The Guarded Beach
On the ocean side of A1A, Ocean Inlet Park has 600 feet of guarded Atlantic beach just south of the inlet jetty, watched by Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue lifeguards every day.
What's here
- 600 feet of guarded Atlantic beach frontage.
- An ocean overlook.
- Outdoor showers and restrooms.
- Free parking, with paths across A1A from the main park.
Good to know
Lifeguards are on duty daily, generally 9 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., when a condition flag is flying. Swim only in the guarded area, well away from the inlet mouth, where currents can pull swimmers seaward. Balloons are prohibited in the park.
Swimming safely
Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue guards the swimming area year-round, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. whenever a condition flag is flying from the tower. If no flag is up, there's no lifeguard. Read the flags: green for low hazard, yellow for medium, red for high surf or strong currents, and purple for dangerous marine life.
Never swim in or near the inlet itself. Its tidal currents are strong enough to cause trouble for boats, let alone swimmers. If you're caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until you're free, then swim in.
For beach conditions
Call the county's beach conditions line at 561-629-8775, or Ocean Rescue at 561-629-8770, to check surf and flags before you go.
Tips
Arrive early on weekends, when the lot fills with anglers, boaters and beachgoers. Bring shade, since there's little on the sand. Rinse off at the outdoor showers before heading home. Watch the inlet traffic from the beach: boats running the inlet on a rough day are a show of their own.
See the rest of the park
The Beach is one of 6 featured areas at Ocean Inlet Park.