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Palm Beach International Airport
PBI • KPBI
8 km • 8 km drive
Closest airport to Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, with easy access to marinas and dive shops.
Transport: Rideshare and taxis, Rental cars, Hotel shuttles (varies by property)
Logistics · Destination Guide
Drift dives, wreck treks, and a world-famous tide-timed shore dive in South Florida
Updated Dec 13, 2025 • 15 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Palm Beach is served by a close-in airport (PBI) and two major South Florida hubs (FLL and MIA). Most dive operations run from Riviera Beach, Singer Island, West Palm Beach, and Jupiter, so staying near the Lake Worth Inlet area minimizes morning logistics. If you are combining Palm Beach with Miami or Fort Lauderdale, passenger rail and commuter rail can reduce car needs, but a rental car is still the simplest option for early boat departures and tide-timed shore dives.
Palm Beach International Airport
PBI • KPBI
8 km • 8 km drive
Closest airport to Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, with easy access to marinas and dive shops.
Transport: Rideshare and taxis, Rental cars, Hotel shuttles (varies by property)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
FLL • KFLL
80 km • 80 km drive
Large South Florida airport with extensive domestic and international service and frequent ground transport options north to Palm Beach County.
Transport: Rental cars, Rideshare and taxis, Brightline or Tri-Rail connections via local transfers
Miami International Airport
MIA • KMIA
115 km • 115 km drive
Major international gateway. Useful if you are pairing Palm Beach with Miami and want one flight in and out.
Transport: Rental cars, Rideshare and taxis, Rail connections via transfers to Brightline or Tri-Rail
A rental car is the easiest way to connect early-morning dive charters, slack-tide shore dives, and scattered beach access points. Rideshare works well around West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Island, and Riviera Beach. For regional trips, Brightline and Tri-Rail connect West Palm Beach with Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Biking is practical on the flat barrier island routes and the Lake Trail.
Palm Beach is in the United States. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can travel with standard domestic ID rules. International visitors generally need a valid passport and either an ESTA authorization (Visa Waiver Program) or an appropriate U.S. visa. Always confirm requirements for your nationality and transit airports before you book.
Most Palm Beach dive charters are set up for full-service boat diving, with weights and tanks available as rentals. Call ahead if you need larger sizes, doubles, sidemount, or a specific gas. For drift dives, prioritize packing an SMB, spool, and an audible signal. For Phil Foster Park and other shore sessions, bring a divers-down flag float and arrive early for easier staging. Rinse gear with fresh water after lagoon dives and do a careful camera clean if you shoot macro at Blue Heron Bridge.
United States Dollar (USD)
Cards are widely accepted in Palm Beach County. Carry some cash for crew tips, parking meters, small waterfront purchases, and beachside snacks.
ATMs are common in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Island commercial areas, and near major shopping centers. Use bank ATMs when possible to reduce fees.
120V • 60Hz • A, B
Standard U.S. outlets. Most chargers are dual-voltage; check your camera and laptop bricks before travel.
Communications
Cell coverage is strong in the urban corridor (Palm Beach Island, West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Boca Raton). Signal can drop on the water. Most accommodations offer reliable Wi-Fi, and eSIMs are widely supported by U.S. carriers.
Language
English is the primary language. Spanish and Haitian Creole are also widely spoken in South Florida.
Insurance
Carry dive accident coverage (such as DAN) plus standard travel medical insurance. If you are planning deeper wreck treks or repetitive drift days, confirm coverage limits for hyperbaric treatment and evacuation.
Packing list
Bring a 3mm suit for warm months and consider a 5mm for winter drift days. Pack an SMB and spool, a whistle, and reef-safe sunscreen. For snorkel days, add a snorkel vest, water shoes, and a dry bag. If you dive Blue Heron Bridge, bring a dedicated dive light for under-bridge shadows and a small brush to clean sand from camera housings after the lagoon.