Things to Do in Hobe Sound and Jupiter Island
State park wilderness, a protected beach and limestone rocks on the Atlantic.
See top-rated activities »About Hobe Sound
Hobe Sound is a small, low-key community in the south of the county, and its appeal is the land around it that was never developed. Jonathan Dickinson State Park, one of the largest state parks in southeast Florida, covers pine flatwoods, scrub and the Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated wild and scenic river. Hikers can climb the observation tower on Hobe Mountain, an ancient sand dune, for a view to the coast, and paddlers with their own boats can follow the river upstream toward the old homestead of Trapper Nelson. The park’s concessions, including its river tour boat and rentals, have been unavailable since mid-2026, so check the park site for current services.
Across the Indian River Lagoon, the Town of Jupiter Island is one of the most exclusive residential communities in Florida, but its shoreline is surprisingly open to the public. The Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, renamed for conservationist Nathaniel P. Reed, protects a long stretch of undeveloped beach that is among the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the Southeast. Hobe Sound Beach, a county park nearby, has lifeguards and parking.
Farther south on the island, Blowing Rocks Preserve, owned by The Nature Conservancy, protects the largest outcrop of Anastasia limestone on Florida’s Atlantic coast. At high tide in rough weather, waves force water through holes in the rock and send spray high into the air. The preserve has posted storm-related closures in the past, so look at its page before driving out.
Back on the mainland, the Hobe Sound Nature Center sits at the refuge’s headquarters on U.S. 1, with live animal exhibits, a short trail and seasonal turtle walks. Bridge Road, the main street of old Hobe Sound, has a handful of shops and restaurants, and it hosts the town’s holiday parade each December.
Don’t Miss
River, scrub and pine forest with trails, camping and the Hobe Mountain tower; concessions were suspended in 2026, so check before you go.
Miles of undeveloped beach and one of the most productive sea turtle nesting sites in the Southeast.
A Nature Conservancy preserve on a limestone shoreline where surf can blast through the rock; check for closures first.
A free nonprofit center at the refuge headquarters with live animals and seasonal turtle walks.
A lifeguarded county beach park on Jupiter Island with parking and showers.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Hobe Sound
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Get free trip quotes »Hobe Sound — FAQ
Is Jupiter Island in Martin County?
The Town of Jupiter Island is in Martin County. The southern tip of the island, around Coral Cove Park and Tequesta, is in Palm Beach County, and the town of Jupiter itself is across the inlet in Palm Beach County.
When do the rocks at Blowing Rocks blow?
The spray is most dramatic at high tide when the surf is rough, often in winter after a cold front. On calm days the shoreline is still worth seeing for its tide pools and rock formations.
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