Fees · Destination Guide
Drift dives, wreck treks, and a world-famous tide-timed shore dive in South Florida
Key fee: Florida divers-down flag requirement
Required safety device (purchase cost varies)
Updated Dec 13, 2025 • 15 sources
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no destination-wide marine park tag or tourism levy for Palm Beach diving. Instead, plan for local park entry fees, water-taxi tickets, and Florida safety rules such as the required divers-down flag.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida divers-down flag requirement | Required safety device (purchase cost varies) whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water | Scuba divers, freedivers, and snorkelers in Florida waters | Local dive shops and marine retailers |
Florida requires a divers-down warning device and sets rules for how close boaters and divers must stay to the flag, depending on whether you are in open water or a channel. |
| Phil Foster Park night dive permit (group dives) | Permit required (operator-arranged) specific date and time | Organized night dives at Phil Foster Park | Palm Beach County Parks (permit application) or through permitted dive operators | Phil Foster Park is generally open sunrise to sunset. The county indicates that group night dives require a permit. |
| John D. MacArthur Beach State Park entrance fee | USD $5 per vehicle (two to eight people) day use | Vehicles entering the park | Park entrance station | A good backup beach and nature stop on days when ocean conditions are not ideal for snorkeling. |
| Peanut Island shuttle boat tickets | USD $25 adult round trip; USD $12 child round trip same-day round trip | Visitors using the water taxi service | Peanut Island Shuttle Boat ticketing | If you do not have your own boat, the shuttle is the simplest way to reach Peanut Island for a snorkel lagoon day. |
| Peanut Island camping fee | USD $30 per night (single campsite) or USD $60 per night (expanded campsite), plus tax per night | Overnight campers on Peanut Island | Palm Beach County Parks camping reservations | Camping requires reservations and is limited to short stays, so book early for weekends and winter peak season. |
Fee
whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water
Florida requires a divers-down warning device and sets rules for how close boaters and divers must stay to the flag, depending on whether you are in open water or a channel.
specific date and time
Phil Foster Park is generally open sunrise to sunset. The county indicates that group night dives require a permit.
day use
A good backup beach and nature stop on days when ocean conditions are not ideal for snorkeling.
same-day round trip
If you do not have your own boat, the shuttle is the simplest way to reach Peanut Island for a snorkel lagoon day.
per night
Camping requires reservations and is limited to short stays, so book early for weekends and winter peak season.