Port St. Lucie Beaches: Where to Go Nearby
In this article
"Port St. Lucie does not have ocean beaches inside the city. The beaches people mean are on Hutchinson Island, across the Indian River Lagoon, in Jensen Beach, Stuart and Fort Pierce. Most are reached by State Road A1A, the main road along the island. This guide lists the beaches with real addresses and where to double-check details.
Why There Is No Beach in the City
The Indian River Lagoon runs between the mainland and the coast. A lagoon is a long, shallow body of water between the mainland and a barrier island. The barrier island here is Hutchinson Island, and the Atlantic Ocean is on its far side. So the sand and surf are one water crossing away from town. You can read more about the island on Wikipedia's North Hutchinson Island page, and a local view on the Treasure Coast guide to Port St. Lucie beaches.
Martin County Beaches
Martin County lists several beaches on its own beaches page. Here are the ones with addresses from that page:
Jensen Beach: 4191 NE Ocean Blvd.
Stuart Beach: 889 NE Ocean Blvd.
Bathtub Beach: 1585 SE MacArthur Blvd.
Hobe Sound Beach: 1 SE Beach Road.
Each beach has its own feel and its own rules. The county page is the best place to check parking, hours and any fees. Do that before you load the car.
St. Lucie County Beaches
Lucie County, where Port St. Lucie is located, also has beaches on Hutchinson Island. The county's beaches page names Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, Walton Rocks Beach, Pepper Park and Waveland. We have not verified street addresses for these, so use the county page for directions and details.
Getting to the Island
You do not need to memorize a route. Just remember three things.
Head toward the coast using a main road like Port St. Lucie Blvd or Crosstown Pkwy, which both lead toward U.S. 1.
Cross the Indian River Lagoon to the island.
Follow State Road A1A, the main road for the length of Hutchinson Island, to your beach.
Put the beach address in your phone's map app. It will pick the route for you. Roads can have work zones, so check a map app right before you leave.
How to Pick Your Beach
With so many names, it helps to ask a few simple questions before you choose.
First, how far do you want to go? Martin County's list includes Jensen Beach, Stuart Beach, Bathtub Beach and Hobe Sound Beach. St. Lucie County has its own list. Put the addresses in a map app and see which ones match your plans.
Second, who is coming? A group with small kids may want different things than a couple with a free afternoon. Read each county page for what the beach offers, such as parking, hours and fees. Do not guess. County pages are the source that stays up to date.
Third, what else do you want to do? Stuart and Jensen Beach are towns as well as beach names, so you may find places to walk or eat nearby. Restaurants and shops change, so confirm hours before you go.
A Note on Names and Addresses
Beach names can be confusing. Jensen Beach is both a town and a beach. Stuart Beach is a beach in Stuart. Pepper Park and Waveland are on the St. Lucie County list. When you search a map app, type the full street address from the county page. That keeps you from landing at the wrong spot.
We also left a few things out on purpose. If a spot has rules we could not confirm, we point you to the county page instead of guessing. We would rather send you to the real source than hand you a wrong fact.
A Beach You Can Reach Only by Boat
Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is a special spot, and the state says you can reach it only by boat. If you own a boat or book a tour, it can be a great day on the water. Read the state park page for the latest on how to visit.
Water Without Leaving Town
If you want to be near water but not drive to the coast, try the Port District. It is at 2454 SE Westmoreland Blvd, on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The city describes a waterfront about 1.5 miles long, with a Riverwalk of about 4,300 feet. It is not an ocean beach. It is a good place for a walk with a view. See the city's Port District page.
For more ideas, see our full list of things to do in Port St. Lucie.
Make a Beach Day Easy
A few simple habits can help.
Check the county website for hours and fees.
Pack water, snacks and sunscreen.
Bring a hat and towels.
Go early if you want an easier time finding a spot.
Look at the weather forecast before you leave.
If you like mixing a beach with other fun, think about golf or shopping on the same weekend. We cover those in our guides to golf courses in Port St. Lucie and the Port St. Lucie shopping guide.
If You Are Moving From Farther South
If you work or have family in the Palm Beaches, our guide to Port St. Lucie to West Palm Beach names the roads and exits you would use. And our neighborhoods guide can help you pick an area.
Where Port St. Lucie Spot Lots Fits In
Port St. Lucie Spot Lots is a set of individual homesites on different streets across the city. The homes are one-story, concrete block homes in five plans: Cali, Lakeside, Madison, Covington and Camden. Because each lot is on its own street, some are closer to the water and the coast roads than others. We cannot say that for every lot, so ask us about a specific one.
Here are a few plans to look at:
The Cali is a 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with about 1,828 square feet.
The Madison is a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with about 2,020 square feet and a 3-car garage.
The Covington has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths and about 2,490 square feet.
You can see all five on the community page. If a beach day is high on your list, call 561-704-0091. We will talk through which lots make sense and what else you want nearby. If another community or builder fits you better, we will tell you that too.
Common Questions
Does Port St. Lucie have a beach?
No ocean beaches are inside the city. The ocean beaches people mean are on Hutchinson Island, across the Indian River Lagoon, in Jensen Beach, Stuart and Fort Pierce.
What is the closest ocean beach to Port St. Lucie?
That depends on where you start. The ocean beaches people mean are on Hutchinson Island, in St. Lucie County and Martin County. See the county beaches page and the Martin County beaches page.
What road runs along Hutchinson Island?
State Road A1A is the main road for the length of the island. You can use it to move between beaches.
Can I visit St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park by car?
No. The state says it is reachable only by boat. Check the state park page for how to plan a visit.
Where can I walk by the water without going to the coast?
Try the Port District at 2454 SE Westmoreland Blvd. It has a Riverwalk of about 4,300 feet along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Do Spot Lots homes sit near the beach?
Spot Lots homes are on individual homesites across Port St. Lucie. Each one is different. Call us and we will tell you what we know about the lots available today.
Ready to find a Spot Lots homesite that fits your beach plans? Call 561-704-0091 or schedule a visit here."