Red Reef Park — Attraction in Boca Raton

In the 1970's the City of Boca Raton began to make an effort to preserve five miles along the coastline. Part of this preservation effort included purchasing 67 acres for Red Reef Park in 1974 through a special bond referendum. The master plan for Red Reef Park recommended the development of a nature center and as a result a group of concerned citizens formed the Gumbo Limbo Friends of the Nature Center. The City of Boca Raton's Sea Turtle Conservation Program began shortly after. In 1981 Red Reef Park opened with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and a par 3 golf course that was once a private course belonging to Sun and Surf Club.

In 2021 a new snorkel reef made out of limestone boulders was constructed to extend the snorkel trail for beach goers. The new reef was created to attract sergeant majors, parrotfish, bar jack, spot tail pinfish, molly miller, and more. I used to love coming to this park with my daughter when she was younger. She would spend hours snorkeling the reef off the beach but when we used come here it was $20 to park. Now it costs $50 just to enter Red Reef with a car on the weekend. I would rather spend the money for the shuttle to Peanut Island where you can snorkel off the beach or go to Phil Foster Park for the snorkel trail for free.

Visitors to Red Reef come to enjoy swimming, surf fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and photography. I hadn't been to Red Reef for a number of years but one day after visiting Gumbo Limbo I wanted to check the beach out. If you don't want to pay the $50 entrance fee you can park across the street at the municipal golf course for $3 an hour. I enjoyed the walking paths in the park through the coastal hammock. In addition to beach access the park also has picnic areas with grills, shower, restroom, and a playground. Note that alcohol and pets are not permitted...

Red Reef Park is a hidden gem in Boca Raton for snorkeling. The park's crystal-clear waters and calm waves make it an ideal spot for exploring the underwater world. There are plenty of fish to see, including sergeant majors, parrotfish, bar jacks, and spottail pinfish. You may even be lucky enough to see a stingray or a sea turtle.

The park has a designated snorkeling area with a variety of artificial reefs to explore. These reefs are made up of limestone boulders that have been placed in the water to attract marine life. The reefs are located just offshore, so you can easily reach them by swimming.

If you're a beginner snorkeler, Red Reef Park is a great place to start. The water is shallow and calm, so there's no need to worry about currents or waves. And the reefs are close to shore, so you don't have to swim far to see the fish.

If you're an experienced snorkeler, you'll still enjoy exploring the reefs at Red Reef Park. There's a lot to see, and the water is clear enough to see even the smallest fish.

Here are some tips for snorkeling at Red Reef Park:

Bring your own snorkel gear, or rent it from one of the shops in Boca Raton. Wear sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Be sure to stay within the designated snorkeling area. Be respectful of the marine life and don't touch the fish or coral. I highly recommend Red Reef Park to anyone looking for a great snorkeling experience. It's a beautiful park with clear waters and plenty of...

Our family absolutely loved our time at Red Reef Park! Following others suggestions, we parked across the street for the $3/hr parking since we have a little one and knew we wouldn't be there all day. It is $20/all day at the park. The walk across the street was really easy with a crosswalk. The park itself was beautiful with plenty of shade, play set, rinse showers, bathrooms and tables. But of course the real gem was walking the boardwalk and getting on the beach! The beach was near empty both days we went (early Dec '19) so it really felt like a slice of paradise! They have a machine that rakes the sand in the morning and lifeguard on duty. The best part to me was the green foilage on the backside rather than typical beach areas that have the hotels in view. It adds to the overall ambiance and it's exactly why we chose to come here multiple days rather than use the beachfront at the hotel we were staying at in Delray. Reviews mentioned great snorkeling, too, but my husband who is an avid diver and traveler was not overly impressed with the snorkeling. However, the water was wonderfully warm and clear, and there were definitely some fish to see with our highlight being the guitarfish and a bunch of colorful baby fishes. Without a doubt we would go back if ever in...