11 secret Florida beaches locals love and tourists haven't ruined yet

1 OF 11--Lake Worth Beach

Less glitzy than the beaches on the island of Palm Beach, just north, Lake Worth Beach offers just as clear, blue Atlantic waters and lovely golden sands with a far more local crowd.

The main landmark here is the Lake Worth Pier, which extends 1,000 feet out into the ocean and attracts anglers in equal parts as it does brunchers and piña colada sippers, drawn to the great little beach bar, Benny’s on the Beach, where the pier meets the sand.

Just surprised that they did not mention our Casino at the Lake Worth beach.

Fodors Travel Guide

10 Years later, some things never change

A memory from when the city conspired against the residents

SHOCK III: Committee Conspired to Keep Beach Build Plans from Residents to Get Szerdi Re-elected

The Lake Worth Tribune By Margaret Menge

"In an audio recording of its February 10, 2015 meeting, members of the ITN Committee are heard conspiring to keep plans to build at the beach from the public to make sure John Szerdi would win re-election to the City Commission.

“I would recommend we do not have any kind of public meeting until after the election,” said William Waters, a city employee who oversees the building and code compliance departments. “If we have a public meeting, and it gets out (unintelligible)….you can say goodbye to Szerdi,” he said.

Commissioner Andy Amoroso, the Commission’s liaison to the ITN Committee, quickly agreed, saying, “Absolutely, you cannot do this before…”

News of Hudson Holdings’ proposal to build a convention center and private beach club at the Lake Worth beach did get out before the election – after Steve Michael of Hudson Holdings met with owners of the Gulfstream Condominiums in late February and Commissioner Christopher McVoy happened to be in the room. McVoy took detailed notes of the meeting, and provided them to the Tribune, which published a story just two weeks before the election.

Read the article...

As it turned out, John Szerdi lost his re-election bid on March 10, 2015 to first-time candidate Ryan Maier by a 20-percent margin, winning just 37 percent of the vote to Maier’s 57 percent." And did they ever give Ryan Maier a hard time after that..drove him out of town eventually.

Now the city, with a memory like an elephant and still wanting to screw up our beach and city, is doing that same thing in a ballot initiative.

Vote NO on Amendments 2 & 3 on March 10, 2026. We want to keep our historic beach and small town.

Are Electric vehicles on sidewalks hazardous to pedestrians?

Residents in Lake Worth Beach are raising safety concerns about electric bikes and scooters traveling at high speeds on sidewalks, joining a growing debate across Palm Beach County about regulating these vehicles in pedestrian areas.

Electric scooters and bikes are all over the walking path at John Prince Park which does not allow electric vehicles. Even those that are not electric are dangerous as you can't hear them coming and most do not ring a bell as they are approaching a pedestrian.

At the Lake Worth beach

The cold weather didn't deter beachgoers in Lake Worth Beach

They were captivated by the sea fog

RockinRobin Roadtrips features Lake Worth's beach, Pier and Casino.

Park Rangers to patrol Lake Worth Beach Parks

Park rangers could soon patrol Lake Worth Beach parks as city approves $500K safety program

WFLX: Park rangers could soon be a regular sight at some of Lake Worth Beach’s most popular public spaces.

City leaders just approved a $500,000 Park Ranger Program aimed at keeping local parks clean, safe, and family-friendly. The plan, approved at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting, would create a new Park Ranger Division within the city’s Leisure Services Department.

City spending nearly $100K on upgrades to public park restrooms.

Stuart Sword, the city’s director of Leisure Services, said the idea has been months in the making. He describes it as a “cold start program” — the first of its kind for Lake Worth Beach.

“So, the park rangers will initially be at the beachfront, in Bryant Park, in Sunset Ridge, and Howard Park,” Sword said. “Those parks are cumulatively about 30 acres of green space.”

Read about it...

Dolphins stranded at Lake Worth Beach

Four dolphins stranded themselves near the Lake Worth Pier on Wednesday morning, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Barry has retired!

Barry S. Freedman, an icon at Lake Worth Beach

Barry has retired after 40 years at our beach, owner of Lake Worth Beach T-Shirt

From Barry's Facebook page:
I have been sooo fortunate!!!!! After being on the beach of our beautiful City of Lake Worth Beach for 40years, I am handing over the store to the NEXT GENERATION!! It has been an incredible run...the beach has been my home.

I look forward to the next chapter of my life with great anticipation.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to all my loyal customers, friends and family, Visitors to our great beach, to the generations of families that have walked through my doors, the media, and all the locals who have supported me throughout all the good times and the down times.

I've been successful at the beach. But my greatest pleasure has been watching all the kids grow up right in front of me on L-Dub Beach, to become successful, and such fine young men and women.....I am so very proud of you all......

Barry says he sold his business to Mama Mia's pizza / Anthony and Lilly Vultaggio. "THE NEW GENERATION!! I know Lil since the day she was born.....grew up in my stores!!!"

Oceanwalk Restaurant coming in November to Lake Worth beach

Oceanwalk by Benny’s on the Beach Reimagines Coastal Dining

This November, the iconic Benny’s on the Beach introduces Oceanwalk, a reimagined oceanfront experience blending Florida’s seasonal seafood with a modern, coastal-chic atmosphere.

Benny’s on the Beach, the iconic oceanfront dining destination beloved by generations of locals and visitors alike, is embarking on an exciting new chapter.

This November, the brand will unveil Oceanwalk by Benny’s on the Beach, a reimagined concept that celebrates Florida’s seasonal seafood and produce while infusing a fresh, modern sensibility. Melding the relaxed charm of coastal living with a refined culinary approach, Oceanwalk distinguishes itself from the original Lake Worth Pier location, offering a distinctive experience that invites guests to savor both the setting and the cuisine.

Leading the transformation is Angelo Romano, the new culinary director for both Oceanwalk and Benny’s on the Beach. A Palm Beach County native, Romano returns home after more than a decade shaping New York City’s dining scene, with leadership roles at acclaimed establishments including Roberta’s, The Pines, and Grand Tour Hospitality (American Bar, St. Theo’s).

Read about it...

Person caught in Rip Current at Lake Worth Beach died

Person pronounced dead after being caught in rip current in Lake Worth Beach

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A person is dead after they were caught in a rip current on Wednesday.

According to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) at around 7 p.m. crews were rescued to SW Ocean Boulevard in Lake Worth Beach about an open water incident. PBCFR says the 911 caller said a person was caught in a rip current and approximately 100 feet from shore.

In less than three minutes, rescue crews had removed the person from the water. That person was immediately given medical care and transported to a local hospital.

A spokesperson from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) said the person was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

[WPEC]

High Surf at Lake Worth Beach

Lake Worth Beach Pier is closed

The coast from Boca Raton to Sebastian is under a high surf advisory due to hurricanes Imelda and Humberto in the Atlantic, bringing waves as high as 10 feet along South Florida's coast.

While the surfers are embracing the waves, the city is ensuring that safety is its top priority.

"For safety reasons, currently the pier is closed," said Stuart Sword, the director of leisure services in Lake Worth Beach.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Pier has been closed due to the high waves breaking on the far end.

WPBF

Hands Off Lake Worth Beach

From the web site bit.ly/HandsOffLWB: This issue will be discussed by the City Commission on October 6 at 6pm. Be there!

The LWB City Commission is paving the way for a massive hotel takeover of our public beach and golf course. For seven months, they’ve let the developer’s lobbyist influence public opinion while city staff quietly rewrites the rules that protect our public access. They’re trying to dismantle decades of public protections and hand over our beach and parks to private developers.

To push these unsupported developments forward they must remove laws from our City Charter that limit private use of the public beach and restrict building heights. These laws, called Charter Amendments, were passed by voters specifically to protect our public assets from this type of private development. Under the current laws you would get a vote on this scale of development. They want to remove that right.

Mayor Resch and Commissioners May, Segrich, and Malega are calling for a March 2026 special election for these Charter changes that would take away your right to help protect our beloved public beach, parks, and shoreline.

Tell your Commissioners and the Mayor to leave the Charter alone! Let them know you want to keep the existing protections for our beach and public shorelines.

Click here to sign the Petition

Developer's Plans here for beach and golf course

Proposals for Beach Development

See the photos...

No pool. No more parking at the beach front. No more driving by and looking at our ocean.

Beachfront and Golf Course Development Proposal

Commissioner McVoy shares letter from Law firm, Lewis, Longman & Walker P.A.

Regarding our beach

McVoy said that "It seems another commissioner (Mimi May) was wrong when she asserted that ‘any charter referenda would have nothing to do with proposals at the beach.’"

LLW represents the developer and they suggest referendum language in support of the Unsolicited Proposal submitted to the City on January 16, 2025, for the redevelopment of the City’s beachfront and golf course properties.

Lewis, Longman & Walker is requesting the following be on the agenda on the September 2 meeting:

1. Shall the City of Lake Worth Beach be permitted to enter into a 99-year lease over Cityowned property east of the A1A roadway, to permit the development of a hotel and infrastructure at the beachfront and casino property?
2. Shall the City of Lake Worth Beach be permitted to enter into a 99-year lease over Cityowned property west of A-1-A roadway to permit the development of a hotel and infrastructure at the golf course property?

If the Commission accepts the proposal in a contract, the Charter first must be modified to a longer lease term.

This is on the Agenda for the 9-2-25 meeting under New Business B to be voted on at the March 2026 election.

Read the letter

As I was unclear about what Commissioner McVoy had said about Commissioner May, he sent a text of explanation:

Sent from my iPhon Ok, finally getting back. I guess I did not write very clearly. In past meetings, Comm May has expressed that any charter amendments that the Commission would put on a ballot, ‘would not be related [specifically] to the Copperline/Horizon project.’ I was very skeptical of that assertion when I heard it. The letter that I fwded from the attorney for Copperline seemed to make it very clear that amendments, referenda, etc to be put on the March 2026 ballot would *exactly* be for the Copperline project. In my mind, that confirmed my earlier skepticism.

Lake Worth beach Evacuated on Thursday

LAKE WORTH BEACH evacuation

"A beachgoer on Thursday discovered what appeared to be a military ordnance marker on Lake Worth Beach, prompting an evacuation and road closures.

Military ordnance refers to weapons, ammunition and other military supplies used by armed forces. It encompasses a wide range of items, including bombs, missiles, artillery and even smaller arms and ammunition.

The individual picked up the item and brought it to a nearby lifeguard, who immediately notified the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Upon arrival, deputies evacuated the beach and closed surrounding roadways, including the upper parking lot, as a precaution. Patrons at Benny’s on the Beach were advised to shelter in place until the incident was resolved.

PBSO’s Bomb Squad responded to the scene and safely removed the marker. All areas were deemed safe and reopened by 8 p.m. [WPBF]

Developers still want to screw up our beach and golf course

Developers will take every square inch of undeveloped property if you allow it

"An investment group pitching a massive overhaul of Lake Worth Beach’s oceanfront and public golf course is conducting an outreach campaign this summer to drum up public support for the multimillion-dollar project. Hosting the Horizon presentations is a familiar face: former city lobbyist Richard Pinsky."

Can't help but Remember him...now instead of representing the city and lobbying in Tallahassee for grants, he is representing developers for the almighty buck--much more lucrative than the small retainer he received from the City.

As a reminder, Richard Pinsky, our former lobbyist in Tallahassee, is considered a "super lobbyist" and one of his specialties--development project approvals before local governments. He is also the former husband of Kimberly Mitchell who was a West Palm Beach commissioner for 13 years.

"Pinsky stopped representing the city in May, after more than 10 years, when he quit his job with the Akerman law firm, one of the city’s two lobbying firms. He formed Pinsky and Associates with his wife, Jessica, and accepted an offer to represent the investment group: Copperline Partners, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, Hyatt World International, Fortress Investment and Stiles Construction.

Among the highlights of a development plan Copperline said will create a vibrant tourism-based economy for Lake Worth Beach:

• A $105 million, 250-room oceanfront Hyatt at the south end of the beach, just west of the existing traffic circle.

• An attraction (a seaquarium has been mentioned), a 5-acre park and a 900-space parking garage all at the beach.

• A public launch for kayaks and a water taxi on the west side of Ocean Boulevard just south of the Lake Worth Bridge, creating a dedicated water transportation link between the barrier island and the mainland.

• A $95 million, 150-room Hyatt on the south end of a newly designed Jack Nicklaus golf course. (Nicklaus toured the existing city course in November.)

• A new public swimming pool on the mainland, potentially at the city’s Northwest Park. The city’s municipal pool at the beach, shuttered since 2016, would be razed.

• No changes to the existing casino building and the Lake Worth Pier."

Read more of the article

Oceanwalk Restaurant at the Lake Worth Casino

Benny’s on the Beach seeking $50,000 rent waiver from LWB during Oceanwalk renovation closure

BENNY’S ON THE BEACH is planning about $400,000 in renovations to its Oceanwalk restaurant at the Lake Worth Beach Casino complex, work that will close the restaurant from Labor Day until mid to late October, interim City Manager Jamie Brown said.

The restaurant is asking city officials to waive two months of Oceanwalk’s lease payments, roughly $50,000, “since they will be closed and have no revenue coming in,’’ he said.

When Brown mentioned the rent-waiver request at a pre-agenda work session June 27, a majority of city commissioners voiced support for approving it:

• “Benny’s brings so much. They're like our big attraction. I would allow that to happen as a courtesy,’’ Mayor Betty Resch said.
• “This business is a good city partner,’’ said Vice Mayor Sarah Malega. “They have a good track record. I think that’s a good return on investment.’’
• Commissioner Chris McVoy indicated he would vote against the request when it’s formally presented to the commission later this summer.
• Commissioner Mimi May said she would support the request if it’s limited to a specific timeframe.

Although there was no quote from Commissioner Anthony Segrich, Commissioner McVoy confirmed that he was the only one who voted "no."

Read Joe Capozzi's article

Our Beach Property at Lake Worth Beach

The Lake Worth Beach commission is determined to screw up our beach

They have never found a developer that they didn't encourage

Tonight there is a commission meeting to discuss our beach.

The City is spending nearly three-quarters of a million dollars for a study to do this.

STAFF REPORT SPECIAL MEETING

AGENDA DATE: June 26, 2025 DEPARTMENT: Leisure Services

TITLE: Task Order No. 1 for Professional Services between the City of Lake Worth Beach and Zyscovich, LLC.

SUMMARY: Review of the Task Order for the Municipal Beach Complex Development Professional Services.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:
The Zyscovich, LLC contract for the Municipal Beach Complex Development Professional Services was awarded at the regular meeting December 3rd, 2024.

City Staff met with the Zyscovich, LCC consultants to identify the projects described in the consultant's proposal as: Municipal Beach Complex Development Site and Building Assessment and Design Driven

Project Approach, Phase 1 – Strategic Planning.
Attached is Task Order No. 1 and the Zyscovich, LLC proposal listed as Exhibit “1”. Under this Task Order the consultant will provide the city with location feasibility, perform required studies, develop potential options/scenarios for the facility and lead the City through the process of planning and implementation of future development services.

The services to be provided under this Task Order shall be completed within nine (9) months from the City’s approval of this task Order or the issuance of a Notice to Proceed and is not to exceed the amount of $702,153.25.

This item will be presented as of the third quarter budget amendment currently scheduled for August 2025.

MOTION: Move to approve/disapprove Task Order No. 1 for Professional Services between the City of Lake Worth Beach and Zyscovich, LLC.

Dangerous Surf Conditions at Lake Worth Beach

Rip-Currents at beach in Lake Worth Beach

A rip current survivor story from a beachgoer at Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on the NOAA website:

"I was at Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on a beautiful relaxing beach day. Water looked fairly calm. Made my way out until I started to feel a little uncomfortable and turned around to come back and discovered I couldn't. I struggled to plant my feet on the sandy bottom but couldn't. The current was taking me out! The waves were pounding into me and water was entering my mouth.

"Wave after wave was wearing me down as I dog paddled. I calmed myself down and remembered the instructions. I swam horizontal to the shore and finally touched bottom. I thought I was going to die that day! No one on shore was aware of my situation. Although I still love the ocean and beach, that day changed me forever but a little bit of knowledge can save your life! It saved mine."

NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Will Ulrich previously told Newsweek: "Rip currents have been the number one weather-related killer in east-central Florida and along the Eastern Seaboard. Even distant hurricanes can become hazardous."

Read more...

Hero father helps rescue two teens from rip currents at Lake Worth beach

Rip current kills one and leaves two injured at Lake Worth beach

A 17-year-old teenager and two others were injured after they were caught in a rip current at Lake Worth Beach in Florida.

Andrew Mannino helped rescue the teenagers after he switched his plans to go to Juno Beach and went to Lake Worth because it was less crowded. “It ended up being really packed, so we ended up coming to Lake Worth, close to home,” Mannino recalled.

He was relaxing on the beach when he noticed the teenagers were struggling in the ocean. “All of a sudden, I hear someone from behind them say, ‘Hey, I think they are drowning,’” Mannino said.

The father knew that he had to do something. “I didn’t even think about it. I just went. I have kids,” Mannino stated. He helped two make it back to shore while two others managed to escape the rip current on their own. One passed away.

Read DeSantis Daily

Although I mentioned this incident before, I wanted to recognize the hero father who assisted with the rescue.

I learned to swim at the Lake Worth beach when I was a kid and got caught in a riptide. Instinctively, I relaxed and went with the flow and soon got out of it.