The night before my press trip to Jupiter, Fla., I was guaranteed to have a great visit in the form of a text from my driver, complete with smiley-face emojis. That warm welcome was echoed by the sunny beachside region itself from the moment I arrived.
During the 30-minute drive from the West Palm Beach Airport to the Jupiter Beach Resort, we passed the sites where our activities would take place. The resort's proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway as well as restaurants and shops (including the new Harbourside Place, which has a waterfront amphitheater) made our itinerary very walkable, had we wanted to forgo our knowledgeable and friendly driver.
Much of our transportation took place via the water. In addition to its own private pool and beach, the Jupiter Beach Resort is located along the waterway, which stretches up the East Coast and was designed for commercial shipping in the 1800s. We used it to enjoy waterside meals of fresh catches of the day, and to take a PonTiki boat ride and a stand-up paddleboard and kayaking tour.
Our tours on the waterway gave us plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. One of our group spotted a drifting dark shadow, and we were so delighted when a manatee popped up for air that we missed the photo opportunity. We saw plenty of fish and turtles, and for a first-time paddleboarder I was glad I could stay upright on my board after witnessing rays gliding along the sandy bottom.
Paddleboarding is more than just a trendy activity for burning calories or observing fauna; we saw many locals, more confident on their boards than I was, paddling with shoes and backpacks on. Our guide suggested they were paddling to work, a mode of transportation that's virtually devoid of traffic.
Not that traffic was a problem, or that you need to go far from the resort for plenty to do. The secluded white-sand beach was very popular among guests, who could be seen enjoying the sun and the clear, warm Atlantic water. Beach chairs and beachside food and beverage service save you from having to move from your idyllic spot, except maybe to follow the sun or the tide.
I could be found near the poolside fire pit or on one of the several hammocks scattered around the property, which were perfect for relaxing under a palm tree with a good book in one hand and a cocktail from the poolside bar in the other.
Guided tours, live music, athletic facilities and a full-service spa round out the resort's offerings (try the liquid dark chocolate in the Spa's Serenity Room).
Rooms at the Jupiter Beach Resort begin at $165 per night. See www.jupiterbeachresort.com.