Discover Martin County, FLA!
About Martin County – Conveniently located on Florida’s East Coast, Martin County is part of an area known as the Treasure Coast…a real Florida gem that celebrates small town life and that hard-to-find old Florida feel. Martin County boasts a beautiful natural landscape from ocean, to river, to lake and everything in between! Martin County operates 74 park facilities throughout the county including Sailfish Splash Waterpark, Indian RiverSide Park and the Mansion at Tuckahoe.
LOCATION & SIZE
• 100 miles north of Miami
• 129 miles south of Orlando
• 250 miles south of Jacksonville
• 330 miles south of Tallahassee
• 12-85 feet above sea level
• Land Area – 556 square miles
• Water Area – 209 square miles
CLIMATE
Mean Average Temperature ……………..74°F
Average Summer Temperature …………82°F
Average Amount of Sunshine ……………70%
Average Ocean Temperature …………74.3°F
There are several distinct areas within the county, each having a special draw and offering unique, authentic experiences. Learn a bit more about those areas below:
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STUART/ SEWALL’S POINT
Stuart, the county seat, also known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World” because of the many sailfish found off the coast of Martin County, is located along the banks of the St. Lucie River and west of the Indian River near the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean. Stuart is also located on the eastern point of the Okeechobee Waterway, a 54-mile long waterway and Florida’s only cross-state canal, which extends from the Atlantic Ocean in Stuart to the Gulf of Mexico in Ft. Myers, giving Stuart the nickname of “The Panama Canal of Florida.” Sewall’s Point is located on a peninsula with the Indian River (Intracoastal Waterway) to the east and the St. Lucie River to the west. This area offers a wide array of activities, including waterfront and sidewalk cafes, Zagat-rated restaurants and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Stuart’s pristine landscaped streets and astonishing skyscraper-free views helped it to be named “The Most Beautiful City” by America in Bloom in 2008 and more recently in 2014, Stuart was listed as one of the “Top Ten Beach Towns in Florida” by the Huffington Post. Here you will find working studios and art galleries, antique shops and museums that add to the small town charm. Residents and visitors alike are invited to come feel the local flavor at the weekly Green Market, monthly waterfront jazz concerts, antique car shows and art festivals providing color and fun throughout the year. The landmark Lyric Theatre, listed on the National Historic Registry and built in 1926 as a silent movie house, brings a full slate of concerts, shows and cultural events to the area.
Adventurers wanting to get back to nature will find an array of outdoor options in the area, including kayaking, hiking, biking and birding options or discovering the pristine and often deserted beach at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park.
A natural gem in this area is Halpatiokee Regional Park: The 180-acre park is situated along the banks of the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and features numerous sporting fields, tennis courts, a playground, covered skating rink and miles of trails. The park is also the home of South River Outfitters Canoe and Kayak Livery Service.
Also located in Stuart is the NEW Sailfish Splash Waterpark a great activity for the whole family! This state-of-the-art complex is open seasonally to the public from March –September and includes:
•1,000-foot lazy river.
•Two, four-story 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
•Plenty of deck space
•700 lounge and deck chairs
•Private cabanas
•A gift and sundries shop
Finally, take a romantic stroll along Stuart’s Riverwalk and enjoy the scenery or gaze upon the Roosevelt Bridge, voted one of the most “Spectacular Bridges Around the World” by Travel and Leisure Magazine.
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PALM CITY
Palm City is just west of the ocean and Stuart, surrounded by lots of waterways yet near the Turnpike and I-95. Popular with families, Palm City offers several breathtaking parks including:
Leighton Park: Located at the base of the Palm City Bridge on the St. Lucie River, it offers a playground, picnic tables, fishing pier, boat ramps, grills, scenic walking path and parking.
Jock Leighton Park: Has a full skate park, playground and several pavilions.
Lance Corporal Justin Wilson Memorial Park: Located at 2050 SW Mapp Road, the park has sidewalk access, restrooms, four playgrounds, picnic tables, shelters, an observation tower, nature trail, numerous sporting fields, tennis courts, racquetball courts, a basketball court and area to play a classic game of horseshoes.
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PORT SALERNO
The historic small-town fishing village of Port Salerno blends local color with art galleries, working artist studios and waterfront dining, featuring locally-caught seafood, as well as land lover fare. Port Salerno is defined by the Manatee Pocket, a picturesque bay which extends from Port Salerno to the St. Lucie Inlet and is fed by several creeks including Salerno and Manatee. This small community was originally the hub for the South Florida commercial fishing industry. Now a working waterfront and fishing fleet provides fresh seafood to local restaurants and markets, as well as the Port Salerno Seafood Festival, which is held on the public docks and neighborhood streets the early part of every year. Port Salerno also welcomes “captains of industry” from around the world, who come to the area every year for world-class sport fishing tournaments that are based out of marinas and parks located on the Manatee Pocket. Launch your boat or paddleboard from Sandsprit Park to take in the stunning waterways. Sandsprit Park’s amenities include bike path access, boat ramp, fishing access, fishing pier, picnic sites, playground and restrooms.
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INDIANTOWN
Originally established by the Seminole people as a trading post, Indiantown is a small, quiet town about 15 miles west of Stuart and 8 miles north of the Palm Beach County line. Indiantown is surrounded by citrus groves and cattle ranches. Unique to the rest of Martin County, Indiantown is situated in the heart of Florida’s cattle and citrus country. Here the charmingly restored Seminole Inn captures the twilight grandeur of “Old Florida.” Nature lovers can enjoy the great outdoors at Dupuis Reserve State Forest, J & R Outfitters or Allapattah Flats. Indiantown is a short drive to the shores of Port Mayaca where you can see a waterfront sunset while still on the East Coast. Indiantown is also home to Payson Park, one of the top Thoroughbred horse racing facilities in the United States.
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JUPITER ISLAND/TEQUESTA
On the southern border of Martin County sits Jupiter and Tequesta. Jupiter is rich in history and Florida lore, with the earliest known records of the Jupiter Inlet dating back to 1565. Jupiter Island is a unique barrier island bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, the west by the Intracoastal Waterway, the Jupiter Inlet to the south and the St. Lucie Inlet to the north. In the 1800’s Jupiter’s most identifiable landmark, the Jupiter Lighthouse, was erected. The lighthouse stands 105 feet tall atop a 46-foot hill on the north shore of the Jupiter Inlet. The land that is now Lighthouse Park was once a part of Fort Jupiter, a military installation that was formed during the Seminole Indian Wars.
Today Jupiter is still famous for its beautiful beaches, the Loxahatchee River and Intracoastal Waterway. The town enjoys a vibrant cultural life and rich history, is home of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum and hosts several annual arts and entertainment festivals. Town and County parks also provide recreational facilities for team sports like baseball, basketball and soccer, tennis courts, an aquatic center and boat ramps to access the Intracoastal Waterway.
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HUTCHINSON ISLAND
Hutchinson Island is home to miles of pristine and uncrowded beaches. The perfect getaway for the beach lover and water enthusiast where you can surf, boat, sail, kite-surf, dive and snorkel. Beaches in Martin County offer free parking. Due to the County ordinance on building height, you are offered an unencumbered skyline with breathtaking views of the ocean. South Hutchinson Island extends from the Fort Pierce Inlet in St. Lucie County to the St. Lucie Inlet in Martin County, with three causeways providing access to and from the island.
History and culture are abundant at the newly-renovated Elliott Museum. The mission of the Elliott Museum is to inspire creativity through exhibitions and programs about art, history and technology for the people who live in and visit the Treasure Coast. Named after prolific inventor Sterling Elliott, the museum hosts a dynamic and interactive collection of antique automobiles, vintage boats, an impressive baseball collection and a deep trove of Treasure Coast histories and stories sure to delight all ages. In addition, the museum is proud to display an array of traveling exhibits designed to challenge and inspire families and children.
The Elliott Museum also operates the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island, Martin County’s oldest building and the only life-saving station of its kind still in existence. Travel back in time as you imagine how difficult life was on this outpost and learn about the many dramatic sea rescues that have taken place over its 120-year history. For those wanting to experience a one-of-a kind underwater experience, make plans to dive the Wreck of Georges Valentine, Martin County’s only underwater archaeological preserve and an underwater site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Another must-see attraction is the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, located on Hutchinson Island. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, the 57-acre property houses the Florida Oceanographic 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.
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HOBE SOUND
Unique in so many ways, Hobe Sound sits in the most environmentally sensitive area of southeastern Martin County. Here you can discover an understated elegance. With its collection of antique shops, funky eateries art galleries and nature parks, Hobe Sound embodies the definition of small beach town charm. Enjoy a relaxing day at Hobe Sound Beach or explore the gem known as Jonathan Dickinson State Park. This park teems with wildlife in 13 natural communities including sand pine, scrub pine, flatwoods, mangroves and river swamps. Winding through the expansive park, the Loxahatchee River is Florida’s first federally-designated Wild and Scenic River. Ranger-guided tours of the 1930’s pioneer homestead of Trapper Nelson are available year-round. The park also offers both paved and off-road biking, equestrian and hiking trails, boating, canoeing and kayaking along the river. Not often thought of when it comes to coastal counties, you can also try your hand at freshwater fishing along the riverbank or from a boat. This park offers two full-facility campgrounds and a primitive campground for your enjoyment.
The Hobe Sound Nature Center, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting an environmental awareness in people of all ages. The Hobe Sound Nature Center has been located in the Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge for over 40 years and offers both on and off-site native wildlife presentations and field experiences to local natural areas. There are two trails on the refuge including one opening up to the Indian River Lagoon where one can grab some sun or go for a kayak ride. The Nature Center exhibit features over 20 native, live animals including snakes, crocodile and a skunk.
Another must-see hidden gem is Blowing Rocks Preserve. Owned by The Nature Conservancy, it contains the largest Anastasia limestone outcropping on the state’s east coast. Breaking waves spray plumes of water through erosion holes, making for spectacular pictures. The spray can reach heights of 50 feet; it is this distinctive spectacle that earned the limestone outcropping’s name. The limestone outcropping also encompasses coquina shells, crustaceans and sand. The preserve also features several coastal ecotones, including maritime hammocks, mangrove wetlands and beach dunes. Common native species include sea grapes, gumbo limbo and Sabal palms. The preserve includes an educational center, native plant nursery, boardwalk, oceanside path and a butterfly garden. The Hawley Education Center features rotating natural history and art exhibits, and offers environmental education classes and workshops. A boardwalk along the Indian River Lagoon features interpretive signs about the plants, wildlife and area environment.
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JENSEN BEACH
Jensen Beach is a quiet ocean and riverfront town with beautiful beaches, great fishing and a quaint downtown with a small town pace. Historic downtown Jensen Beach offers charming cottages where local artisans display and sell original artwork. From the moment you enter the historic downtown area of Jensen Beach, the town’s “Pineapple Capital of the World” heritage becomes strongly evident. Charming Florida cottages lined with picket fences and carved pineapples showcase local artists and their works. Surrounded by historic porch-fronted homes, Jensen Beach offers five-star dining and family eateries sporting Caribbean colors and motifs which exude a Key West style. The variety of small, locally owned shops provide a wide array of charming shopping experiences. Every Thursday, locals and visitors alike head downtown for Jammin’ Jensen — a streetside affair full of live entertainment, food and fun.