Blowing Rocks Preserve

A 73-acre Nature Conservancy preserve on Jupiter Island, gifted in 1969 by environmentalist Nathaniel Reed and his neighbors — one of the Conservancy's earliest Florida projects. The shoreline is the largest exposed outcropping of Anastasia limestone on the U.S. Atlantic coast, a fossil-shell rock that's usually buried or underwater. When winter storms and high tides drive swells into the ledge, the sea forces geysers up to 50 feet through erosion holes, giving the place its name. Behind the beach the preserve protects mangrove estuary on the Indian River Lagoon, coastal hammock, and sea-turtle nesting dunes.

What to order

Time the visit to a winter or spring high tide with heavy easterly swell for the actual blowing — otherwise it's just a beautiful, oddly moonlike beach. $2 per person, exact cash at the kiosk; parking is small and fills fast.

Hours

Daily 9a–4:30p (trails and parking close at 4:30p sharp)