Jupiter Inlet

The Jupiter Inlet is a natural opening through the barrier islands of Martin and Palm Beach counties in Jupiter, Florida, that connects the south end of the Indian River Lagoon and the Loxahatchee River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the six primary inlets that provide exchange between the Indian River Lagoon System—a brackish estuarine complex extending along Florida’s east coast—and oceanic waters. The inlet allows tidal flow to regulate salinity levels in nearby estuaries, supports nutrient exchange, and provides a navigable waterway for marine vessels traveling between inland waters and the open sea. To the north of the inlet lies Jupiter Inlet Colony, a residential municipality situated on the southern tip of Jupiter Island. This area forms the base of the inlet's north jetty, a structure designed to control sediment and aid navigation.

On the southern side, a jetty constructed of concrete and artificial rock formations helps to mitigate coastal erosion and manage longshore sand transport. Adjacent to this jetty is DuBois Park, a county-managed public recreation area, along with the contiguous sandy beachfront of Jupiter, which extends approximately 3.4 miles south along the Atlantic coastline. The inlet's northern shoreline is marked by the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, a historic navigational landmark completed in 1860. It stands atop the Jupiter Ridge, a coastal elevation formed during the Pleistocene epoch, composed primarily of consolidated sand and shell-rich coquina limestone. This ridge provided a geologically stable foundation for the lighthouse and continues to shape the area's natural and cultural landscape.