Hillsboro Beach has several notable features. First, it is home to the Hillsboro Lighthouse, which was built in 1907 and is the most powerful lighthouse on the eastern seaboard. Along with that powerful warning to shipping, this lighthouse also marks the northern most point of the Florida Reef. Another unique feature is the town’s dedication to their longest continuous inhabitants, nesting sea turtles. Due to the delicate balance between ape and turtle, the good folk of the town have very strict laws on what kind of activates can take place on the beaches where the turtles nest on between March 1st and October 31st. No lighting is allowed either from public or private sources, as that would cause the hatchling turtles to head away from the ocean. Given that, the nature-conscious ape might catch sight of one of these endangered sea creatures if you are lucky. Just keep your distance and let nature have her way and you’ll have a wonderful memory to cherish.

Settled in 1922 and incorporated in 1939, Hillsboro Beach is accessible (obviously) by boat or by a north-south road that is called everything from Atlantic Boulevard to Hillsboro Mile and Florida A1A, depending on which ape you ask. As long as you don’t turn off and try driving underwater, you really can’t get lost once you are there. The nearest accessible airport is Boca Raton Airport to the north, or if you’re driving head up I-95 from Fort Lauderdale.

The town is also a favored vacation home location. For most of the year, the population is around 1,500 residents and doubles that during the winter. Once you see it, you’ll understand why. This is one of those places that just begs the question “what’s the rush” after a long day, or even better, “what’s snow?”