Munyon Island facts for kids

Munyon Island is a cool place located in the Lake Worth Lagoon Estuary in North Palm Beach, Florida. It's part of the amazing John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

A Look Back: Munyon Island's History

Munyon Island was once called Nuctsachoo by the Seminole people. This name means "Pelican Island." It's believed that a very large group of wading birds, like herons, used to nest here. This nesting area is called a rookery.

The first person known to live on Munyon Island was a man named Rodgers in 1884. People said he was a bit eccentric, meaning he had unusual habits. He was like a "Robinson Crusoe" character, living in a tent. He earned money by catching and selling green sea turtles from Lake Worth.

Later, in 1892, the Pitts family bought the island. They built a two-story house there.

In 1901, the Pitts family sold the island to Dr. James M. Munyon. Dr. Munyon built a big hotel called the Hotel Hygeia in 1903. It was named after the Greek goddess of Health. This hotel had five stories, twenty-one rooms, and eight bathrooms! Wealthy people from the North who were feeling sick would come to Palm Beach to get better. They would stay at the hotel and drink "Dr. Munyon's Paw-Paw Elixir." This drink was mostly made from fermented papaya juice, which he bottled right on the island. Sadly, the hotel burned down in 1917. After that, almost no one lived on the island.

In 1955, John D. MacArthur bought the island. Then, in 1981, the State of Florida took ownership.

Exploring Munyon Island by Kayak

The shallow water around Munyon Island is a popular spot for kayakers. You can rent kayaks at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. The park also has a special place to launch your kayak into the water. Be careful of the tide! When the tide is low, the water becomes a shallow mud flat. This means it's too muddy and shallow to paddle through.

The island does not have bathrooms. However, it does have picnic tables and grills, which are great for a day out!

Wildlife Around Munyon Island

Munyon Island is home to lots of cool wildlife. In the water, you might see blue seagrass. In the air, look for beautiful birds like the great blue heron and the little blue heron.

The waters around the island are full of fish. You can find mojarras, sardines, mullet, pinfish, and snapper. The iguana has also made a home here and is now very prolific, meaning there are many of them.

It's very important to be careful with the seagrass around Munyon Island. It's a vital part of the ecosystem. Damaging the seagrass can lead to fines, so always treat it with care!

Images for kids

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  Munyon Island, Florida Panorama