Singer Island Surf Camp Inc., Jupiter

Insider tips on tidal patterns and secret surf spots, borne of a lifetime in local waters, are part of the intangible edge offered by Singer Island Surf Camp Inc., in operation for the past 15 years and run by a born-and-raised native of Palm Beach. As a Palm Beach County native, camp founder and owner Paige Parker doesn’t remember a time she wasn’t closely tied to the water. When she and her neighborhood pals were kids, she recalls, “The ocean was our playground and our babysitter.” And though it's probably true that anyone with a lifeguard certification could lead snorkeling tours and sportfishing charters, Parker knows that her inborn understanding of the local tidal patterns makes a difference.

A staff of surf-seasoned EMTs and firefighters who are also certified in ocean rescue, lifeguard, CPR, and first aid help Parker lead private and group surfing lessons for all ages and experience levels as well as provide paddleboarding and kayaking instruction. And when school’s out, kids aged 6–16 years old can dive into summer camps and surf along Singer Island's reef-and-sandbar system or paddleboard to Peanut Island. A full rental shop, meanwhile, fills out its stock of standard surf gear with standup paddleboards, kayaks, water trampolines, and inflatable water wheels.