Things to Do in Tequesta: River Parks, Nearby Beaches and Small-Village Weekends

Most things to do in Tequesta happen on or near the water. This small village sits at the north end of Palm Beach County, where the Loxahatchee River bends toward the Jupiter Inlet. Within a short drive you can paddle a wild river, swim at a guarded ocean beach, climb a lighthouse from 1860 or walk a rocky shoreline that sprays plumes into the air at high tide. This guide is for buyers and new residents who want to know what a normal weekend looks like here. It covers river parks, beaches, village events and casual dining nearby.

Key takeaways

• Coral Cove Park, a Palm Beach County park at 1600 Beach Road, has 600 feet of guarded beach and another 2,010 feet of unguarded beach to the south.
• The Loxahatchee River is a National Wild and Scenic River, a designation it received in 1985.
• Riverbend Park in Jupiter has about 5 miles of paddling trails, nearly 10 miles of hiking and biking trails and an on-site kayak rental concession.
• The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum is open for climbs Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island is free, with an optional $2 donation, and open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tequesta in a nutshell

Tequesta is a village of about 6,000 people with mostly older, established neighborhoods. Many homes sit on the river or on canals that lead to it. The village has its own recreation center and parks, while Jupiter, just to the south, supplies most of the larger shopping and dining. Martin County and Hobe Sound lie to the north.

Because the village is small, many of the best things to do are a few minutes outside its limits. That is part of the appeal. You get a quiet home base with the river, the inlet and the beaches close by. For a full look at daily life, read our guide on whether Tequesta is a good place to live.

River things to do in Tequesta

The Loxahatchee River shapes life here. In 1985, it became a National Wild and Scenic River, and its upper stretches wind through wooded swamp with tight bends. Closer to the village, the river widens into open water that leads to the inlet.

Paddling at Riverbend Park

Riverbend Park, at 9060 Indiantown Road in Jupiter, is the easiest place to paddle the wild part of the river. Palm Beach County runs the park, which covers about 645 acres. It has about 5 miles of waterways, nearly 10 miles of shell rock trails for hiking and biking and about 7 miles of horse trails. Jupiter Outdoor Center runs the rental concession, so you do not need your own kayak. The park is also home to the Loxahatchee Battlefield, a Second Seminole War site.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Just north of the village, Jonathan Dickinson State Park covers about 11,500 acres in Martin and Palm Beach counties, south of Hobe Sound. The river runs through it. Here you can hike, bike, camp, fish and paddle. You can also visit the Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District, the river homestead of a trapper who lived there from the early 1930s until 1968. The park also holds remnants of Camp Murphy, a World War II Army radar training base. A boat ramp near the River Campground gives boaters a place to launch.

Boat ramps near the village

If you trailer a boat, Burt Reynolds Park at 805 N. U.S. Highway 1 in Jupiter has ramps open 24 hours a day. Waterway Park on Indiantown Road has three concrete ramps with floating docks. Many Tequesta homes have private docks, too, which is a big reason boaters buy here.

Beach things to do in Tequesta

The village's closest ocean beach is Coral Cove Park. It has a Tequesta mailing address, but it is a county park on the barrier island east of the river, not a village park. Even so, it is the beach most residents call theirs.

Coral Cove Park

Coral Cove covers about 9.6 acres at 1600 Beach Road. It has 600 feet of guarded beach, plus 2,010 feet of unguarded beach to the south, reached by dune crossovers. On the west side, it fronts the Intracoastal, so you can fish there or watch boats. There are also picnic areas with grills, showers, restrooms and a playground for kids ages 5 to 12. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Note that balloons are not allowed, a rule the county set with Loggerhead Marinelife Center to protect sea turtles.

Blowing Rocks Preserve

A little farther north on the same island, Blowing Rocks Preserve is one of the most unusual beaches in Florida. The Nature Conservancy says it has the largest Anastasia limestone shoreline on the Atlantic coast. At high tide in rough seas, waves push saltwater plumes up to 50 feet into the air. On the lagoon side, a mangrove boardwalk and short trails wind through coastal habitat.

The preserve is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and entry is free, with an optional $2 donation per person. Parking is limited and often fills by late morning, so go early.

History and views at the Jupiter Inlet

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the river, a short drive south of the village. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum runs climbs and a history museum at 500 Captain Armour's Way. Climbs and site access run Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids must be at least 48 inches tall to climb, and children under 16 need an adult.

The grounds are part of a federal Outstanding Natural Area. There is also a pioneer homestead and other outdoor exhibits. As a result, it makes an easy half-day outing with visiting family.

Village things to do in Tequesta: parks and events

Inside Tequesta, community life centers on the recreation center at 399 Seabrook Road. The village uses an online system for program sign-ups, facility rentals and its recreation calendar.

Constitution Park and the event calendar

Constitution Park, behind the recreation center, is the village's main gathering spot. It hosts outdoor events through the year. Recent examples on the village calendar include an 80s Dance and Roller Jam in February 2026 and a concert in May marking America's 250th anniversary. Check the village calendar for what is coming up.

Remembrance Park

Remembrance Park, at 483 Seabrook Road, is a quiet, passive park. The village's plan for it called for a walking path, two picnic pavilions, a butterfly garden and educational signs. It is a nice spot for a slow walk.

Dining near Tequesta

Tequesta has a handful of casual spots, mostly along U.S. 1 and Tequesta Drive. For more choice, residents head a few minutes south into Jupiter. Two waterfront spots near the inlet are local favorites:

• Guanabanas, at 960 N. Highway A1A in Jupiter, sits on the Loxahatchee River. It opened in 2004 as a sandwich shop run by local surfers and grew into a large open-air restaurant.
• Square Grouper, at 1111 Love Street in Jupiter, is a tiki bar at Castaways Marina with live music and lighthouse views. It is 21 and over only, so it is a grown-ups' night out.

Hours and policies change, so check before you go. If you plan to arrive by boat, our guide to boating communities in Palm Beach County explains inlet access and bridges in this area.

A sample weekend of things to do in Tequesta

Here is how a relaxed weekend might look for a new resident:

• Saturday morning: Rent a kayak at Riverbend Park and paddle the wild, wooded stretch of the river.
• Saturday afternoon: Swim at Coral Cove Park, then fish from the Intracoastal side.
• Saturday evening: Dinner on the river in Jupiter.
• Sunday morning: Walk Blowing Rocks Preserve before the lot fills.
• Sunday afternoon: Climb the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, then check the village calendar for an event at Constitution Park.

Living close to things to do in Tequesta

Tequesta is small, and homes for sale are scarce. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the village had just 98 active residential listings, with a median list price of $700,000. That is a small sample that mixes condos, townhouses and houses, so a riverfront home with ocean access will usually cost much more. You can see current listings on our Tequesta page.

When you tour, think about which activities matter most to you. A home on the east side puts you closer to Coral Cove and the inlet. A home near the river gives you a dock and easy paddling. Either way, Jupiter's stores and restaurants are close. Also, ask the seller how often they use the nearby parks. Owners usually know which beach lot fills first and which ramp has the shortest wait.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Tequesta?

Most people start with the water. Paddle the Loxahatchee at Riverbend Park, swim at Coral Cove Park, visit Blowing Rocks Preserve and climb the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.

Is Coral Cove Park in Tequesta?

It has a Tequesta mailing address, but it is a Palm Beach County park on the barrier island rather than a village park. Lifeguards cover a 600-foot stretch.

Where can I rent a kayak near Tequesta?

Riverbend Park in Jupiter has a rental concession run by Jupiter Outdoor Center, with about 5 miles of paddling trails on the Loxahatchee River.

Are there family things to do in Tequesta?

Yes. Coral Cove has a playground and a guarded beach, the lighthouse welcomes kids at least 48 inches tall, and the village hosts events at Constitution Park.

Sources

• Palm Beach County Parks, Coral Cove Park
• Palm Beach County Parks, Riverbend Park
• Florida DEP, Jonathan Dickinson State Park unit management plan (2012)
• National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Loxahatchee River
• Town of Jupiter, boating and ramps
• The Nature Conservancy, Blowing Rocks Preserve
• Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, hours and directions
• Village of Tequesta, Parks and Recreation
• Village of Tequesta, Parks Master Plan
• Village of Tequesta, community calendar
• Guanabanas
• Square Grouper Tiki Bar

Own a home in Tequesta? With so few listings in the village, buyers notice every new one. See what yours could sell for with a free home valuation. Want to live near the river and the beach? Book a neighborhood tour for Tequesta and we will show you the streets, docks and parks that fit your plans. Contact our team.