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Hutchinson Island is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the Indian River. Located off the coast of Martin and St. Lucie counties, or about 100 miles north of Miami, Hutchinson Island is a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Indian River on the west.
It has crystal-clear shallow waters for paddling and deep channels for boating. Since it’s the most biodiverse estuary in North America, you’re bound to make some manatee or dolphin friends.
Explore 23 miles of pristine sandy beaches – Hutchinson Island actually has over 30 different beaches, each with their own aesthetic. Some are fine sand and others are rocky. Some are good for diving (on 200 year old boat wreckage sites), others for swimming or fishing.
Hutchinson Island is one of the few areas in Florida that allows horses on the beach. Ride a horse down the beach at sunset with your partner or your family, or explore on its back the paths and trails nearby.
This area is also one of the best sea turtle nesting spots in the world, so you’re likely to see the fascinating creatures at certain times of year.
Take a break from the water to enjoy the island’s fine dining, or its cultural events for the whole family. You can check out the Elliott Museum to see the world’s most impressive collection of antique Ford trucks (and baseball cards). Or make a trip over to a Gilbert’s Bar House, a real house of refuge to sailors in the past.
Want to explore more of nature? The Florida Oceanographic Society Coastal Science Center has 40 acres of wooded nature trails.
You can even put that golf club to good use – bring your gold game to the Island Dunes Country Club in the summer, which has a nine-hole course.
