
Sailfish Splash
Park

Horseback Riding
on Hutchinson Island beach
Photo Courtesy: Tours on Horseback

Florida Cracker
Airboat Rides
See Alligators! Vero Beach FL

Our Town Market Exhibit at the Children's Museum
of the Treasure Coast, photo credit:
Earth Mama's World

Kayak and Paddleboard Tours
on Hutchinson Island
Photo courtesy:
Lisa's Kayaks

Feed the Stingrays
at Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Photo
courtesy of FOCC


Motorized Kayak Tours
Photo courtesy:
Motorized Kayak Adventures

Motorized Kayak Tours
Photo courtesy:
Motorized Kayak Adventures

Sea turtle Walks

Motorized Kayak Tours
Photo courtesy:
Motorized Kayak Adventures

Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit on
Hutchinson Island, Florida


Indian RiverSide Park Interactive Play Fountain




Kayak Fishing
Photo Courtesy South River Outfitters


Kayak Eco Tours
Photo Credit: South River Outfitters

Kayak Eco Tours
Photo Credit: South River Outfitters

Eco Tours
Photo Courtesy Kino
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Sailfish
Splash Waterpark
Sailfish Splash Waterpark features;
1000-foot lazy river, two four-story tall water slides, one a 253 foot closed flume “Speed Slide”,
zero depth entry, 7,326-square foot water playground with jets, sprays, slides and a 300 gallon “Dump Bucket”,
shaded picnic area, WiFi on Competitive Pool Side.
The waterpark’s state-of-the-art competitive area boasts:
50-meter by 25-yard, FINA compliant, temperature-controlled swimming and diving pool that supports USA Swimming sanctioned short-course and long course swim meets, FHSAA swim and diving meets, and water polo competitions.
25-yard temperature controlled teaching and warm-up pool with depths ranging from 3 ½ feet to 6 feet.
The 7,000-square-foot support facility, offers:
Café & concessions, multi-purpose rooms for meetings, training, and parties, cell
phone and family lockers, oversized
restrooms, family changing rooms, shade canopies and
umbrellas throughout Sailfish Splash Waterpark create plenty of shade.
The facility serves patrons
with physical disabilities with fully
accessible entries and mobile pool
lifts.
April, May, Sept - weekends only 10:30 -
5 PM
June 3 - Aug 23 - Open Everyday
10:30 am - 6:00 pm
Sailfish Splash Waterpark
931 SE Ruhnke Street
Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 320-3100
Sailfish
Splash Waterpark
Beach Tours on Horseback
A beach tour on horseback is the only way to explore the
scenic beaches of South Florida.
Let our guides take you, your friends and family on an adventure
you're sure to remember and cherish!
Scenic beach eco tours are available on
Saturdays and Sundays of every month.
Riders from beginners to advanced
welcome. Rides are held at
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park on
Hutchinson Island just 4 miles north of
the St. Lucie Power Plant on A1A.
Scheduled Dates are Sundays year round
on the beach. Other days during the week
may be scheduled by special reservation.
Wooded trail rides are also available at St. Lucie County nature preserves such as Paleo Hammock, Bluefield and Pinelands
Preserves.
Horseback
Riding at Frederick Douglass Park
Hutchinson Island
3800 South Ocean Drive
Fort Pierce FL 34949
Tours on
Horseback
87 Pinewood Lane
Fort Pierce, FL 34947
Phone: 772-468-0101 or 772-519-0237
beachtoursonhorseback.com
Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast,
Jensen Beach Florida
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure
Coast offer children and families a
place to explore and learn through
hands-on, interactive activities. The
Children's Museum exhibits include, Our
Town Market where children will be able
to role play shopping complete with
shopping carts and checkout station, the
Health Center where children learn about
their body systems enjoying
interactivities involving a healthy
heart, digestive system, skeletal
system, and the functions of the brain,
a Car Care Center where children can
change a tire, check underneath the
chassis, role play and use hands-on
tools, a Vet Clinic where children play
the role of veterinarian, Mail Stop
where kids will have an exciting time
sorting and delivering mail, The
Children’s Theatre complete with
costumes for young actors, scripts for
young writers and props, Welcome Aboard
16th Century Spanish Galleon where
children will be able to load and fire
the cannons while keeping the ship safe
from enemies and learn to navigate
through the open seas and chart a
course, Fire Truck a 1923 Fire Truck
where kids pretend to be firefighters,
try on real bunker gear and imagine
driving to a call, Railway All Aboard,
an interactive train exhibit where kids
push the buttons and bring the train set
to life and Come outside and play in the
Children's Interactive Garden and
Learning Landscape, Workshop Stations,
Butterfly Garden, Interactive Themed
Garden Play Structures and Sculptures
plus much more.
Hours
Monday - Wed. 10am - 4pm
Thursday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday – 10am - 4pm
Sunday – Noon - 4pm
General
Admission Members FREE,
Adults/Seniors/Children $8.50, 12 months
to 2 years $4.25, Under 1 FREE
The
Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast
1707 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach FL 34957
Phone: 772-225-7575
Visit:
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure
Coast
Florida Cracker Airboat
Tours
Just 8 Miles off of I95 at the Blue Cypress
recreation area
Vero Beach FL. 772-563-0001
Climb aboard a state-of-the-art, real airplane
engine powered airboat for an unforgettable
airboat ride experience as Florida Cracker
Airboat Tours take you through the marsh and
wetlands ecosystem of St. Johns River in Florida
where you'll see an abundance of wildlife
including alligators and beautiful South Florida
birds. You'll enjoy a guided tour complete with
headsets. You'll not only hear your guide,
Lawrence Kyzer, tell
you all about the Florida wetlands while
pointing out the gators and birds along the way,
you'll actually be able to speak with anyone on
the tour via the talk around headsets and ask
questions! Kids and adults alike will love it!
Purchase Tickets by calling 772-563-0001
for reservations or visit:
Florida Cracker Airboat
Tours
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is located on Hutchinson Island. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, the 57-acre parcel houses the Society's headquarters, nature trails, 750,000-gallon Game Fish Lagoon, Sea Turtle Pavilion, Children's Activity Pavilion, Sea Star Touch Tank Pavilion, Rays on the Reef Ray Pavilion, and the Frances Langford Visitors Center. With its coastal hardwood hammocks and mangrove swamp communities, the site provides excellent opportunities for education and research aimed at increasing visitors' knowledge of these unique environments. Adults $12
Children (3-12) $6
Children under 3 FREE
Members FREE.
Hours of
Operation
Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday
12 - 4 p.m.
Stingray Feeding Program
Monday-Saturday
10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Sunday - 1 p.m.
Sea Turtle Program
Monday-Saturday
11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Sunday - 1:30 p.m.
Game Fish Feeding Program
Monday-Saturday
11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday - 2 p.m.
Guided Nature Trail Walk
When Available
Trails open for self guided until
4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
3 p.m. Sunday
Florida Oceanographic Society
890 Northeast Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34996
772-225-0505
Florida Oceanographic Society
FPL Sea
Turtle Walks
FPL Turtle Walks are conducted Friday and Saturday nights in June and July.
These walks are extremely popular and limited by permit to 50 people. The presentations begin at 9 p.m. at the Energy Encounter. Once a turtle is sighted, the group is taken to the beach to watch her lay her eggs.
Reservations are required. Call 1-800-334-5483. The line opens for reservations on May 1.
The Energy Encounter is located adjacent to the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant on South Hutchinson Island between Ft. Pierce and Stuart.
FPL The Energy Encounter
6501 South Ocean Drive, Highway A1A,
Gate B
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
FPL Sea Turtle Walks
Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Center
The Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Center (ODC) is the public gateway to FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
The
Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Center houses interactive exhibits, small aquaria, a video theater and other displays exploring the marine environment and depicting the research efforts of the Institute. ODC exhibit content is developed in close coordination with the Harbor Branch project managers by a team of award-winning educators and media specialists. Exhibit content is continually evolving to showcase the ongoing research and conservation efforts of Harbor Branch and to give visitors a close-up look at the emerging technologies used by the marine research community.
Free for
individual and family public visits.
Hours of
Operation
Monday - Friday, 10am—5pm
Saturday, 10am—2pm
The Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Center
5600 U.S. 1 North
Fort Pierce, FL 34946
772-242-2400
The Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Center
Indian River Lagoon Boat Tours
Experience Florida's wildlife at it's best with an exciting and education 90 minute Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon and Estuary. Learn about and experience Florida's dolphins, manatee, birds, turtles, and fish,
as well as the Indian River Lagoon and Estuary eco system, mangroves and more with Captain "Chop" as your guide.
As a third generation Audubon Warden, Captain "Chop" is one of the most knowledgeable people on Florida's wildlife and eco system. Great for Kids and Adults alike!
Purchase
tickets at the Indian River Lagoon Boat Tour
Ticket Booth located at Fort Pierce City
Marina, Fort Pierce FL or call 772-464-4445
Indian River
Lagoon Boat Tours
1 Avenue A
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Phone: 772-464-4445
visit:
Indian River Lagoon Boat Tours
Indian RiverSide Park Interactive Play Fountain
Come cool off in Martin County's only interactive play fountain, fun for all ages. This family fun activity is available year round Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The fountain has routine maintenance and cleaning during the year.
Admission is free!
Indian Riverside Park Interactive Play
Fountain
1707 NE Indian River Dr
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
(772) 692-7501
Visit:
Indian Riverside Park Interactive Play
Fountain
Island Princes Cruises
Watch for dolphins, manatee, pelicans, blue herons and egrets in their natural habitat. An adventure for the whole family,
as you cruise the waters of Florida's Intracoastal Waterway
while the Captains narration will bring history to life.
The Captain will acquaint you with the many bird sanctuaries, spoil islands, and other points of interest. The Island Princess offers scheduled sight-seeing cruises and private charter cruises on the St. Lucie River, the Indian River, and the Jupiter Sound. All cruises depart from The Sailfish Marina in the Manatee Pocket of Stuart.
772-225-2100
Sailfish Marina
3585 SE St. Lucie Blvd.
Stuart, FL 34997
visit:
Island Princes Cruises
Jungle Eco-Cruise
Offering the only cruise for exploring the
jungle-like backwaters of the Real Florida.
Common sightings are alligators, turtles and
native birds. See Florida's Wildlife at its
best! 1
1/2 hour Cruise
Reservations Required
North Fork of the St Lucie River Aquatic
Preserve,
River Park Marina
500 SE Prima Vista Blvd,
Port St Lucie, FL
Phone: 772.489.8344
visit:
Jungle Eco-Cruise Lisa's
Kayaks, Guided Kayaking and
Standup Paddle Board Tours
Lisa's Kayaks, Guided Kayaking Tours
and Standup Paddle Board Tours located
in Fort Pierce, Florida, will get you
outside having fun in no time flat.
Tours are available for all levels including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and biking.
Join Lisa's for a fun filled time on the water. The Indian River Lagoon has much to offer including miles of shore line that are perfect for bird sightings.
We also have abundant wildlife and knowledgeable guides to take you into places that you might not explore otherwise.
Sun, surf and fun, that’s what a Florida lifestyle is all about!
Lisa's Kayaks
905 Shorewinds Drive
Fort Pierce, Florida 34949
Phone:772-216-2820
www.lisaskayaks.com
Motorized Kayak Adventures
With experienced guides and small groups, your tour will be fun, relaxing and educational.
You are in complete control as you effortlessly navigate your motorized kayak under the direction of an experienced guide into an eco-system that few have witnessed. Go back in time as you kayak through a densely canopied and ancient mangrove forest. Relax, look, see, listen. Find that peaceful connection with nature and take it with you wherever you may go.
No experience needed.
All you do is relax and steer.
Most tours last between 2 and 3 hours. Tours launch from Fort Pierce and nearby areas that include trips through mangrove canopy forests on the Indian River Lagoon, full moon and sunset tours and inland tours on the north fork of the Saint Lucie River and to the Oxbow Eco Center.
It is an experience unlike anything you have ever encountered.
The tours are an exploration of the spectacular eco-systems of Florida's Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River Estuary System. We offer the best in kayak tours with knowledgeable guides and the best in equipment. All you do is steer.
Eco tours, day tours, sunset tours, full
moon tours are all available.
Motorized Kayak Adventures
1 Avenue A
Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Phone:772-380-6815
motorizedkayakadventures.com
Oxbow Eco-Center
The Oxbow Eco-Center is situated on a
225-acre preserve on the North Fork of
the St. Lucie River and offers a rare
glimpse of “the real Florida”.
A St. Lucie County Environmental
Learning Center, the Oxbow Eco-Center is a place where young and
old alike can discover the mysterious
and hidden life of the forest and river. The preserve at
the Oxbow is a living laboratory, offering year round
educational programs on a variety of nature related
subjects. At the Oxbow, you can join a naturalist on
a guided walk through quiet gardens planted and
nurtured by Mother Nature herself, or journey on your
own through the verdant and wild sanctuary.
The Visiting the Center
houses an Exhibit Hall and Discovery Room, which invite you to use
all of your senses … touching artifacts, listening to bird songs, and seeing some of
Florida’s native reptiles up-close.
Their Centerpiece Exhibit takes you on a wondrous journey down the St. Lucie
River, one of the most diverse rivers in the state,
with more species of fish than any other river in Florida. The life-size exhibit gives
you a unique view of this underwater world as you travel from the river’s genesis
to the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll encounter dozens of fish species, numerous turtles and
crustaceans, and even a life-size manatee with her calf, as you traverse both the
freshwater system and the rich estuary.
You’ll also learn about the land and habitat that surround the river as you gaze up
through a created water line to view native Florida plants and animals, including
nearly a dozen species of birds.
5400 NE St. James Drive,
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Hours of Operation:
Trails: Dawn – Dusk 7 days a week
Center: Tues. – Fri. 12 noon to 5 pm
Sat. 10 am to 5 pm
(772) 785-5833
www.stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow
Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit on
Hutchinson Island
420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL
772-462-FISH (3474) - Group bookings:
772-465-3271
At the
Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit, visitors can explore different Florida marine habitats and learn about the complexity and importance of marine ecosystems. The largest aquarium is a model of a Caribbean coral reef. Other displays include living models of seagrass, mangrove, estuarine and nearshore habitats, as well as a deepwater Oculina coral reef. There are several smaller aquarium displays and a touch tank where you can meet some of our local sea creatures.
Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit
Hutchinson Island
420 Seaway Drive
Fort Pierce, FL 34949
772-462-FISH (3474)
visit:
www.sms.si.edu/SMEE/index.htm
Snorkeling Bathtub Reef, Hutchinson
Island
One of
the best snorkeling reefs the entire
family can enjoy is Bathtub reef on
Hutchinson Island. Just offshore from
Bathtub Beach, you can scuba dive
and snorkel this exceptional worm reef
created by sabellariid worms that cement
together sand and bits of shell to form
porous rocks and ledges. Because of all
the nooks and crannies made by the
worms, the reef makes an ideal home to a
variety of fish and sea creatures and an
ideal place for the whole family to
snorkel. The shallow waters that
surround Bathtub Reef is protected by
the reef itself which means you won't
have to worry too much about crashing
waves or strong currents. At low tide,
the bathtub drains and you'll find you
can walk right out to the reef from the
beach as the water level isn't more than
waist high, making it perfect for the
little ones to experience ocean life in
it's natural habitat. Bring the family,
spend the day at Bathtub Beach and
snorkel Bathtub Reef.
Bathtub
Beach
1585 SE MacArthur Blvd
Stuart, FL 34996
South River Outfitters
Let South River Outfitters be the jump off point for your next adventure. First-timer, no problem. Been there/Done that,
they've got something new for you. South
River Outfitters is adjacent to Halpatiokee Regional Park, a beautiful 513 acre preserve loaded with multi-use trails
that is also on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.
See wildlife Florida is know for:
Alligators, Manatee, Dolphin, Birds,
fish and marine life.
Guided
River Kayak Tours and Kayak Fishing Excursions
are available form South River
Outfitters. Rather have a self guided
tour? South River Outfitters provides
kayak, canoe and bike rentals.
South River Outfitters
7647 Lost River Road
Stuart, FL 34997
Tel: 772-223-1500
visit:
South River Outfitters
Sunshine Wildlife Tours
Experience North America's most diverse estuary. Join Captain Nancy Beaver on a tour of the Indian River Lagoon. Enjoy up close views of Bottlenose Dolphin, manatee, sea turtles, and a vast array of birds.
Use our discovery scopes to view the nursery of life
in the ocean. See the mangroves and the sea grass beds that are responsible for sustaining life in the estuary and understand the importance of maintaining the fragile balance of this ecosystem.
See Bottlenose Dolphin on most tours and Manatee on many tours. We focus on the specific problems facing our Wild Dolphin and Manatee. We are committed to enhancing their quality of life through environmental awareness, education, and stewardship.
Visit Bird Island on every tour. Bird Island is one of the top 10 bird rookeries in Florida. There are 18 bird species roosting and nesting on the island, including threatened and endangered species. The island was recently designated a critical wildlife area by the state.
The tour includes history of the Manatee Pocket, the St. Lucie River, the Indian River Lagoon, and the Intracoastal Waterway. We troll with a small plankton and zooplankton net to fill our discovery scopes and magnify the juvenile life in the estuary.
Tours include
Full day and 1/2 day Private Charters
and Guided Eco Kayak Tours.
Sunshine Wildlife Tours
Pirate's Cove
4307 SE Bayview St
Stuart, FL 34997
www.sunshinewildlifetours.com |