Top Spots for Kayaking on the Treasure Coast

The best spots for kayaking on the Treasure Coast are stunning rivers, lagoons, Intracoastal, and beaches with suitable waters and beautiful scenery. The Treasure Coast’s abundance of waterways and protected preserves make it an ideal location for kayaking in Florida. Below are the top spots for kayaking on the Treasure Coast.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park & Stan Blum Boat Ramp

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park Aerial View

The Stan Blum Boat Ramp is one of the more overlooked places for kayaking on the Treasure Coast. The boat ramps recently got a makeover, making getting in and out of the water easy. The Stan Blum Boat Ramp is at 613 N Causeway, Fort Pierce, Florida.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is open until sundown. Admission is $6 per vehicle for up to eight people, $4 for single-occupant vehicles, and $2 for pedestrians. It’s also one of the most popular places for surfing in Fort Pierce, so there is plenty of outdoor recreation to partake in.

Round Island Park

round island beach park vero beach fl

Round Island Park is located on the Indian River Lagoon and is another great place to kayak on the Treasure Coast. Most people who launch from Round Island are lucky enough to spot manatees and the occasional dolphin. Kayakers also enjoy the park’s beachside and mangrove shoreline.

The kayak launch spot is grassy and sandy, taking kayakers out on a smooth waterway. Several kayak rental spots are also available at the park. Round Island can get crowded, so kayakers who want to avoid the crowds should visit during the week. The park is at 2200 South A1A, Vero Beach, Florida.

>> Read More: Free Things to Do in Vero Beach

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is a fantastic state park located on the north end of Jupiter Island in Stuart, Florida. The park offers one of the best places to kayak on the Treasure Coast. Kayakers can explore rich mangrove forests and see abundant native plants and birds.

The park features a 4.2-mile kayaking trail. It’s an easy and relaxing route for kayakers. Kayakers can paddle around the island and through inlets and channels surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. The park is only accessible by boat. Some locals and tourists find it challenging to reach; however, the beautiful kayak trail makes it well worth the trip. Kayakers should plan a trip around high tide because the trail becomes too difficult at low tide.

MacWilliam Park Boat Ramp

MacWilliam Park Boat Ramp

MacWilliam Park Boat Ramp offers easy access to the Indian River Lagoon. The boat ramp is a popular space for kayakers who plan to fish. The waters are filled with snapper, snook, trout, redfish, and other species. The boat ramps are also sandy, making the water easily accessible.

Kayakers use the MacWilliam Park Boat Ramp to circle Fritz Island and the area off Joe Earman Island Park on the Lost Tree Islands. People who regularly kayak in the area recommend paddling up the east side of Fritz Island to avoid boat wakes. MacWilliam Park Boat Ramp is at 3301-3321 Bridge Plaza Dr, Vero Beach, Florida.

Sebastian River Canoe Launch

Sebastian River Canoe Launch

Kayaking on the Sebastian River can offer an unforgettable experience. The river is tucked between Brevard and Indian River County and is a picturesque and peaceful place to paddle. Most people who kayak on the stunning stretch of river love the experience.

The launch has a well-built dock, but kayakers can also launch from the shore. The kayaking route from the Sebastian River Canoe Launch starts narrow, but the river begins to widen after a mile and a half.

People who prefer to rent a kayak on the Sebastian River should consider the About Kayaks River Rental company. Customers can rent a single kayak for $45 per day or a tandem kayak for $65 per day. The rental fee includes the kayak, life vest, and paddles. The launch site is at 9800 Canoe Launch Cove, Sebastian, Florida.

Sebastian Inlet State Park

sebastian inlet state park

Sebastian Inlet State Park is an incredible place to kayak and surf. The state park is clean and has stunning views. The area provides a great launch spot for canoes, kayaks, and boats. The inlet has a gentle slope where people can quickly get their kayaks into the water.

Boat ramps are available on both sides of the inlet, and the boat ramp fee is $4. Sebastian Inlet State Park is about a six-mile drive north of Vero Beach. It is at 9700 S., Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida.

>> Read More: Best Things to Do in Sebastian, Florida

Humiston Beach Park

Humiston Park Beach Vero Beach

Kayakers who want to paddle on the open ocean should consider Humiston Beach Park. Most kayakers who launch from Humiston take a route north to the Vero Beach pier. It takes about 1.5 miles to paddle to the Vero Beach pier and back. There are plenty of areas around the pier to explore, and it’s possible to see pretty fish and sea turtles.

It’s recommended to kayak at Humiston Beach Park when the water is less choppy. Kayakers should also wait for a day when the ocean is flat with no shore break. Humiston Beach Park is at 3000 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach, Florida.

South Beach Park

South Beach Park Fort Pierce

South Beach Park is another great launch spot for kayakers. It’s located in the heart of Vero Cove. The beach itself is beautiful, with grassy areas and walking paths. Kayakers can spend the entire day exploring both in and out of the water.

Many people visit the beach to launch kayaks for fishing. The water is teeming with fish and is one of the easiest places to catch fish. Kayakers also like the park, which has lifeguards, restrooms, and plenty of parking. It’s at 1702 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach, Florida.

North Causeway Island Park

north causeway park boat ramp

North Causeway Island Park is known for being a nice spot to fish and boat, but it’s also an excellent spot for kayaking on the Treasure Coast. It’s the perfect spot to launch a kayak for a trip to the Spoil Islands. The park is a hidden gem, so it’s a go-to spot for locals who want to avoid the crowds. The waters offer plenty of space to paddle, so kayakers don’t have to worry about bumping into larger boats.

Kayak rentals are also available at North Causeway Island Park, 500 N Causeway, Fort Pierce, Florida.

Oslo Road Boat Ramp

Oslo Road Boat Ramp

The Oslo Road Boat Ramp is a great launch spot for kayaks. Kayakers can explore the edge of the Oslo Riverfront Conservation or make their way up to Crawford Creek. There are also islands in the lagoon that are fun to explore. Shell Island is a favorite and is just north of the launch site.  The Oslo Road Boat Ramp is located just south of the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area. It’s at 260-282 9th St SE, Vero Beach, Florida.

Jungle Trail Kayak Launch

jungle trail vero beach

When locals want to escape the crowds and tourists and kayak in a remote area, they head to Jungle Trail. The kayak launch spot is in Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and is a true treasure for kayakers. There are endless amount trails and wildlife for kayakers to explore from the launch point. Roosevelt Island is a stone’s throw away, and Pelican isn’t far.

It’s a great place to launch, as the area offers a smooth, sandy bottom. Kayakers love the beautiful scenery and exploring all the lagoon has to offer. Jungle Trail Kayak Launch is at 11820 Jungle Trail, Vero Beach, Florida.

Wabasso Causeway Boat Ramp

Wabasso Causeway is a magnet for kayakers, attracting both locals and tourists. There are multiple ramps and plenty of parking. It’s a favorite ramp for many drawn to the beautiful views and the chance to see dolphins and other ocean life. Kayakers can explore the areas around the bridge or navigate their kayak toward one of the small islands, which are fun to explore. The boat ramp is at 967 Bridge Blvd, Vero Beach, Florida.

Bear Point Cove

Bear Point Sanctuary

Bear Point Sanctuary is a beautiful wetland preserve on more than 13 acres located in Hutchinson Island. Kayakers can launch from Bear Point Cove, which leads out into the Indian River Lagoon. The kayak trail has several small docks and natural banks. Bear Point Cove is at 2601 S Ocean Dr, Fort Pierce, Florida.

>> Read More: Full Guide to Kayaking in Fort Pierce

Stuart Sandbar

The Stuart Sandbar is a popular social place for boaters in the St. Lucie Inlet. It’s composed of soft, white sand that stretches for miles and is an excellent destination for kayakers, paddleboarders, and boaters. The natural inlet has warm, calm water, and many kayakers enjoy the mangroves and aquatic life. Plenty of fish species and manatees live in the water, and the water is clear, making it easier to see ocean life.

The Stuart Sandbar is popular among locals as it’s a hidden spot in a secluded location. Kayakers can launch from two different points on the Sandbar. They can launch from Sandsprit Park at 3443 SE St. Lucie Blvd., Port Salerno, or the Stuart Causeway Park at  604 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, Florida.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Many avid kayakers use the Loxahatchee River in Jonathan Dickinson State Park for an adventure. The Loxahatchee is a wild and scenic river with plenty of narrow, twisty areas that make kayaking exciting. The kayaking trail is long at 8.5 miles.

Kayakers on the Loxahatchee should expect to see alligators, ospreys, wading birds, and the occasional manatee or bald eagle. The highlight of kayaking on the Loxahatchee in Jonathan Dickinson is the home and property of Trapper Nelson, which can only accessed by kayak or boat. Jonathan Dickinson State Park is at 16450 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida.

Coral Cove Park

Coral Cove Park is a wonderful place to kayak in Tequesta. The park has 600 feet of guarded beach and 600 feet of Intracoastal waterway. The kayak launch spot is located at the southern extension of the park. The kayaking difficulty level at Coral Cove is easy, making it a great place for paddlers of all levels. Coral Cove Park is at 1600 Beach Road in Tequesta.

Kayak Safety Tips:

Kayak in calm waters. Calm waters are essential for beginner kayakers, as rougher currents can make kayaking challenging and should only be done by experts. Research water and weather conditions before the trip.

Where a life vest and a whistle. Make sure that your flotation device fits snugly, and attach a whistle to your clothing. You can blow the whistle in the event you need help. Kayakers should also bring a headlamp if they plan on kayaking later in the day.

Know your route beforehand. The Treasure Coast has many wonderful kayak routes to explore, and it’s wise to know the route so that you don’t get lost. For longer trips, bring a map and navigation device like a compass.

Stay close to the shore when kayaking on the beach. Kayaking on the beach poses more risk, so staying close to the shore decreases that risk.

Kayak with a friend or companion. Two are better than one when it comes to kayak safety. It’s always safer to have someone present.

If you’re new to kayaking, consider using a kayak tour company to help you explore and increase your safety. If you’re not interested in a kayak tour, paddle in popular areas so other kayakers can assist you in an emergency.

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