FLORIDA ESCAPE
Visit Singer Island for sparkling beaches, beautiful nature and water adventures
It's hard to imagine that folks who live in Palm Beach County, Fla., would ever feel the need to get away. After all, they live surrounded by splendor: the sea, the beach, the culture, the shopping and more. But folks do. And when they do, they know to just head down the road, over the Blue Heron Bridge and submerse themselves in the beautiful world that is Singer Island.
Singer Island, named for the son of Singer Sewing Machine magnate Isaac Singer, is just three miles north of Palm Beach but has a wonderful feeling of escape. While it's not big, it packs a total vacation punch, but in a seaside, chill kind of way.
You won't find shopping malls and theaters on Singer Island. Those luxuries are a quick jaunt over the bridge if you need them. You will find nature parks, marinas, hiking trails, sea sports, scuba diving, snorkeling and miles and miles of sandy beaches nestled up to the warm Gulf Stream. Singer Island's beaches are, in fact, the closest to the Gulf Stream in all of America.
Life on the island centers around the 4.7 miles of sparkling beaches. Hotels are tucked along it. As you
walk the beaches, you will find plenty of ways to have fun. Rent boats, sign up to paddle board and parasail and more.
You can learn to scuba or snorkel. There's plenty of great spots, but a true favorite is under the Blue Heron Bridge that brought you to the island. There, even beginner snorkelers (as well as expert divers) can find delight in the vibrant sea life. Besides the usual array of tropical fish drawn to the warm waters, you often spot starfish, hat fish and even seahorses. It's a must-do for visitors, with plenty of companies to help you do that, such as Pura Vida Divers, located on the island.
You can ride atop of the water on a peaceful paddle boarding adventure (also simple to learn on site). Check out High Point Paddle Adventures. To kick things up a bit, visit Get Wet Watersports for all kinds of active water fun.
Singer Island embraces nature, too. The best spot to soak it in is at MacArthur Beach State Park, the only state park in Palm Beach County. Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Worth Lagoon, the park's 438 acres is home to almost countless plants and animals. (Seven of those plants and 22 of the animals are endangered.) You can lose yourself wandering there, take educational tours or soak in the park's beautiful beach and rock reef. It's like a beach trip with a nature preserve wrapped into one.
Where to stay? The beach is dotted with fabulous hotel choices, and the island has a wealth of lovely condos available. You cannot do better than a stay at the Marriott Singer Island Resort, which is, according to Conde Nast, a top resort in Florida and the best in Palm Beach.
Just 13 miles from the airport, the Marriott Singer Island Resort is the only all-suite beachfront resort in the county — and there's a balcony in every suite. That makes it friendly for all: families, couples, business, weddings and more. With so many amenities, you might be tempted to never leave. You can snorkel in the resort's
own reef. With pools and an expansive beach, you can tuck into a lounge chair and call it home.
While suites mean easy in-room cooking, you'll want to go out, since the Marriott Singer Island Resort is like a foodie paradise. The three restaurants — from the casual fun of the Reef Tiki Bar to the Caribbean vibe at Lagoon Cantina, to the upscale Americana fare and 400-bottle wine list at 3800 Ocean — offer chef-inspired excellence.
Si Spa, the resort's inhouse spa, is heralded for focusing on using products from the sea. This is the only spa in the area to offer “Comfort Care Classes,” a wellness program for those either going through or recovering from cancer treatment.
Learn more at palmbeach marriottresort.com.
So what if you settle into this paradise and suddenly get a hankering for, say, culture or sports?
Three miles up the road (and over that bridge) is all that and more in Palm Beach. You'll find music, art, shopping, everything you can desire. Baseball lovers are right at home, too. Roger Dean Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins settle in for spring training, is just a few minutes to the north. To the south, you'll find The Ballpark of Palm Beaches, spring training home to the World Series champion Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals.
Over the Blue Heron Bridge, locals know, is the way to go for a total beach escape. Learn more at pbnchamber. com.