Biking in Delray Beach: Your Pedaling Points of Interest
From quiet stretches of shoreline to bustling beachside boulevards and wildlife-rich nature preserves, here’s where to steer your two wheels when exploring Highland Beach and its coastal neighbors.
There’s something to be said for exploring a beach town at 10 miles per hour. You notice more. The architecture, the tucked-away beach paths, the little cafés you might otherwise drive right past. And along South Florida’s Atlantic coast, where the terrain is relatively flat and the ocean is rarely far from view, two wheels can be an especially rewarding way to get acquainted with your surroundings.
That’s particularly true at Delray Sands Resort, situated on the barrier island of Highland Beach, between Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Here, guests have access to complimentary beach cruisers, making it easy to trade an afternoon on the sand for a little coastal reconnaissance.
The question is, where to pedal? We’ve rounded up five points of interest worth putting on your cycling itinerary, from a secluded stretch of beach to an unlikely encounter with sharks. Consider this your choose-your-own-adventure guide to exploring South Florida on two wheels.
STOP 1: ATLANTIC DUNES PARK | FOR A QUIETER SLICE OF SHORELINE
Distance from Delray Sands
Approximately 1.5–2 miles north (one-way)
Best For
Beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and leisurely riders
Not every worthwhile beach in South Florida comes with a bustling promenade and a lineup of waterfront restaurants. Case in point: Atlantic Dunes Park, a relatively low-key stretch of shoreline just north of Highland Beach. Located along A1A, this Delray Beach park is distinguished by its natural dune landscape and wooded approach to the Atlantic. Rather than stepping straight from the roadside onto the sand, visitors follow a short nature trail through the coastal vegetation, where the surrounding greenery offers a welcome change of scenery.
It’s an appealing first excursion for guests who want to venture beyond the resort without committing to a lengthy ride. Once there, lock up your cruiser, explore the trail on foot, or simply take a few minutes to appreciate the ocean from a different vantage point.
Insider Tip
This is a particularly good stop for a morning ride, before the midday heat sets in. The park also has public restrooms and a bicycle rack, making it a convenient turnaround point.
STOP 2: SANDOWAY DISCOVERY CENTER | FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH SHARKS
Distance from Delray Sands
Approximately 3–3.5 miles north
Best For
Families, marine-life enthusiasts, and curious travelers
A shark encounter probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when planning a bicycle ride. But that’s precisely what makes this next stop so interesting. Housed inside a historic 1936 beachfront residence, the Sandoway Discovery Center offers an unexpectedly fascinating look at the marine life inhabiting South Florida’s waters. Inside, visitors can explore a 15,000-gallon coral reef pool, observe sharks and other aquatic residents, investigate an extensive collection of seashells, and learn about the delicate ecosystems that exist just beyond the shoreline.
The building itself is worth a closer look, too. With its original architectural details and breezy, old-Florida character, the former residence offers a glimpse into what beachfront living looked like long before today’s resort towers arrived.
Insider Tip
Check the center’s animal-feeding schedule before setting off. If your timing is right, you may be able to catch one of its shark or stingray feeding demonstrations. Allow enough time for the return ride within the resort’s two-hour rental window.
STOP 3: ATLANTIC AVENUE | FOR A TASTE OF DELRAY’S BEACH-TOWN ENERGY
Distance from Delray Sands
Approximately 3.5–4 miles north to the beachfront end of Atlantic Avenue
Best For
Coffee stops, people-watching, shopping, and dining
If Highland Beach is all about quiet coastal living, neighboring Delray Beach offers a decidedly livelier counterpart. Its main artery, Atlantic Avenue, stretches westward from the ocean, connecting the beachfront with a lively collection of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafés. It’s the sort of place where a quick coffee stop can easily turn into an afternoon of browsing.
Approaching from the south along A1A, riders will arrive at the beachfront end of Atlantic Avenue, where the oceanfront scene gives way to the shops and restaurants farther west. Consider dismounting here and exploring the busier stretches on foot, especially when traffic and pedestrian activity pick up.
If you’re looking for a souvenir that doesn’t involve a refrigerator magnet, the surrounding downtown district offers plenty of independently owned shops worth investigating.
Insider Tip
Keep an eye out for the smaller side streets branching off Atlantic Avenue. Some offer glimpses of Delray’s older residential character, including colorful cottages and bungalow-style homes that contrast with the city’s busier commercial corridor. Given the distance, make this a short sightseeing outing rather than an extended shopping trip if using the complimentary cruisers.
STOP 4: SPANISH RIVER PARK | FOR A DOSE OF OLD FLORIDA
Distance from Delray Sands
Approximately 2.5–3 miles south
Best For
Birdwatchers, nature lovers, and scenic cycling
Point your handlebars south instead of north, and you’ll eventually reach one of Boca Raton’s most interesting coastal green spaces: Spanish River Park. Spread across approximately 95 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, the park provides a different perspective on South Florida’s barrier-island landscape. Beyond its beaches, you’ll find picnic areas, coastal vegetation, and opportunities to spot the birdlife that frequents the Intracoastal shoreline.
One particularly distinctive feature? The park’s pedestrian tunnels beneath A1A, which connect its western recreational areas with the oceanfront without requiring visitors to cross the busy roadway.
It’s a worthwhile destination for those interested in seeing a little more of the natural landscape that existed before this stretch of coastline became synonymous with beachfront development.
Insider Tip
Spanish River Park has a paved bicycle path along its A1A side, plus bicycle racks in its picnic areas. Check park access rules before visiting, and leave enough time to explore on foot.
STOP 5: GUMBO LIMBO NATURE CENTER | FOR A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Distance from Delray Sands
Approximately 4–4.5 miles south
Best For
Wildlife enthusiasts, botanical curiosities, and adventurous riders
A little farther south along Boca Raton’s coastline, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is one of the area’s most rewarding destinations for travelers interested in the environment beyond the beach. Set within a coastal preserve, the center introduces visitors to South Florida’s native plants, marine habitats, and wildlife through outdoor aquariums, educational exhibits, and nature trails. Among its highlights is a boardwalk winding through a tropical hardwood hammock, a dense native forest ecosystem that offers a striking contrast to the manicured landscapes along much of A1A. There’s also an observation tower, where visitors can gain an elevated perspective on the surrounding coastal habitat.
The center takes its name from the gumbo limbo tree, a native species recognizable by its distinctive peeling reddish bark. Its rather amusing nickname? The tourist tree, thanks to bark that resembles a particularly unfortunate sunburn.
Insider Tip
General admission is free, although donations are welcome. Given the longer round-trip distance and the attractions worth exploring once you arrive, this is best suited to stronger riders who can comfortably complete the excursion within two hours. Alternatively, consider visiting by car if you’d like to spend more time exploring the exhibits.
BEFORE YOU PEDAL: A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
The Bikes
Delray Sands Resort offers six complimentary adult beach cruisers, along with helmets and locks. They’re available on a first-come, first-served basis for up to two hours, from dawn to dusk.
The Route
South Ocean Boulevard, also known as State Road A1A, is the main coastal corridor connecting Highland Beach with Delray Beach to the north and Boca Raton to the south. It’s scenic, but it’s also an active roadway. Use designated bicycle facilities where available, obey traffic signals, and take particular care at intersections and bridge approaches.
The Timing
Morning is an excellent time to head out, especially during warmer months. You’ll generally encounter more comfortable temperatures, and you’ll have plenty of daylight to make the return trip.
The Essentials
Bring water, sunscreen, a charged phone, and a little spending money if you’re planning a café or attraction stop. Remember to lock your bicycle whenever you leave it unattended.
The Distances
All mileage figures are approximate one-way estimates from Delray Sands Resort. Actual riding distances, travel times, and access conditions will vary. Check your intended route and current bicycle regulations before departing.
YOUR HOME BASE ON HIGHLAND BEACH
Of course, part of the appeal of a bicycle excursion is knowing exactly what awaits when you return.
At Delray Sands Resort, that means swapping your handlebars for a lounge chair overlooking the Atlantic, taking a dip in the oceanfront pool, or settling in for a meal at Latitudes, the resort’s signature oceanfront restaurant. And with another stretch of South Florida coastline still waiting to be explored, there’s always an excuse to take the cruisers out again tomorrow.
