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Munyon Island is within John D. Macarthur State Park in North Palm Beach county. It is on a barrier island between PGA Blvd. and Blue Heron Blvd. You can park and launch without going into the park entrance. The island was once home to a hotel and resort in the early 1900s, but that has long since burnt down. There are a few remaining stone structures on the south tip of the island. The interior of the island has been restored to a more "natural" state. (Lake Worth was originally a fresh water lake until the inlets were created about 110 years ago, so it's impossible to restore the true natural environment) There is a boardwalk and 5 picnic shelters. The area is fairly small, but full of wildlife and very shallow, making it a good spot to take small children. By shallow, I mean 1/2 of the flats are exposed at low tide, so try to come around a high tide cycle. The PGA Blvd bridge over the intracoastal is the nearest tide reporting station. This area is the farthest south where redfish are often found until you get to the Keys. Snook are common here also, but generally on the small side. Sheepshead may hang out around the pilings on the boardwalk across the lagoon to the beach.
John D. Macarthur Park is a stretch of never-developed beachfront. There is a nice nature trail and a long boardwalk over a lagoon to the beach, which is in front of a 15 foot tall sand dune. It is one of the higher density sea turtle nesting areas. The dunes took a beating with hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, as they used to be solid green walls of vegetation. They are recovering nicely as of 2008. There is no beach access here with a kayak.
Peanut Island can be accessed from Phil Foster Park off Blue Heron Blvd. There is a beach launch. Peanut has been developed with camping, picnic, fishing and snorkeling areas.
Directions: From the south, take I-95 to Blue Heron Blvd., head east, cross the intracoastal and follow A1A north past all the condos. On the left you will notice a clearing in the mangrove barrier with a metal guardrail. Make a U-turn (or drive north a little to the park entrance and make a U-turn) and park on the side of the road just south of the guardrail facing south. Don't park on the running path. There is a small break in the mangroves, which is the put-in. From the north, take PGA Blvd. east to A1A, then head south. You will pass the park entrance, go over a small bridge and then the guardrail will be on your right. If the west side parking is full, there is more parking on the east (northbound) side of the raod. The official park entrance is north of the put-in. You can launch from inside the park, which requires paying the entrance fee. One of the parking lots has a kayak put-in -- take the main entrance road toward the Nature Center and turn left at the "Kayak Launch" sign. The Macarthur Park south kayak launch is only for rental trips arranged through the park. This is just south of the free put-in spot.
Entrance fee/parking: Free at the bridge, $3-$4 inside the park.
Facilities: A plastic tube for used fishing line. Kayak rentals are available within John D. Macarthur park.
Put-in/Take-out: Concrete at high tide, sand at low tide.
Route: You can go under the bridge to explore the lagoon inside the park (mainly for birdwatching), otherwise just paddle around the island. There are little beaches at the north and south ends on the east side and a larger beach in the middle of the west side of Munyon. The entrances to the boardwalk and picnic shelters are on the west (intracoastal) side.
Wildlife: Manatees, ospreys, herons, egrets, spoonbills.
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