There is a moment, right around golden hour, when the boats begin drifting back into their slips at Sailfish Marina, their hulls glowing amber in the fading Florida sun, and the smell of salt air mingles with whatever is sizzling on the grill nearby. That moment alone is worth the drive to Singer Island, the narrow barrier island just a short hop over the Blue Heron Bridge from the mainland. And once you find it, you will wonder how you ever visited West Palm Beach without making this place your first stop.
Sailfish Marina Resort and Restaurant sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway at 98 Lake Drive in Singer Island, tucked just north of the hustle of downtown West Palm Beach but close enough to feel connected to the city’s energy. This is a working marina, which means the atmosphere is authentic in a way that curated waterfront developments simply cannot fake. Charter fishing boats come and go. Liveaboard captains wave from their decks. Pelicans perch shamelessly on dock pilings, unbothered and entirely at home. It is the real Florida waterfront experience, not a theme park version of it.
The restaurant itself is an open-air gem. Tables fan out toward the water, and there is almost always a breeze coming off the Intracoastal. The menu leans hard into fresh seafood, as it should. The fish dip appetizer is legendary among regulars — creamy, smoky, and served with crackers that disappear faster than you expect. The grouper sandwich is generous and properly prepared: flaky white fish, toasted bun, crisp lettuce, and that essential squeeze of lemon. Pair it with a cold local craft beer or one of their tropical cocktails and you have assembled a nearly perfect afternoon.
Beyond the food, Sailfish Marina offers something increasingly rare: access to the water itself. You can book a sport fishing charter right from the docks, heading out into the Atlantic for mahi-mahi, wahoo, or sailfish — the namesake catch of this stretch of coast. Even if fishing is not your thing, sunset cruises depart from here as well, offering a gentle way to watch the sky turn pink and purple over the Palm Beaches without having to do any of the steering yourself.
The marina also has rooms and suites if you want to make a full getaway of it, waking up to the sound of rigging and the occasional osprey call. But even a half-day visit earns its place in your West Palm Beach itinerary.
Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to linger. Sailfish Marina has a way of making time feel generous and slow, which is exactly what a Florida waterfront should do.
