Blowing Rocks Preserve: Visitor’s Guide to a Unique Florida Beach

The first time I saw a picture of Blowing Rocks Preserve I couldn’t believe it was in Florida and I knew I had to plan a trip to visit! Blowing Rocks Preserve is one of the most unique beaches in Florida and I knew I had to see it for myself. The beach did not disappoint and it is definitely worth a visit! Below is all the information you need to know before you plan your visit!

Blowing Rocks Preserve – The Basics

Blowing Rocks Preserve is 73-acres of protected land and is located on Jupiter Island. It is a must see if you are near Jupiter, Florida. The shoreline is made up of the largest collection of Anastasia limestone rocks on the east coast of Florida.  

• Address: 574 S Beach Road, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
• Driving distance from select Florida cities:
  • Miami: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Orlando: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Tampa: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Jacksonville: 4 hours
• Hours: 9 AM to 4:30 PM, open daily
• Entrance Fee: $2 per person donation (optional)
• Activities: Beach access, hiking, swimming, snorkeling
  • No lifeguards on duty, swim at your own risk
• Other Notes: No pets, food, or alcohol are allowed
  • Reusable water bottles should be utilized to bring water

How long should I plan to visit?

I recommend planning to spend at least 1 to 2 hours at Blowing Rocks Preserve. If you want to sit and relax on the beach, you may want to plan to spend even longer. We spent most of our time checking out the limestone rocks on the beach and then walked all of the nature trails before leaving.

Is Blowing Rocks Preserve family friendly?

Yes, I think the unique limestone rocks will peak the interest of children of all ages! The nature trails are also short, which make them perfect for the entire family to explore. Additionally, this is a low cost activity which makes it family friendly. A couple things to keep in mind is the limestone rock can be sharp, so caution is recommended. There is also no lifeguard on duty if your kids decide to go for a swim.

Tips for visiting Blowing Rocks Preserve

1. Where to park

There are two parking lots on either side of the street next to Blowing Rocks Preserve. These fill up quickly, but we were able to snag a spot by arriving right at 9 AM. An additional option for parking is at Coral Cove Park but be prepared for about a 1-mile walk to Blowing Rocks Preserve.

2. Check the tide times before you visit

Timing your visit to Blowing Rocks based on the tide schedule is important depending on what you want to see. If you have a chance, I suggest visiting two separate times so you can experience Blowing Rocks Preserve at low and high tide. Don’t forget to check the Blowing Rocks Preserve tide schedule before your visit!

Visiting Blowing Rocks Preserve at High Tide

If you want to see the waves crashing into the rocks you want to time your visit as close to high tide as you can. When the sea is rough, and it is high tide, the waves crash into the rocks and can be as high as 50 feet in the air if the conditions are exactly right. During my visit high tide occurred when the area was closed, but we arrived at 9 AM when it opened about 2 hours after high tide

Visiting Blowing Rocks Preserve at Low Tide

If you want to see as much of the rocky limestone and sea caves you want to time your visit around low tide when the water is further out and calmer. I would love to go back to experience the beach at low tide.

3. Wear the right footwear

When exploring Blowing Rocks Preserve you will be walking on the sand along the beach as well as on the trails, so you want to consider the type of shoes you wear. I recommend water sandals if you have them, or some other type of shoe you do not mind getting sandy.

Nature Trails at Blowing Rocks Preserve

There are several short nature trails to explore. Due to the short length of each trail, they can all easily be walked in one visit.  

• Sea Grape Path: 125 yards
• Dune Trail: 0.4-mile (one-way)
• Maggy’s Path and Lagoon Trail: 0.4-mile loop
• Lagoon Boardwalk: 150 yards

Sea Grape Path

The Sea Grape Path is the trail you will want to walk to reach the Main Dune Crossover which is a platform providing you with the first view of the rocky shoreline. It’s a very peaceful walk with beautiful scenery. Next, you can head to the beach to walk along the shoreline.

Dune Trail

Dune Trail can be accessed right before you reach the Main Dune Crossover and runs parallel to the ocean. You can walk through the mangrove tunnels and end up further down the beach. You can turn around and head back or if you want a change of scenery, you can walk back on the beach.

Maggy’s Path and Lagoon Trail

Maggy’s Path starts at the education center on the other side of the road from the beach. It is a short path that connects to the Lagoon Trail Loop. Highlights of these trails include beautiful views of Indian River Lagoon.

Lagoon Boardwalk

The last trail we explored was the short Lagoon Boardwalk. This trail can be accessed from the other side of the education center from Maggy’s Path. The boardwalk also provides you with views of Indian River Lagoon. Additionally, the boardwalk connects to the Native Plant Garden. When we visited in January there was not a lot to see in the garden, but it might have been the time of year we visited.

Hawley Education Center

There is an education center to learn more about Blowing Rocks Preserve, but unfortunately the center has been closed due to COVID19 and was not open at the time of my visit in 2021. I tried reviewing the Blowing Rocks Preserve website recently, but I am not sure if the center has reopened yet.

Ready to visit Blowing Rocks Preserve?

Blowing Rocks Preserve held up to my expectations when I recently visited. The highlight is the beautiful beach with the limestone rocks. We also really enjoyed walking along the nature trails. My biggest tip for your visit is not to forget to check out the Blowing Rocks Preserves tides to time your visit accordingly!

What else is there to do in Jupiter, Florida?

There is plenty of other things to do in Jupiter if you are planning a trip to Blowing Rocks Preserve. A couple of my recommendations would be to visit the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. One of the most popular restaurants in Jupiter is Guanabanas! We also really enjoyed dinner at Casa Mia Trattoria & Pizzeria which was right next to our hotel. This was perfect after a long day of exploring!

Looking for other South Florida outdoor activities?

Check out these nearby national parks!

Biscayne National Park
Everglades National Park – Shark Valley
Everglades National Park – Homestead Entrance