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• Boat Dock
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BOAT DOCK

Florida boating laws

Q. Can I use the Boat Dock?

A. Yes. The slips on the Boat Dock are available without charge during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) on a first come, first served basis. After dark, however, only campers in the reserved campground may keep their boats at the dock. Day visitors are welcome to stay in the park and continue to enjoy their activities by moving their boats to the beach or anchoring out and coming ashore.

Q. I know it is after dark but my family just started cooking at the picnic table - some of them are going to eat on the boat. I'll only be another hour. What can I do?

A. Please plan your activities to help us with the Boat Dock. There are only a limited number of slips available. Exclusive use of the Boat Dock after sunset is one of the benefits reserved for the enjoyment of our registered campers.

Q. I'll be glad to pay you for a slip or register as a camper just so I can use the dock. I have a nice boat and I want to sleep on it - not in a tent.

A. The park does not rent slips. Slips are provided as a benefit to campers who are staying with us in the campground. There are several very nice marinas surrounding Peanut Island that can provide slips for transients. Boaters are always welcome to anchor out or beach their boats and come ashore as they have traditionally since the island was created.

Q. I want to pull my boat up on the beach for a few hours and then anchor out for the night. Where can I do that?

A. Boaters can beach their boats or anchor out around the park anywhere except between the Boat Dock and the Fishing Pier. The northern and western beaches and picnic areas are open twenty-four hours a day. If you anchor out or beach your boat on the east beach and campground area, please respect quiet time for campers beginning at 11:00 pm.

Q. I have a big boat that just won't fit in a slip but it will fit just fine on the end of the dock. Why can't I tie up there?

A. The end of the Boat Dock (the "T" and floating dock) is a temporary (10 minute limit) loading and unloading zone for everyone's convenience. It is also used by enforcement vessels and park boats for official business and must remain available at all times. If your boat is too large for the dock, please anchor out and come ashore with your dinghy like larger vessels have traditionally done over the years.

Q. Why can't I fish at the boat docks, lagoon, or tidal basins?

A. For everyone's safety, please do not fish or throw cast nets at the boat docks, lagoon, or tidal basins. The dock can be a very busy place as visitors come and go. Most are barefooted. Dead fish, old bait, discarded fishing line and hooks can be a problem. For everyone's safety, the park asks that visitors fish and use their cast nets only from the Fishing Pier or the shore (where appropriate).

FISHING PIER

Q. What are the hours or operation for the Fishing Pier?

A. The Fishing Pier is open to the public twenty-four hours a day.

Q. Do I need a Florida Fishing License to fish from the Fishing Pier?

A. No. Florida residents fishing from the Peanut Island Fishing Pier do not need a license.

Q. Can I fish around the Fishing Pier from my boat?

A. A license is generally required while fishing from a boat in Florida. Also, county ordinances regulate how close you may approach a public fishing pier in a boat. If you fish around the Peanut Island Fishing Pier from your boat, please be considerate of those using the pier from land and check for your individual license requirements with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

CAMPGROUND

Q. Do you rent tents and camping equipment on the island?

A. There is nothing for rent or sale on the island. The only charges are for rental of overnight campsites. Please bring everything you will need - tent, food, beverages - with you when you come.

Q. Can I rent a campsite just for the day?

A. Campsites are not rented for day use. The fenced campground and its pavilion are for the exclusive use of our overnight, registered campers only. Day visitors may use any of several pavilions or chiki huts located around the island or any of the many picnic tables located throughout the public areas of the park on a first come, first serve basis.

Q. I just want to use a picnic table in the campground. I'll gladly pay one night's rental fee. Why can't I use it?

A. Use of the park's limited resources is carefully divided to provide a variety of recreational opportunities for everyone, including those who want to stay for the day and those who want to camp overnight. There are only twenty reserved campsites on the island. Please leave the campsites for the campers and enjoy your picnic on one of the many tables and grills provided throughout the park for your visit.

Q. I want to have a small party in the campground pavilion so I am going to rent a campsite and me and my guests can use the pavilion for our party. Is that OK?

A. Campsites are limited to six occupants for the night. Campers are permitted to entertain up to six additional guests until quiet time starts at 11 pm. The campground pavilion is shared by all twenty campsites. No one group is permitted to use the pavilion to the exclusion of their neighbors.

Q. I had a great time camping. How soon can I come back for another camping trip?

A. Campers can stay once every sixty days. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance and are strongly recommended.

PUBLIC PICNIC AREAS AND PAVILIONS

Q. I am having a big party with kegs of beer and live music. Is that OK?

A. Kegs and live music are not permitted on the island.

Q. Can I set a tent up on the grass or the beach?

A. Tents are only permitted in designated areas; however, you are welcome to put up a beach umbrella, a commercially manufactured temporary shade structure, or commercially manufactured canvas cabana on the beach and in picnic areas.

Q. Can I reserve a pavilion?

A. All pavilions and picnic tables are available on a first come, first served basis from sunrise to sunset.

Q. When is the fire started in the Fire Ring?

A. The fire is started after dark during periods of good weather at the discretion of the Park Supervisor.

NATURAL AREAS BEACH CAMPING

Q. Is natural areas beach camping available?

A. Natural areas beach camping is available in designated areas on the west side of the island. Please stop at the office to get information and sign in before you set up. Natural areas beach camping is available on a space available, first come, first served basis.

Q. The natural areas beach camping area looks beautiful. What do I need to know about the vegetation and the flushing channels to help keep it looking nice?

A. The natural areas beach camping area was restored to its natural beauty recently by the park's designers and environmentalists. All of the exotic plants were removed and the natural vegetation - mangrove trees, seagrapes, grasses - are flourishing. All plants and animals, including marine plants and animals, are protected by special regulations from the county, state, and federal governments. Please help the island's environment thrive by exercising care when setting up your campsite.

Q. Where can I set up my tent?

A. On the sandy beach areas that have been designated for camping. Please ask the staff where you may put tent.

Q. Can I keep my boat on the floating docks while I camp in the natural areas beach camping area?

A. The floating docks are only for day use, sunrise to sunset, first come, first served. You may keep your boat anchored in front of your campsite. Please don't tie it to the trees or plants or create a tripping hazard for others with your anchor line.

Q. There are so many fish in the channels and around the floating docks. I even saw some manatees. Is it OK to fish off the docks or in the channels?

A. Please help protect this very unique estuarine habitat by not fishing or throwing cast nets from the dock or in the channels. An important part of creating a beautiful park and enhancing the environment around it is protecting those plants and animals that use the park. Just like the visitors that come to camp and enjoy the park and its surroundings, so to are the marine animals attracted. We want to do everything we can to coexist in harmony with the island and all of its visitors - above and below the water.

Q. How long can I stay in the natural areas beach camping area?

A. There is a three night maximum.

Q. Are there any facilities available in the natural areas beach camping area?

A. There are bathrooms, an outdoor "bathing suit" shower, and a pavilion with tables and grills available for natural areas beach campers.

SNORKELING LAGOON

Q. Are glass bottles OK in the lagoon area?

A. The lifeguards ask that you not bring any glass containers into the lagoon area for safety reasons. There are trash containers located at the entrances to the lagoon for your convenience.

Q. Are the chiki huts available for anyone to use?

A. Like all of the picnic facilities in the park, the chiki huts are available on a first come, first served basis from sunrise to sunset.

Q. Can I use my own small, portable grill under the chiki to cook?

A. For everyone's safety, please use only the grills provided for you by the park.

Q. I am not as physically able as I used to be but I still enjoy swimming. How can I get into the water at the lagoon?

A. The natural sandy shoreline slopes gently down to shallow water for everyone to enjoy. Access to deeper water is available from swim platforms and ladders located off the pathway that goes across the middle of the lagoon.

Q. Can I really see manatees in the lagoon?

A. It depends on the time of year and temperature of the water. Manatees can be seen year round but during winter, manatees are a common site in the lagoon. Just remember not to do anything that alters there natural behavior, if you see one. Please don't feed them, chase them, or frighten them in any way. They like the warmer waters of the lagoon and are a thrill for everyone to see.

Q. Can I see the manatees and other marine life without getting in the water?

A. There is an observation walkway along the outside of the lagoon that provides an excellent viewing platform for marine like of all kinds. Please remember not to fish or throw cast nets from the observation walkway for you safety and so that the fish and other critters will be there for everyone to see next time.