Your Guide to West Palm Beach Marine Wildlife

The Sunshine State has always been known as a fantastic vacation spot, but Florida tourism is very much on the rise. In fact, 2018 was a record year for tourism in Florida, with a 6.7 percent increase in person trips year-over-year.

Although Orlando and Miami certainly have their perks, those in-the-know will champion for the charm of West Palm Beach. As one of the three main cities in Southwest Florida, it’s known for its historic architecture, fantastic festivals, and epic waterfront views. While you’re on your getaway, it’s essential to take in the sights that are unique to this area.

That includes the wealth of marine life that Florida has to offer. Whether you’re going snorkeling in West Palm Beach, sightseeing along the shore, or visiting one of the area’s wildlife sanctuaries, there will be no shortage of incredible creatures to see. If you’re ready to dive in, here are some of the amazing animals you might get lucky enough to spot during your trip.

Manatees

Sometimes known as sea cows, these vegetarian gentle giants are legally protected by state and federal government agencies due to how vulnerable they are to extinction. Manatee season in Florida starts in November and ends in March, which means a wintertime trip is the perfect time to meet a manatee. There are locations here that allow you to swim with manatees, while other facilities provide learning materials and opportunities to see wild manatees swim up and greet you.

Sea turtles

The Palm Beach area is home to several different species of sea turtles. In fact, over 39,000 sea turtle nests were created along Palm Beach County coastlines in 2017, meaning that many young hatchlings take their first steps right here. Sea turtles are typically most active between March and October, with many hotels and wildlife centers offering packages to those who want to meet these creatures or help protect their populations. You might get a chance to see green, loggerhead, or leatherback sea turtles during your trip. Although you must take care not to disturb turtles or their nests and eggs, as it’s against the law.

Floridian fish

Approximately 8.38 million participants went snorkeling in the US during 2017, and there’s no better way to get up close and personal with Florida’s schools of super-sized fish. There are angelfish (which sometimes can be up to two feet long), snappers, and goliath groupers, as well as tuna, sailfish, and swordfish. Whether you want to go scuba diving or simply fishing, there’s little doubt that West Palm Beach offers a wide variety of fishy friends to see.

Rays and sharks

There are several different rays you might see in West Palm Beach, including manta rays, cownose rays, stingrays, and more. There’s even a new species that was recently spotted in the area. They may be distant cousins of the shark, but they’re actually more docile than dangerous. While rays do have stingers, their first instinct is to swim away at the sign of trouble. Sharks, on the other hand, are certainly amazing but should be observed at a distance. You may observe nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, whale sharks, and others if you explore the waters here.

Dolphins

If you’re a fan of Flipper, you’re in luck. There are several dolphin encounter experiences you can take advantage of during your trip to West Palm Beach. There are tours, swims, aquariums, and other adventures that will allow you to see dolphins from afar and up close. It’s best to do your research before booking a reservation with one of these companies to ensure the whole family can partake. You can even skip those experiences entirely and simply hope to see some during a boat ride or a walk along the waterfront.

When you plan a trip to West Palm Beach, you’ll want to leave room in your itinerary to appreciate the marvelous marine life in this area. There’s truly nothing like this natural beauty to begin or end your vacation on a high note.