The Beach & Lifeguards
Beyond the reef, Red Reef has a broad Atlantic beach backed by sea oats and dunes, with lifeguards on duty during the day and a set of city rules that keep it quieter than many South Florida beaches.
What's here
- An Atlantic beach backed by dunes.
- Lifeguards, generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., later in daylight saving time.
- Restrooms, drinking fountains and benches.
- An accessible boardwalk with ocean views.
Good to know
Alcohol, pets, smoking, Styrofoam, drones, balloons, confetti, camping and fires aren't allowed in Boca Raton beach parks. Don't feed the wildlife. Lifeguard hours are listed as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until 6:30 p.m. in daylight saving time.
Swimming
Swim in front of the lifeguard tower and watch the warning flags: green for low hazard, yellow for medium, red for high surf or strong currents, and purple for dangerous marine life such as jellyfish or man-o'-war. If you're caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you're out of it, then head in.
Beach rules
Boca Raton keeps its beach parks family-friendly. Alcohol isn't permitted in any city park, and pets, smoking, Styrofoam, drones, balloons, confetti, camping and fires are prohibited. Grills are allowed only in the picnic areas. Don't feed birds or other wildlife.
Sea turtle nesting
From March 1 to October 31, sea turtles nest on Boca Raton's beaches, including Red Reef. Leave marked nests alone, fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before you leave, and take all your gear home, since hatchlings can get trapped. See the Sea Turtles & Gumbo Limbo page for guided turtle walks.
Tips
Arrive early on weekends: the lot has 230 spaces and fills on hot days. Bring shade, water and reef-safe sunscreen.
See the rest of the park
The Beach is one of 6 featured areas at Red Reef Park.