Phil Foster Park
Phil Foster Park
4.4
About
AMENITIES beach frontage, guarded saltwater fishing not permitted in guarded swimming area boating improvements boat docks boat launching ramps (4) Boat Trailer Parking Permit Required ($10 daily permit available on site) concession: dive boat charter rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear) SCUBA shop fishing (saltwater) fishing platforms (2) intracoastal waterway frontage(1000 feet) non-motorized vessel launching beach parking boat/trailer parking regular parking picnic area with grills, single table picnic shelters, family (4) pier (fishing) playground, including playground safety play structure(ages 2-5 years) play structure (ages 5-12 years) restroom facilities showers, outdoor snorkeling staging dock
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.4
222 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
62
Average
21
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Mike G
Los Angeles, CA7 contributions
Jul 2022
Love the Blue heron Bridge dive but you need to get there early as parking fills up on weekends. I came one time around 6AM and got parking but came around noon another time and could not get a space and it doesn't appear that there is any parking outside or near the park if you can't get a spot inside. maybe i misssed it.
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pthomas156
Newport, RI1,504 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
I’m rating this a 5 because sometimes you want to snorkel without driving to the Keys. Especially if you annually meet a friend at Singer Island as I do. We had heard for a while that there was good snorkeling under the Blue Heron Bridge leading to Singer from the Phil Foster Park. Finally this year we got to do it!
The Marriot Vacation Club (or whatever it’s called) where my friend stays had a water sports shack on the beach. There we arranged for a fellow named Peter to meet us at the park’s beachfront for a snorkel tour. You can simply park, walk in and snorkel but the advantage of a guide is that he knows exactly where the rocks and the artificial reefs are that attract the fish. You could just swim around and find them yourself (especially when you’ve done it once).
The day before we had tried on masks and fins at peters shack at the Marriott and he was easy to find the next morning about 9:30 in the park’s beachfront off the parking lot. Lots of divers were finishing up their diving courses. We hear it fills up quickly on the weekends but on this weekday there was plenty of space. Peter told us that there’s a current that you need to swim through right at the beginning and he gave us a noodle which he said would help us negotiate it. The current brings in a lot of fish but it also requires some pretty good swimming. Peter said he has taken out kids as young as 5 tho.
Once out there we saw lots of different fish, a small stingray and a fish that even Peter had never seen before: a sea robin. It was walking on skinny legs on the sea bottom and it had accordion wings. We were out there about an hour or more.
All in all it was an excellent experience and we were glad we finally got to do it.
The Marriot Vacation Club (or whatever it’s called) where my friend stays had a water sports shack on the beach. There we arranged for a fellow named Peter to meet us at the park’s beachfront for a snorkel tour. You can simply park, walk in and snorkel but the advantage of a guide is that he knows exactly where the rocks and the artificial reefs are that attract the fish. You could just swim around and find them yourself (especially when you’ve done it once).
The day before we had tried on masks and fins at peters shack at the Marriott and he was easy to find the next morning about 9:30 in the park’s beachfront off the parking lot. Lots of divers were finishing up their diving courses. We hear it fills up quickly on the weekends but on this weekday there was plenty of space. Peter told us that there’s a current that you need to swim through right at the beginning and he gave us a noodle which he said would help us negotiate it. The current brings in a lot of fish but it also requires some pretty good swimming. Peter said he has taken out kids as young as 5 tho.
Once out there we saw lots of different fish, a small stingray and a fish that even Peter had never seen before: a sea robin. It was walking on skinny legs on the sea bottom and it had accordion wings. We were out there about an hour or more.
All in all it was an excellent experience and we were glad we finally got to do it.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Einomrah 1
131 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I’m not typically someone who can spend an entire day at the beach, but it was so amazing I spent 2 in a row. The park is under the overpass and it’s actually very clever. There’s no need to worry about an umbrella because the shade is already provided, although there is a part of the beach where it’s full sun. I loved the cool breeze while under the bridge. The sand is cool & it’s a very clean park. The sunny portion of the beach has a lot more seashells. In both areas I saw barracuda and other colorful fish. I was also lucky enough to swim with a majestic stingray on the 2nd day in the afternoon. I never had a problem parking and it’s free! The bathrooms were a bit smelly, but overall were okay. 1 thing to know is around 2pm the tide starts coming in & the water can get murky, but the biggest thing to know is there is a strong current, so if you’re not a great swimmer it can be a challenge. There are lifeguards on the beach, but they only monitor the portions under the bridge and not down the beach where it’s full sun. I highly recommend spending some time here, especially if you love snorkeling.
Written 20 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy G
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
Dad‘s, steal yourself For the rudest park ranger you might ever encounter. He should be terminated from his position immediately. After a great deal of planning and investigation I took a group of 16 from my Royal Ranger scouting program for a day of fun and snorkeling. Florida weather and the marine life that lived around the artificial reefs installed by the Boy Scouts, did not disappoint. Sea turtles, eels, several species of stingrays, and thousands of fish gave the boys an adventure they won’t soon forget.
Many online posts quipped about the number of signs posted around the park. The signs included: no alcohol, no loud music, no fishing in the swimming area, no jumping or diving from the bridge, no slurp guns, and don’t touch any of the marine life.
Minutes after pulling into the parking lot, the park ranger took one look at our church Royal Ranger 15 passenger vehicle and told us we would not be allowed to park anywhere and would be ticketed if we try. I explained to him that an hour earlier we were in a normal parking lot at a McDonald’s , just fine. We pulled in right next to one of the dive shop vans of equal size and length. Throughout the day we saw dozens of young people, jumping from the bridge on top of numerous scuba divers, a man holding an empty bottle of tequila staggered around the lifeguard station and was later waste deep in water wearing his shorts over his head. 30 to 40% of the patrons were drinking bottles of liquor, and playing loud music with profane language that could be heard throughout the stretch of property. Why the Park ranger, who clearly was incompetent at his job and unable to enforce any of the standards decided to chide me, when I pulled in, I’ll never know.
The boys had a great adventure and we worked around these issues, but it’s a shame that this million dollar stretch of property can’t be maintained at a level that meets their own own posted standard.
I highly recommend the snorkeling area, but I have to caution, families that are looking for a family environment to adventure in.
Many online posts quipped about the number of signs posted around the park. The signs included: no alcohol, no loud music, no fishing in the swimming area, no jumping or diving from the bridge, no slurp guns, and don’t touch any of the marine life.
Minutes after pulling into the parking lot, the park ranger took one look at our church Royal Ranger 15 passenger vehicle and told us we would not be allowed to park anywhere and would be ticketed if we try. I explained to him that an hour earlier we were in a normal parking lot at a McDonald’s , just fine. We pulled in right next to one of the dive shop vans of equal size and length. Throughout the day we saw dozens of young people, jumping from the bridge on top of numerous scuba divers, a man holding an empty bottle of tequila staggered around the lifeguard station and was later waste deep in water wearing his shorts over his head. 30 to 40% of the patrons were drinking bottles of liquor, and playing loud music with profane language that could be heard throughout the stretch of property. Why the Park ranger, who clearly was incompetent at his job and unable to enforce any of the standards decided to chide me, when I pulled in, I’ll never know.
The boys had a great adventure and we worked around these issues, but it’s a shame that this million dollar stretch of property can’t be maintained at a level that meets their own own posted standard.
I highly recommend the snorkeling area, but I have to caution, families that are looking for a family environment to adventure in.
Written 20 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
crabapple58
Avon, CT200 contributions
Aug 2022
Easy access shore diving. Tide dependent, check your tables.
If you study the map carefully and do not want to hire a guide, an experienced diver can do this easily. I suggest 3 days to cover the east, west, and snorkel trail grasses.
Most of the east is juvenile species and lots of little stuff on the boulders, sunken artificial reefs, and old bridge pylons. BRING A LIGHT !!! against the pylons is so much life but a light will help you find the critters. The variety of what one sees is remarkable. The north west approach towards the fishing pier is very different than the east. We spent 90 minutes exploring each pylon, there are markers and a flat wooden wall so you avoid swimming into the boat channel. But study what you are doing before entry. Buoyancy at 0-20 feet is challenging so bring extra weight. AND a dive flag is a must !!! Early arrival to get a parking spot, keep an eye on your belongings, there are frequent patrols, but it is a free park with toilet facilities and showers.
If you study the map carefully and do not want to hire a guide, an experienced diver can do this easily. I suggest 3 days to cover the east, west, and snorkel trail grasses.
Most of the east is juvenile species and lots of little stuff on the boulders, sunken artificial reefs, and old bridge pylons. BRING A LIGHT !!! against the pylons is so much life but a light will help you find the critters. The variety of what one sees is remarkable. The north west approach towards the fishing pier is very different than the east. We spent 90 minutes exploring each pylon, there are markers and a flat wooden wall so you avoid swimming into the boat channel. But study what you are doing before entry. Buoyancy at 0-20 feet is challenging so bring extra weight. AND a dive flag is a must !!! Early arrival to get a parking spot, keep an eye on your belongings, there are frequent patrols, but it is a free park with toilet facilities and showers.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy Y
Oak Hill, VA444 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Went here for a quick snorkel, tried to get it in before a storm hit. Like I said, a storm was brewing, but even so, you could see some fish. I’m guessing if it had been sunny, we’d have seen much more. Would be great for little kids. You park, walk 20 yards & you’re in the water.
Written 17 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy R
Jupiter, FL1 contribution
Apr 2022
Snorkeling under this bridge is a must do when visiting the Palm beach area. Plan to go an hour before high tide to get the best conditions. Parking can fill up quick on busy weekends or holidays, so arrive early. Our family enjoyed a seahorse, an octopus, rays, tropical fish and a sea turtle.
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil S
Douglasville, GA14 contributions
May 2020 • Family
Walked around the park gathering information about the Snorkel Trail in anticipation of Scuba Diving it Friday morning. There was a lot of activity with people playing in the park and swimming in the swim area. Was able to scuba Dive due Thunderstorm blew in, but have a good idea of what to look forward to in the near future.
Written 23 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rickh57
Woodburn, OR404 contributions
Aug 2020
My wife and I went snorkeling on the snorkel trail at Phil Foster. The water was so clear! There were so many colorful fish to look at and photograph.
Check the tide tables; this location is best from 1 hour before high tide until 1 hour after that occurs.
If you like to snorkel and you are anywhere close to this park, visit it!
Check the tide tables; this location is best from 1 hour before high tide until 1 hour after that occurs.
If you like to snorkel and you are anywhere close to this park, visit it!
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flipflop650
Taylorsville, KY91 contributions
Dec 2020
Safe, clean, with nice facilities! We fished off the bridge and pier. Saw lots of families with small children using the beach for swimming. There are restrooms, playground, and a fish cleaning station. Saw snorkelers and divers too. You can launch a kayak or boat. No entrance fees. We loved this little gem of a park!
Written 30 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is a restroom in the northwest corner of the parking lot
Written 17 October 2022
I have read that parking can be an issue depending on time of day, but my question is in regards to our vehicle. Is there enough space to accommodate a 25' rv?
Written 27 August 2019
You may be able to park in the bus parking spots.
Written 28 August 2019
Se puede pagar cuando uno lleva un bote para el parqueo de la trailer en el momento o tiene que ser anual
Written 22 September 2018
No, not allowed in beach nor fishing bridges. But you can walk them around the park and parking areas over looking water ... my golden loves being there !
Written 2 January 2019
Yes, there are public restrooms in he park.
Written 16 July 2018
Are there showers to use after snorkeling or diving?
Written 4 February 2018
Yes, there are two outdoor showers to rinse off yourself and your gear. Instead of being located by the bathrooms, they are by the sidewalk to the left of the playground if you were headed toward the water.
Written 5 February 2018
Is there an admission fee to enter Phil Foster Park??? Can we launch our own jet ski there and ski over to Peanut Island??? Please let me know if YOU know! Thanks Much!
Written 23 May 2017
The park is free. I believe there is a fee for parking if you have a trailer for a boats etc. To park just a car it's free. Not sure about the boat launch.
Written 24 May 2017
Huntersantana
West Palm Beach, Florida
Can I overnight park with out a boat or trailer, I'm launching a kyak to camp at peanut island?
Written 11 April 2017
I am concerned about afternoon parking availability for my snorkeling trip. High tide is around 1:30pm and I am coming all the way up from Miami and don't want to face a lack of parking as no alternative parking nearby seems available. Do you know how many parking spots are available and is there overflow parking nearby?
Written 16 March 2017
I live across the street. There are more than 100. Worst comes to worst there is a Bank of America 100 yards away that everyone parks at and walks. Monday thru Friday no issues.
Written 16 March 2017
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