The Original Swim to the Wreck is one of Vero Beach’s most beloved Fourth of July traditions, drawing nearly 1,000 swimmers, paddlers, and spectators to the beach behind the Ocean Grill and Costa d’Este for a one-of-a-kind Independence Day celebration. The event centers on a roughly quarter-mile open-water swim out to the S.S. Breconshire, a historic shipwreck that has rested on the ocean floor for more than 130 years, where participants gather around a flag posted on the wreck for a champagne toast in honor of the occasion.
Started by the Sunrunners group with fewer than 20 participants, this free community event has grown into a cherished Vero Beach event that welcomes everyone. You don’t have to be a strong swimmer to join in. Kayaks, paddleboards, and floats are all encouraged, partly to help ferry the bubbly out to sea. Masks and snorkels are welcome, and on most days the water is clear enough to see the bottom the entire way. It’s a family-friendly, BYOB gathering with a laid-back spirit that perfectly captures the joy of summer on the Indian River County beaches. Parking is available at Sexton Plaza. Swimmers are asked not to stand on the wreck, preserving this remarkable historic site for future generations to enjoy.