Blowing Rocks Preserve

Blowing Rocks Preserve, on Jupiter Island just south of town, protects one of the most unusual stretches of shoreline in Florida. An outcrop of Anastasia limestone runs along the beach, honeycombed by centuries of wave action into tunnels, arches, and blowholes. At high tide, especially during winter storms, waves force water through the openings and send plumes of spray shooting above the rock — spectacular enough that people time visits around the tide tables.

Owned by The Nature Conservancy, the 73-acre preserve also has a lagoon on its western side and a stretch of natural beach where sea turtles nest in summer. The nature centre near the entrance covers the ecology of the site, including the loggerhead, leatherback, and green turtles that use the beach. It is a 15-minute drive south of Jupiter on County Road 707.

things to do sight
A story
The Anastasia limestone formation at Blowing Rocks was laid down during a period when sea levels were higher and the shoreline was further inland. As the ocean retreated and the limestone was exposed, waves carved the network of tunnels and blowholes now visible at the surface. On the highest winter tides, the spray can shoot 50 feet into the air.