If turquoise water, sharks, tropical restaurants and laid-back Old Florida vibes sound like your kind of weekend, Jupiter, Florida needs to be on your list. This little slice of Palm Beach County packs beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife experiences, waterfront bars and one of Florida’s most recognizable lighthouses into one easy weekend getaway.
Friday
Friday: Check In + Explore the Coast
Start your weekend by checking into the Best Western Intracoastal Inn. This is where I stayed, and if you’re looking for something affordable and convenient rather than a fancy resort, it’s a great home base. It sits right on the Intracoastal, has access to Jupiter’s Riverwalk, and includes free parking and breakfast which is always a win when you’re trying to keep a weekend getaway somewhat budget-friendly.
Before heading to the beach, stop at The Fresh Market on E. Indiantown Road and grab an easy dinner, snacks and drinks to take with you. It’s close to the hotel and makes the perfect grab-and-go option when you’d rather spend your first night watching the ocean than sitting inside a restaurant.
Blowing Rocks Preserve + Coral Cove
Next, head north to Blowing Rocks Preserve, one of the coolest stretches of coastline in South Florida. The preserve is known for its Anastasia limestone formations along the shoreline, and when conditions are right, waves crash against the rocks and send water spraying into the air. Parking is free, but make sure you arrive early the preserve’s last entry is currently 4:15 p.m. and the parking lot closes at 4:30 p.m.
After exploring Blowing Rocks, head about a mile south to Coral Cove Park. The two are close enough that you can easily experience both in one afternoon. Parking at Jupiter-area public parks and along designated A1A areas is free, making this a great budget-friendly way to start your trip.
Stay at Coral Cove, eat your Fresh Market picnic and enjoy your first evening by the water.
Friday Night: Drinks on the Water
After the beach, head to U-Tiki Beach at Jupiter Inlet Marina. It’s an open-air waterfront restaurant overlooking the Jupiter Inlet with views toward the lighthouse, making it the perfect introduction to Jupiter’s tropical, on-the-water lifestyle.
If you want something even more laid-back, Guanabanas Restaurant is another fun option. It’s completely open-air with tiki huts, tropical landscaping, waterfront seating and live-music vibes. This place basically screams Florida vacation.
Saturday
Start Saturday morning with the free breakfast at your hotel before heading out for coffee.
My pick would be Subculture Coffee Jupiter in Harbourside Place. Grab an iced coffee or latte and enjoy a slow morning before things get a whole lot more adventurous.
Go Shark Diving in Jupiter
Now for the reason this weekend is going to be hard to top.
Head to Florida Shark Diving for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get into the open ocean with sharks. They offer both cage diving and freediving-style shark encounters, and you don’t need scuba certification for their snorkel-based trips. Trips leave from the marina behind U-Tiki, and the company currently lists several approximately three-hour departure windows throughout the day.
Jupiter is one of those places where you can spend the morning drinking coffee and a few hours later be swimming in the Atlantic with sharks and that is exactly my kind of vacation.
Get a Tattoo to Remember the Trip
Because apparently swimming with sharks wasn’t enough of a commitment to remembering the weekend , head over to Moth And Moon Tattoo afterward.
Whether you go with a tiny shark, wave, shell or something completely different, getting a small tattoo is such a fun way to permanently remember one of those I can’t believe I actually did that trips.
Saturday Night at Square Grouper
Finish Saturday at Square Grouper Tiki Bar Jupiter Inlet.
This is exactly where you want to be after a day on the water. Grab a drink, find a spot overlooking the Jupiter Inlet and watch the sky change over the lighthouse. Square Grouper is open-air, waterfront and known for its casual island atmosphere and live music. It’s one of those places where you sit down for one drink and suddenly realize you’ve been there for hours.
Sunday
Before heading home, squeeze in one more morning outside.
If you want an actual Florida state park, head south to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach. The park protects nearly two miles of coastline and offers swimming, snorkeling, shelling, nature trails and beautiful natural Florida scenery. It opens at 8 a.m., and admission is currently $5 per vehicle for two to eight people.
Then head back toward Jupiter for one last must-do: the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum.
Climb the 105 steps to the top for some of the best views of the Jupiter Inlet and surrounding coastline. As of 2026, regular lighthouse climbs are offered Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting, so Sunday works perfectly with this itinerary
Jupiter is the kind of Florida destination that gives you a little bit of everything without needing an entire week to experience it. You can explore rocky beaches, swim with sharks, drink cocktails under palm trees, watch the sunset over the inlet, get a spontaneous tattoo and climb a historic lighthouse all in one weekend.
Come for the beaches. Stay for the sharks. Leave already planning your next trip.
🌊 Find Your Current.
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