time regime (9am-5pm standard time, 9am-6:30pm daylight time) but not by date. seasons.json maps these to the federal DST dates (DST ends Nov 1, 2026; begins Mar 14, 2027); those calendar dates are not on the City page. City of Boca Raton: Ocean Rescue
Gumbo Limbo is nature, not a swimming beach
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, at 1801 N. Ocean Blvd. at the north end of Red Reef Park, has free general admission. The nature center and aquariums are open Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM and Monday noon to 4 PM; the trails, boardwalk and tower open 7 AM to sunset. It closes on New Year’s Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The City says sunbathing is not permitted and bathing suits are not proper attire. Its small lot is for Gumbo Limbo visitors only, with no beach parking; extra metered spaces are in the Red Reef West lot. No pets.
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, at the north end of Red Reef Park, was founded in 1984 by the City of Boca Raton, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District and Florida Atlantic University. General admission is free. City of Boca Raton: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Plan Your Visit (with About Gumbo Limbo)
- Gumbo Limbo's nature center and aquariums are open Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Monday 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm; trails, boardwalk and tower 7:00 am to sunset. It closes on New Year's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pets are not allowed. City of Boca Raton: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Plan Your Visit
Dogs: only at Bark Beach, with a permit
Pets are banned on City beaches, with one exception: Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, between lifeguard towers 18 and 20, for dogs with a Bark Beach permit. It is open daily 7 AM to 9 AM, and again from 3 PM (standard time) or 5 PM (daylight time) to sunset. As of Oct. 1, 2026, a permit is $70 a year for City and Beach and Park District residents, $630 a year for non-residents, or $20 per visit for a three-day permit. Beach parking is not included, so you also pay the park entry fee. Source: City, Bark Beach.
- Pets are banned on City beaches except Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, between lifeguard towers 18 and 20, for dogs with a Bark Beach permit. It is open daily 7-9am and from 3pm (standard time) or 5pm (daylight time) to sunset. City of Boca Raton: Bark Beach Dog Entry Permit
- As of October 1, 2026, Bark Beach dog permits are $70 a year for City and Beach and Park District residents, $630 a year for non-residents, or $20 per visit for a three-day permit. Beach parking is not included. City of Boca Raton: Bark Beach Dog Entry Permit
Beach rules
City park pages list these as prohibited in City parks, beaches and facilities: pets, smoking, alcoholic beverages, Styrofoam, drones, balloons and confetti, overnight camping and fires. City Code Sec. 4-4 separately makes it unlawful to drink alcohol on any beach, park, street, sidewalk or public parking lot, except under a special event permit.
- City park pages list pets, smoking, alcoholic beverages, Styrofoam, drones, balloons and confetti, overnight camping and fires as prohibited in City of Boca Raton parks, beaches and facilities. City of Boca Raton: Red Reef Park Beach (Park Rules & Regulations)
- City Code Sec. 4-4 makes it unlawful to consume an alcoholic beverage of more than 1 percent alcohol on any public street, sidewalk, right-of-way, park, beach or public parking lot, except under a special event permit (Sec. 4-5). Boca Raton Code of Ordinances (Municode): Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, Sec. 4-4
Sea turtle season
Gumbo Limbo says sea turtle nesting season in South Florida runs March 1 to October 31. Its 2026 Boca Raton nest totals were 43 leatherback and 1,118 loggerhead nests, both record highs, and 154 green turtle nests. FWC says decorative beachfront lights should stay off until nesting season ends on October 31.
- Gumbo Limbo says sea turtle nesting season in South Florida runs March 1 through October 31. Its 2026 Boca Raton nest totals were 43 leatherback and 1,118 loggerhead (both record highs) and 154 green. City of Boca Raton: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Nesting
- FWC says decorative beachfront lights should not be turned on until after sea turtle nesting season ends, October 31. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Sea Turtles and Lights
Getting to the beach without a car
The City’s BocaConnect on-demand shuttle covers downtown and the barrier island from Gumbo Limbo Nature Center south to the Boca Raton Inlet. Rides inside the downtown zone are free, and rides to or from the outer zone cost $2 per rider plus $1 per extra rider, capped at $5. The City does not say which zone each beach is in, so check the Circuit app. Hours are on our getting here page.
- BocaConnect serves the area south of Glades Road, east of I-95, north of the Hillsboro Canal and west of NE 5th Way/SE 5th Avenue/Royal Palm Way, plus the barrier island from Gumbo Limbo Nature Center to the Boca Raton Inlet. Rides within the red (downtown) zone are free; rides to or from the outer zone are $2 per rider plus $1 per extra rider, capped at $5. City of Boca Raton: BocaConnect – Circuit Shuttle
Accessible beach access
The City lists designated accessible parking spaces at each beach park: 6 at South Beach, 12 at Red Reef and 17 at Spanish River. The South Beach Pavilion has an ADA ramp, and the City says most areas of Gumbo Limbo are wheelchair accessible. At South Inlet Park the County offers a beach surf wheelchair and a beach mat; the County says a disability placard alone does not exempt a car from its parking fee. For downtown parking, see the parking page.
Beach FAQ
How much does beach parking cost in Boca Raton?
As of October 1, 2026, a day pass for a car at a City beach park is $40 on weekdays and $55 on weekends and holidays, valid only at that park for that day. Gatehouses no longer take cash; bring a card or use Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Can BocaConnect take me to the beach?
The City's service area includes the barrier island from Gumbo Limbo Nature Center to the Boca Raton Inlet. The fare depends on the zone on the City's service-area map, and any ride in the outer zone must start or end in the free downtown zone.
Which beaches are closest to downtown and who runs them?
The City of Boca Raton runs three beach parks on A1A: South Beach Park (400 N. Ocean Blvd.), Red Reef Park (1400 N. Ocean Blvd.) and Spanish River Park (3001 N. Ocean Blvd.). Gumbo Limbo Nature Center sits at the north end of Red Reef Park.
Source: City of Boca Raton: Beaches
Is there a cheaper way to park at the beach?
Residents can buy an Annual Beach Vehicle Entry Permit (October 1 to September 30): $90 for City and Beach and Park District residents, covering all three beach parks, or $108 for other Palm Beach County residents, valid at South Beach Park only.
When are lifeguards on duty?
Boca Raton Ocean Rescue staffs South Beach, Red Reef and Spanish River parks every day, year-round, from 9am to 5pm in standard time and 9am to 6:30pm during daylight saving time.
Source: City of Boca Raton: Ocean Rescue
Can I bring my dog to the beach?
Only to Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, between lifeguard towers 18 and 20, with a Bark Beach dog permit. It is open daily 7-9am and from 3pm (standard time) or 5pm (daylight time) until sunset; pets are not allowed on other City beaches or at Gumbo Limbo.
Is Gumbo Limbo Nature Center free?
Yes, general admission is free. The nature center is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 4pm and Monday noon to 4pm, and its trails and boardwalk are open 7am to sunset.
Source: City of Boca Raton: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Plan Your Visit
When is sea turtle nesting season?
Gumbo Limbo says nesting season in South Florida runs March 1 through October 31, and FWC asks that decorative beachfront lights stay off until it ends. Gumbo Limbo's 2026 Turtle Walks sold out; 2027 dates are not posted yet.
Source: City of Boca Raton: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Nesting
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Boca Raton (official site)