By Jennifer Kilpatrick
Highland Beach doesn't announce itself. There are no traffic lights, no retail strips, no tourist infrastructure to speak of — just 2.8 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline tucked between Delray Beach and Boca Raton, home to fewer than 3,500 full-time residents. That restraint is exactly the point. The hidden gems in Highland Beach aren't difficult to find — they're simply overlooked by people who pass through without stopping. Here's what residents know that visitors miss.
Key Takeaways
- Highland Beach's most distinctive qualities are the ones that aren't on any list — the quiet, the privacy, and the access to natural beauty that larger coastal towns can't replicate.
- Its position between Delray Beach and Boca Raton gives residents the rare combination of genuine seclusion and easy access to two vibrant cultural and dining corridors.
- The natural environment here — sea turtles, Intracoastal water views, and subtropical coastal habitat — is remarkable and largely uninterrupted.
- Understanding what makes Highland Beach special is part of understanding why people choose to live here and rarely leave.
The Sea Turtle Beaches
From May through October, Highland Beach's beaches become one of the most significant sea turtle nesting grounds on Florida's Atlantic coast. Loggerhead, green, leatherback, Kemp's ridley, and hawksbill turtles all nest along this stretch of shore — and on the right evening, watching hatchlings make their way to the moonlit water is one of the most extraordinary natural experiences South Florida offers.
What to Know About Highland Beach's Sea Turtle Season
- Nesting season runs May 1 through October 31, with hatching typically occurring 60 days after nests are laid
- The town's lack of commercial development and limited light pollution makes it one of the most turtle-friendly stretches of beach in Palm Beach County
- Organized sea turtle walks are available through the town and nearby nature organizations during peak season for those who want a guided experience
- Residents are asked to keep beaches dark and clear of furniture during nesting season — a small ask that protects something genuinely irreplaceable
This is Highland Beach at its most distinctive — a natural phenomenon happening in the backyard of one of South Florida's most private communities.
The A1A Coastal Drive
The stretch of A1A that runs through Highland Beach is one of the most beautiful short drives in South Florida, and almost no one talks about it. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west, the road passes through a narrow corridor of sea grapes, plumeria, and hibiscus that gives it a Bermuda-like character unlike anything in the surrounding cities.
Why This Drive Is Worth Slowing Down For
- The roughly three-mile stretch offers simultaneous ocean and Intracoastal views in both directions — rare on Florida's east coast
- No traffic lights, no commercial signage, and almost no pedestrian crowds make it feel like a private road even at peak season
- The sunrise from the east-facing beach access points is exceptional — residents who make it a morning ritual rarely stop
- The drive connects seamlessly north into Delray Beach's Atlantic Avenue corridor and south into Boca Raton, making it the most scenic commute in Palm Beach County
The A1A drive through Highland Beach is one of those things residents mention when explaining why they never want to leave.
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
About a mile and a half south of Highland Beach along A1A, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center sits inside a 20-acre coastal hammock in Boca Raton and offers one of the most accessible and genuinely interesting nature experiences in the region. It's free to visit, easy to reach, and regularly overlooked by residents who haven't wandered south on a weekend afternoon.
What Makes Gumbo Limbo Worth the Short Drive
- A 40-foot observation tower at Jacob's Outlook provides elevated views of the coastal hammock and ocean that give real perspective on the landscape
- ADA-accessible boardwalk trails wind through a tropical hardwood environment that feels significantly more remote than its location suggests
- An active sea turtle rehabilitation program on-site where injured turtles are treated and returned to the ocean — a direct connection to Highland Beach's own nesting beaches
- Free admission and ample parking make it an easy addition to any morning or afternoon without planning
Gumbo Limbo is the kind of place Highland Beach residents bring every out-of-town guest — and then wonder why they don't visit more themselves.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Fifteen minutes west on Yamato Road, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is one of the most genuinely surprising cultural institutions in South Florida — a world-class Japanese garden and museum born from the story of the Yamato Colony, a group of Japanese farmers who settled in Boca Raton in the early 1900s. The last surviving colonist, George Morikami, donated his land to Palm Beach County, and the result is something completely unexpected in this landscape.
Why the Morikami Is a True Hidden Gem
- Six distinct Japanese garden styles spread across the grounds, from dry rock gardens to a bonsai collection and a recreated shinden-style ancient garden
- A museum with permanent and rotating exhibitions covering Japanese art, culture, and the history of the Yamato Colony specifically
- The Cornell Café inside the museum serves an acclaimed Japanese-inspired lunch menu that draws its own following independently of the gardens
- The setting feels entirely removed from South Florida's coastal character — an immersive counterpoint that makes it all the more worthwhile
The Morikami is the kind of place that becomes a recurring destination for residents rather than a one-time visit.
FAQs
Is Highland Beach worth visiting if you're not staying there?
Absolutely — particularly for the A1A drive, the beach access, and the proximity to Gumbo Limbo. That said, Highland Beach is primarily residential and intentionally quiet, which means the experience is more about discovering a way of living than checking off attractions.
When is the best time to see sea turtles in Highland Beach?
Nesting peaks in June and July, with hatching following roughly 60 days later. Organized sea turtle walks typically happen between June and August. Arriving at the beach around sunrise or after dark during these months — and keeping lights low — gives you the best chance of an encounter.
How close is Highland Beach to Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach?
Very close — less than two miles from the northern edge of Highland Beach. Residents regularly bike or walk to Atlantic Avenue, which makes Highland Beach's seclusion feel less like isolation and more like the best of both worlds.
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