Find Your Adventure Along the Treasure Coast
The treacherous reefs off Florida’s Atlantic Coast have caused sailors to shipwreck for centuries. Spanish explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries crashed and sank galleons laden with gold around the St. Lucie Inlet, giving the surrounding area its name, the Treasure Coast. To this day, visitors still scan the coast for sunken treasure. Whether you find gold or not, you’re sure to discover something fantastic along this beautiful coastline.
Exploring State Parks
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is named after a Quaker merchant who was shipwrecked off the Treasure Coast in 1696. With almost 11,500 acres, the park is located several miles inland off the southeastern shore and is home to 13 unique ecological communities. Picnicking, kayaking, and canoeing are just a few of the activities waiting for you along the beautiful Loxahatchee River. If you feel like relaxing, try a guided boat tour or horseback ride, or just sit and enjoy the outdoors.
The Fort Pierce Inlet was built in the early 1900s after a storm closed in the natural inlet. During World War II, the area was a training ground for Navy crews. Today, the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is a half-mile stretch of breathtaking beach where visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities including snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving.
Avalon State Park is a great place to catch a glimpse of endangered sea turtles. Loggerhead, Atlantic green, and leatherback sea turtles nest on the beach here during the spring and summer months. This park is also ideal for ocean activities like swimming, fishing, and snorkeling.
Fishing Fever
Fishing opportunities off the Treasure Coast are endless. You can hook sea trout, redfish, tarpon, and more along the Indian River Lagoon, the nation’s most biologically diverse estuary. If you’re ready for some bigger game, sail into the Gulf Stream for swordfish, tuna, and sailfish. St. Lucie is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” and the peak months are December through March. Many natural and artificial reefs along the Treasure Coast make the area ideal for diving for snapper, grouper, and lobster, too. If you don’t have a boat, it’s no problem. There are plenty of boat rentals, charters, and experienced guides to help with your fishing excursion.
Museums and More!
Fort Pierce is recognized as the birthplace of the U.S. Navy Frogman. Expl