What sets Bathtub Beach apart from others is its unique reef system, created by tube-building Sabellariid sea worms. This ecosystem is home to over 500 marine creatures, including endangered sea turtles and native fish species.
Because of the reef, the beach experiences a distinctive “bathtub effect” during calmer seasons, particularly in spring and summer, enhancing the recreational experience for visitors to Hutchinson Island.
Lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The fragile nature of the reef system necessitates periodic restoration efforts due to the impact of ocean energy. Bathtub Beach is currently undergoing a temporary closure for a scheduled renourishment project, initiated every three years as part of the county’s ongoing efforts in coastal resilience. This measure aims to address erosion challenges posed by various environmental factors such as weather systems, storms, waves, tides, and currents.