Jupiter Harbor

Marinas near Jupiter Harbor

Introduction:

Located around Mile 1005 on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Jupiter is seemingly always busy with boating traffic passing among the beautiful homes and condominiums with finely manicured lawns and large-scale marine facilities that can undertake most any repair for even the largest of yachts.

With its mix of Atlantic beaches, river scenery, shopping, dining and warm winter weather, Jupiter is a very popular stopover point for many yachtsmen.

History:

The earliest known records of the Jupiter Inlet date to 1565. When Spanish explorers first arrived in this area, they found the Jega Indians living along the banks of the inlet and Loxahatchee River. The Indians called themselves the Jobe, so the visitors named the river running into the inlet the Jobe River, after the tribe. When English settlers found the area around 1763, Jobe sounded to them like the mythological god Jove, or Jupiter, and the name Jupiter remains today.

In the 1800s Jupiter's most identifiable landmark, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, was erected. The lighthouse stands 108 feet tall with 105 steps to climb. The land that is now Lighthouse Park was once a part of Fort Jupiter, a military installation that was formed during the Seminole Indian Wars. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse was renovated in 2000 and painted its original brick-red color.

[i]Information courtesy Jupiter Chamber of Commerce.[/i]

Navigating the Water:

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 11472.

The twisting passage from Jupiter Sound, through the Loxahatchee River, and then on to Lake Worth Creek is twisting and turning, but well marked and normally free from any major shoaling.

Three drawbridges stand between you and your passage through the Jupiter area, and all have restricted opening schedules. From north to south, you will encounter the Jupiter Route 707 Bascule Bridge (25-foot closed vertical clearance) across the south side of Jupiter Sound, the Jupiter Federal Highway Bascule Bridge (26-foot closed vertical clearance) in the Loxahatchee River and the Indiantown Road Bascule Bridge (35-foot closed vertical clearance) on the Intracoastal Waterway and the beginning of Lake Worth Creek. Be sure to check all opening schedules before transiting the area.

The Jupiter Inlet is constantly shoaling and local knowledge is recommended before attempting to travel the inlet. An easterly breeze, accompanied by an ebb tide, almost always produces dangerous and impassable conditions. If the weather is bad, and you are arriving from offshore, Lake Worth Inlet, some 15 miles south is a far more reliable inlet.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Things To Do/Local Events:

With hundreds of miles of water-lined shore, you can explore beaches, rivers, Intracoastal waterfront or linger along 45 miles of immaculate Atlantic beaches in the Jupiter area.

For those with a penchant for the outdoors and wild life exploration, Jonathan Dickson State Park has over 10,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness teaming with reptiles, fish and bird life. Sea turtles come ashore May through August to lay their eggs.

If Gucci, Prada and designer fashions are more your style, within a few minutes drive, you'll find a wide variety of shopping opportunities, from quaint shops, specialty stores and boutiques, to four regional malls measuring more than 1 million square feet.

See the “Helpful Links” section at the bottom of this page for more detailed information.

Transportation:

Palm Beach International and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airports serve the Juipter area, and both had regularly scheduled national jet service as well as private charter service available. Shuttle service, along with taxi and limo service are available by contacting either airport prior to your departure.

Several taxicab companies serve Jupiter for longer distance travel, but many boaters find many areas are accessible by bicycle from most of the marine facilities.

Helpful Links:

Town of Jupiter

Jupiter Chamber of Commerce

Jupiter Calendar of Events

Palm Beach International Airport

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport