City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Stuart, Florida

Located between Vero Beach to the north and Pompano Beach to the south, Stuart is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World (an official title dating to 1957). Anglers come from all over to reel in sailfish, wahoo, blue marlin and yellowfin tuna. Along with the salt and sand of the Atlantic Ocean, the freshwater of Lake Okeechobee and the inland waterways of the Indian River and Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Stuart offers a charming downtown area, nature preserves, parks and a laid-back coastal vibe. It was recently named among the "Nine Cutest Beach Towns in Florida" by Oyster. 

Photo: Hutchinson Island (Wikimedia)

Whether you’re enjoying the beaches of Hutchinson Island or hanging out at a private boat slip for rent near the St. Lucie River, you’ll want to pencil in some time to visit a few of the area’s attractions. Let’s take a look.

Stuart Heritage Museum

Photo: Stuart Heritage Museum (Facebook)

Stuart Heritage Museum serves as a storyteller of the area’s history. The building itself is an interesting piece of Americana. Constructed out of Dade County pine, it was built in 1901 and features a tin roof and that “old west” front facade. The first floor was used as a grocery store and the second floor as the family home. It was operated as Stuart Feed Supply store until the museum was established in 1988. Enjoy exhibits on sailfishing, agriculture, the Seminole Indians, pioneer furniture, photos and regional artwork.

Sailfish Splash Waterpark

Photo: Sailfish Splash Waterpark (Facebook)

Sailfish Splash Waterpark makes the perfect day trip from a boat dock for rent. There’s a 1,000-foot lazy river, two four-story waterslides and a water playground with jets, slides, sprays and a giant dumping bucket. You can also take swim lessons, rent cabanas and rest in a s
shaded picnic area. The park has an Olympic-class competitive swimming pool for practice and competitions.

Banyan Tree Tunnel

Photo: Discover Martin County (Facebook)

Located on Saint Lucie Boulevard, this tunnel of trees is simply a stretch of road lined by towering banyan trees. Drive, bicycle or walk down the peaceful covered road. Banyans are native to India and were introduced to Florida by Thomas Edison in 1925. We just think it's a cool spot to visit from a boat lift for rent in Stuart. 

Kiplinger Nature Preserve

Photo: Martin County Board of County Commissioners (Facebook)

Kiplinger Nature Preserve, located near the St. Lucie River, is 157 acres of mangroves, scrub oak, pine flatwoods, wet prairies, estuary river and freshwater habitats. Check out great bule herons, snowy egrets, racoons and alligators. There’s a hiking trail with footbridges and a floating dock for fishing or kayak launching.

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

Photo: Florida State Parks (Facebook)

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, found between Hutchinson Island and Jupiter Island, offers 2.7 miles of beautiful beachfront property for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Only accessible by boat (which makes it our top choice to visit from a private boat dock rental), the area is the northernmost range of Florida’s coral reef system and has hard and soft coral reefs. The summer months are nesting time for loggerhead, green and leatherback turtles, so be respectful of the nests. The park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, and there’s a boardwalk through mangroves, live oaks, cabbage palms and wild lime. Even though the park is remote, there are restroom facilities, a shower station and a picnic pavilion.

Road to Victory Military Museum

Photo: Road to Victory Military Museum (Facebook)

Fans of military history will want to visit the Road to Victory Military Museum. A former WWII barracks, the building is located behind Veteran’s Memorial Park and features military weapons, uniforms, vehicles, photographs and other artifacts from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and Iraq and Afghanistan.

Florida Oceanographic Society

Photo: Florida Oceanographic Society (Facebook)

Established in 1964 to inspire environmental awareness and appreciation for the ocean environment, the Florida Oceanographic Society is a 57-acre marine life center on Hutchinson Island. Along with educational tours, there’s a 10,000-gallon stingray aquarium, nature trails, 750,000-gallon game fish lagoon, a sea star touch tank, a sea turtle pavilion and a children’s activity pavilion. Habitats include coastal hardwood hammocks and mangroves.

We hope you’ve found a few things to do the next time you’re in Stuart, hanging out at a private boat slip for rent or cruising up or down the ICW on a Great Loop excursion. Happy boating!