6 Secret Islands to Visit Near Palmetto, FL Riviera Dunes Marina Blog

6 Secret Islands to Visit Near Palmetto, FL

Looking for a quick weekend getaway or a new destination for your family’s next vacation? Look no further than these six secret islands for your next adventure!

All six of these secret islands are within three hours of Palmetto, FL, so you can choose to take a quick day trip or opt for a longer weekend or week-long stay.

1. Gasparilla Island

Embrace the slower Gasparilla Island lifestyle via golf cart, like a true local. Enjoy shelling, swimming and even snorkeling here. Take a visit to the restored Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, and bring your picnic lunch for a bite in the scenic Gasparilla Island State Park.

2. Jupiter Island

Stretching less than 4 miles, Jupiter Island is a private barrier island home to celebrities including Tiger Woods and Celine Dion. Lounge on the island’s beautiful white beaches or go for a stroll through the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge where you just might meet a loggerhead sea turtle.

3. Merritt Island

Though not as “secret” per se, birders will enjoy a getaway here as they traverse the thousands of acres at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge also hosts Beginner Birder Tours that you do not want to miss! You’ll also enjoy an interactive afternoon at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and may even get to witness a rocket take off!

4. Cedar Key

If there were two words to describe Cedar Key, they would be ‘calm’ and ‘clams.’ Venture through the National Wildlife Refuge by kayak or cast a line at the local pier, but whatever you do, don’t leave without a bowl of their local clam chowder.

5. Pine Island

Cruise into Pine Island for optimal relaxation and a getaway immersed in art and local culture. Spend the day at the 300-foot-long fishing pier, peruse local art galleries, and dine at the freshest seafood spots. If you choose to stay overnight, you’ll find plenty of charming hotels and cottages with beautiful views of the water.

6. Cabbage Key

For a truly secluded and hidden getaway, enter a nature lover’s paradise at Cabbage Key in Pineland. Panoramic views of the sound and nature trails await you as you exit the ferry. That’s right, the island is only accessible by boat.

Next: Free Fun in Sarasota and Bradenton