Best Boat Docking Spots For Sunfest

SunFest is a popular music festival held annually in West Palm Beach, Florida. The festival takes place along the West Palm Beach waterfront, attracting thousands of people for live music, food, and fun. With limited parking spaces and heavy traffic, many attendees opt for alternative modes of transportation to get to the festival. One popular option is travelling by boat, with boaters anchoring in the Intracoastal Waterway in front of the festival site and taking a water taxi to the festival's waterfront gate. This option offers a unique way to enjoy the festival and skip the road traffic.

Renting a boat for SunFest

Boat Rental Options:

Gulfstream Boat Club offers boat rentals for SunFest, with four convenient boat club locations to choose from. They provide an opportunity to enjoy the festival from the water and avoid the traffic. You can also consider other boat rental companies in the area, which may offer similar packages for SunFest.

Anchoring and Transportation:

Boaters are welcome to anchor their boats in the Intracoastal Waterway in front of the SunFest site. From there, you can take a water taxi to the festival's waterfront gate. The water taxi is a convenient and affordable option, costing only $5 round trip. It provides easy access to the festival for those arriving by boat.

Docking and Drop-off:

If you prefer, you can also have a boat captain dock and drop you off at the loading and unloading area located on the South Dock. Vessels are permitted to drop off and pick up guests during the festival days. However, vessels will not be permitted to tie up for any other reasons, and the North and Middle Docks will be restricted unless approved by SunFest.

On-Site Amenities:

SunFest offers a variety of amenities for those arriving by boat. In addition to the water taxi service, there are floating bars along the Downtown West Palm Beach "Waterfront" on Flagler Drive, featuring specially crafted drinks, music, and a festive atmosphere. You can also expect spectacular fireworks displays during the festival, which are a highlight for many attendees.

Additional Transportation Options:

If you're looking for alternative ways to get to SunFest, there are several options available. The Downtown Development Authority offers a free bike valet service, encouraging festival-goers to leave their cars at home. You can also consider taking a bus, train, trolley, or rideshare services like Uber. Brightline trains provide hourly departures from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with a quick and convenient journey to West Palm Beach.

Anchoring in the Intracoastal Waterway

There are a few things to keep in mind when anchoring in the Intracoastal Waterway. Firstly, vessels will only be permitted to drop off and pick up guests at the designated loading and unloading area located on the South Dock. The North and Middle Docks will not be open to any vessels unless previously approved by SunFest. Secondly, boaters must stay at least 100 feet away from the docks when anchoring.

Once you've anchored, you can easily get to the festival by calling a water taxi company on your VHF radio or flagging one down as they pass by. They will pick you up from your boat and bring you right to the festival gate. The water taxi is a convenient and affordable option, costing only $5 round trip.

After enjoying the music, food, and fun at SunFest, you can call the water taxi company for a ride back to your boat. It's important to be mindful of alcohol consumption, as boating under the influence can be dangerous.

So, if you're looking for a unique and memorable way to get to SunFest, consider anchoring in the Intracoastal Waterway and taking a water taxi. It's a great way to avoid traffic, enjoy the waterfront views, and have a smooth journey to and from the festival.

Water taxi to the festival

SunFest is a music festival held in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is easily accessible by water taxi.

Getting to SunFest by Water Taxi

SunFest is held on the West Palm Beach waterfront, along the picturesque Lake Worth Lagoon. Boaters can anchor in the Intracoastal Waterway in front of the festival site and take a water taxi to the festival's waterfront gate. The water taxi costs $5 for a round trip, and tickets are required for the return leg of the journey.

Getting to West Palm Beach by Boat

For those wanting to travel to West Palm Beach by boat, there are several options. Gulfstream Boat Club offers boat rentals with four locations to choose from, providing a great view of the festival. Boaters can also anchor anywhere in the Intracoastal Waterway, and TowBoatUS will give you a ride from your boat to the festival for $5 round trip. For members of TowBoatUS, this service is complimentary.

Getting Around West Palm Beach

Once you're in West Palm Beach, there are several ways to get around. The Downtown West Palm Beach Trolley, Rose Trolley, and Circuit Shuttle all offer free rides within a 10-mile radius of SunFest. The Palm Beach County public bus routes also provide transportation throughout most of the city, and traditional taxi services, as well as ridesharing options like Lyft and Uber, are available.

Official drop-off and pick-up spots

SunFest offers a variety of transportation options for festival-goers, including official drop-off and pick-up spots for those using ride-sharing services. Here are the details for those planning to attend the festival and utilise these services:

Uber: The official drop-off and pick-up location for Uber is at Fern and Olive Avenue. Uber offered a special SunFest promotion in 2017, providing users with their first ride for free (up to $20) using the code SUNFESTWPB. While it is unclear if this promotion is still ongoing, it is recommended to check the Uber app for any available discounts when planning your trip to SunFest.

Lyft and other ride-sharing services: While no specific drop-off and pick-up locations are mentioned for Lyft, it is likely that they will also utilise the same location as Uber, given that Fern and Olive Avenue is the official drop-off and pick-up area for ride-sharing services.

Water Taxi: Boaters are welcome to anchor in the Intracoastal Waterway in front of the SunFest site and take the water taxi to the festival's waterfront gate. The water taxi costs $5 for a round trip, and guests will be provided with a ticket that is required for the return leg of the trip. More information on the water taxi service, including hours of operation, pick-up and drop-off locations, and ways to hail the taxi, can be found on the SunFest website.

Brightline Trains: For those travelling from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the Brightline train is a convenient option. The trains depart hourly from these locations, with West Palm Beach just a 30-minute ride from Fort Lauderdale and under an hour from Miami. From the West Palm Beach station, you can either walk to SunFest or book Brightline+, their new rideshare program, for a quick ride to the festival grounds. Brightline also offers late-night return trains on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, allowing you to make the most of your time at SunFest.

Buses: Palm Tran offers several bus routes throughout Palm Beach County, with stops at the Quadrille and Clematis intersection, conveniently located just down the street from SunFest. Be sure to check the SunFest website for more information on bus transportation options.

Boat safety and alcohol

SunFest is an annual music festival held in West Palm Beach, attracting thousands of people for live music, food, and fun. The festival offers a range of transportation options, including boats, to get to the waterfront venue. Boaters can anchor in the Intracoastal Waterway in front of the festival site and take a water taxi to the festival gate.

However, it is important to prioritise safety when boating to SunFest, especially when alcohol is involved. Here are some essential guidelines for boat safety and alcohol:

The Risks of Alcohol and Boating

Alcohol is a significant factor in many boating accidents. It impairs judgement, coordination, and reaction time, all of which are crucial for safe boating. The consumption of alcohol increases the risk of falling overboard, capsizing, and drowning. It is also important to note that passengers are at just as much risk as the boat operator when it comes to alcohol-related accidents.

Legal Consequences

Operating a boat while intoxicated is illegal and can result in severe penalties. In the United States, boating under the influence (BUI) is a federal offence, carrying fines of up to $1,000, criminal penalties up to $5,000, and potential jail time. In most states, the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for operating a boat is .08%, similar to highway laws for driving vehicles.

Boating Stress Factors

Boating already presents unique challenges, including wind, sun, glare, noise, motion, and vibration, which can induce "boater's hypnosis," leading to fatigue and slowed reaction times. The consumption of alcohol exacerbates these stressors and further impairs the operator's ability to navigate and react to unexpected obstacles and boating traffic.

Safety Recommendations

To ensure safety, it is advisable to refrain from consuming alcohol while operating a boat. Always follow local laws and regulations regarding alcohol consumption and boating. Be mindful of your surroundings, and if you plan to consume alcohol, do so only when safely ashore or anchored, and avoid operating the boat under the influence.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your SunFest experience is both enjoyable and safe for yourself and others.

Frequently asked questions