Blue Heron Bridge Snorkeling Trail – Phil Foster Park Florida
The Blue Heron Bridge snorkeling trail is one of the best places in West Palm Beach to go on an underwater journey. This site, which is also known as Phil Foster Park, is a family-friendly snorkel spot where you discover Florida’s vibrant marine life in relatively shallow waters. Besides seeing a variety of reef fish, rays and sometimes manatees, there is even a small wreck and some shark statues here. As we enjoyed snorkeling the Blue Heron Bridge a lot, we think you would too, so we share this article that summarizes the most important things to know about this experience.
Where Is The Blue Heron Bridge Snorkeling Trail?
The Blue Heron Bridge in Palm Beach Country connects Signer Island to the Florida mainland. On the small island under the bridge, in the Lake Worth Lagoon, there is a 15-acre beach park, the Phil Foster Park, which is a life-guarded beach with a fishing area and playground.
Some years ago, an underwater park (commonly known as the Blue Heron Bridge snorkeling trail or Phil Foster snorkel trail) was added to the park to make it attractive for divers and snorkelers. The installations (concrete blocks, statues and a shipwreck) create an artificial reef and attract various sea creatures to the area making it one of the best snorkel places in Florida.
To get to the Phil Foster snorkel trail, take the Blue Heron Blvd towards Singer Island and turn left at the park sign. Free parking is available as well as restrooms and outdoor showers. Also, there is a supermarket within walking distance.
How Does The Phil Foster Park Snorkel Trail Look Like?
The Blue Heron Bridge snorkeling trail is about 800 feet (240 m) long and runs about 200 feet (60 m) offshore. With easy access from a sandy beach, fantastic visibility and an average depth of 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m), it is a perfect place for shore snorkeling and shallow water diving.
The trail mimics a barrier reef including 6 concrete modules, 15 larger and several smaller rock piles along the shore. The small rocks provide shelter to tiny marine animals while as corals started to grow on the blocks, many different fish species settle down here.
Besides the artificial reef installation, you will also find other structures like a small shipwreck, shopping carts and even 3 hammerhead shark statues! The shark sculptures were donated to the Phil Foster snorkel trail by Tom McDonald artist in 2015.
You can see the location of the underwater objects as well as the recommended entry and exit points on the Blue Heron Bridge snorkeling map below!
Tip: if you are around, don’t miss out on visiting the nearby Peanut Island Park snorkeling lagoon!
Marine Life And Species To See
Although the Blue Heron Bridge snorkeling trail doesn’t offer such vibrant reefs as you can see for example on a John Pennekamp snorkel tour in Key Largo, but there is a lot more to see here than you might think!
Thanks to its geographical location, the Phil Foster Park became a resting place and breeding area for many marine species. The biodiversity is amazing; more than 300 species have been observed here from the giant Florida manatees to tiny worms and nudibranchs.
Most common fish species to see on a Blue Heron Bridge snorkeling trip:
If you are a keen observer, you might spot sea stars, seahorse, octopus, crabs, shrimps and lobster too. If all these would not be enough, stingrays, eagle rays and sometimes turtles also visit the trail!
What Is The Best Time Of The Day To Snorkel At Blue Heron Bridge?
Snorkeling at Phil Foster Park is possible all year round if the weather allows water activities. However, you need to know that the Blue Heron Bridge snorkel trail is a strictly high-tide spot! The incoming tide brings in fresh, clear ocean water making the visibility excellent and the reef lively. At low tide, due to limited visibility and strong tidal currents, water activities can be dangerous; therefore, entering the water at low tide is not recommended.
The best time for diving and snorkeling starts about 90 minutes before high tide and ends one hour after it. Before your visit, make sure to check the Blue Heron Bridge tide table so you can arrive just at the right time!
We experienced that weekends are very busy in West Palm Beach and so in Phil Foster Park too! Coming back on a weekday morning, there were considerably fewer people around making parking easy and snorkeling more comfortable. Therefore, we recommend scheduling your visit for a weekday if you can! Although you are free to visit this site on your own, if you are a newbie snorkeler and require guidance, you can join a guided tour.
In summer, the water is comfortably warm, so you only need a UV protection rash guard to avoid sunburn and prevent jellyfish stings. In winter, the best is to use a neoprene suit for snorkeling that keeps you warm.
Where To Stay?
Planning to snorkel at Blue Heron Bridge? Staying nearby makes everything easier. Check out the map below to find places to stay close to Phil Foster Park. From affordable hotels to cozy waterfront rentals, there’s something for every budget and travel style.
What To Bring?
The Phil Foster Park, like other Florida State Parks, is a well-maintained area that offers everything you need for a relaxing beach day. If you decide to take your family for a Blue Heron Bridge snorkeling tour, pack your usual beach essentials.
The nearby dive shop and Jupiter Outdoor Center offer gear and kayak rental and provides tanks for divers, but if you have, bring your own equipment for snorkeling! The diving/snorkeling area is protected with buoys where boats cannot enter. However, be aware that according to Florida law, carrying a surface marker/dive flag is mandatory. Although this rule originally applies to divers, since the diving/snorkel area lies next to a busy boat channel, carry one for your own safety.
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