Palm Beach Inlet

Located just north of Lake Worth Inlet, it serves as one of the two primary inlets south of Jupiter Inlet, providing access to the Atlantic Ocean from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Our Favorite Palm Beach Inlet Webcams

1. Peanut Island/Palm Beach Inlet Cam

2. Singer Island Beach

The Palm Beach Inlet and Peanut Island

Located near the mouth of the Lake Worth Inlet in Palm Beach County, Florida, the United States, Peanut Island is an island spanning 79 acres (0.32 km2).

A timeless example of Old Florida charm, Peanut Island’s sea grape-covered dunes hide a rich maritime past that has been conserved for future generations in the US Coast Guard Station and boathouse that have been there since the island’s establishment in 1936.

The Coast Guard Station provided the US government with defense capabilities during World War II. Later, the government repurposed a contiguous portion of the station’s property and used it as a fallout shelter during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In addition to being known to history buffs as the location of the renowned Kennedy bunker, the island’s history from inception to the current day also encompasses the local history of the Lake Worth Inlet, the Port of Palm Beach, and the preservation of the nature around it. The inlet and the Port of Palm Beach were also formed in 1918 by dredging-related work, which also built the island.

The JFK Bunker

During John F. Kennedy’s administration, the United States was granted a contiguous tract of property from the Lake Worth Inlet Coast Guard Station in 1961. On this property, a fallout shelter was built as a backup plan to safeguard the free world’s leader. The Kennedys owned a property on Palm Beach, and the bunker was strategically located on Peanut Island to provide a proximate sanctuary in the event of a nuclear missile strike.

Can You Tour the Kennedy Bunker?

Sadly, the Kennedy Bunker closed its doors in 2017. In January 2022, following several years of closure, the Palm Beach County Commissioners decided to seize control of the facility and make necessary repairs before restoring it to the public. The bunker is now closed while the renovation, expected to take several years, is being planned. But soon, you could have the chance to follow in President Kennedy’s footsteps on your trip to Peanut Island.