HUTCHINSON ISLAND
Where
Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River, Hutchinson Island spans Martin and St. Lucie counties, promising 23 miles of pristine, uncrowded beaches. Stuart Beach is one of the finest, and is located at 825 NE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996. Here’s where you can find a list of and links to other area beaches.
Vibe
Quaint, historic fishing and surfing hotspot that’s popular but not too crowded. Ranked among the top beaches in the south, family-friendly Stuart Beach is snuggled close to local attractions like the Elliot Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, delivering convenient amenities that range from covered picnic areas to restrooms and beach volleyball courts. Here, you’re likely to see surfers, families throwing frisbees or constructing sand castles, and plenty of room to plant your beach umbrella.
See, feel
Free parking sets the mood when you pull into Stuart Beach, and it just gets better from there.
Paths curve through green areas that are lush with palms and complete with shaded picnic tables, and a cheerful café invites you to take a seat and grab a bite. Seagrapes border the trail across the dunes, revealing the beach, laden with creamy-chocolate colored sand dotted with shells. The water changes hue with the mood of the ocean. Expect some waves, which will vary according to winds, tides, and offshore systems.
On or near the beach
At Stuart Beach, sunning, swimming, and surfing are popular, with all skill levels of surfers and all types of boards welcome. Hunt for seashells—the perfect Martin County souvenir-- snorkel, or windsurf. Fish from shore, or go for an epic charter fishing expedition: Stuart is dubbed the Sailfish Capital of the World. Sharing the same driveway as Stuart Beach, the Elliott Museum celebrates local history and showcases a stunning collection of classic cars, trucks, and baseball memorabilia.
Accessibility
Stuart Beach offers rolling beach wheelchairs, available at the lifeguard station.
Facilities
Amenities at Stuart Beach include covered picnic areas; beach volleyball courts; basketball courts; showers; restrooms; a museum; and the Seaside Cafe, offering breakfast, lunch or bar bites on their outdoor deck, at the bar or on the beach.
Lifeguards
Lifeguards are on duty seven days a week. To find out the number of lifeguard towers open for the day, call Martin County's Beach Information Hotline at (772) 320-3112. Lifeguards are on duty when the conditions flag is displayed on the lifeguard tower.
Parking
Parking is free at Stuart Beach, like all Martin County beaches.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HUTCHINSON ISLAND
Q. Where is Hutchinson Island, and how do I get there?
A. Hutchinson Island is a 22-mile barrier island on Florida's Treasure Coast, divided between Martin and St. Lucie counties and offering pristine, uncrowded beaches across its length. Stuart Beach is one of the finest, and is located at 825 NE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996. Here’s where you can find a list of and links to other area beaches.
Q. What kind of island is Hutchinson Island?
A. Hutchinson Island is one of Florida's least developed barrier islands of comparable size. Roughly 22 miles of Atlantic shoreline run mostly free of high-rise hotels and commercial corridors. The result is an island that feels significantly quieter and less built-up than most Treasure Coast beach destinations.
The sand along the island's beaches has a warm, chocolatey tan tone from the shell-mixed shoreline, and the beach itself is well stocked for shell hunting. Surfing, sea turtle nesting and a small but excellent cluster of cultural attractions near Stuart Beach define the island's personality.
Q. What beaches are available on Hutchinson Island?
A. Martin County operates four public beaches on Hutchinson Island: Stuart Beach (889 NE Ocean Blvd.), Jensen Beach (4191 NE Ocean Blvd.), Bathtub Beach (1585 SE MacArthur Blvd.) and Hobe Sound Beach (1 SE Beach Road). All have lifeguards on duty, and all have free parking.
Each beach has a different character: Stuart Beach is the busiest and has the most adjacent attractions; Jensen Beach is a longer, quieter stretch north of Stuart; Bathtub Beach is a protected lagoon sheltered by a natural reef; Hobe Sound Beach is the most remote and least developed of the four.
For real-time surf, weather and rip current data, use Martin County's Safe Beach Day tool or call Martin County's Beach Information Hotline at 772-320-3112.
Q. What is Bathtub Beach, and how is it different from the other beaches?
A. Bathtub Beach is formed by a natural nearshore reef that sits just offshore and breaks the Atlantic swell before it reaches the beach, creating a calm, shallow lagoon inside the reef. The effect is a significantly quieter water environment than the open ocean conditions at Stuart or Jensen Beach.
The protected lagoon makes Bathtub Beach one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the Treasure Coast; fish, invertebrates and sea grasses are visible just beneath the surface. It's also frequently recommended for young children because of the calm, clear water.
Lifeguards are on duty at Bathtub Beach from 10 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. daily.
Q. What amenities are at Stuart Beach?
A. Stuart Beach has covered picnic areas, beach volleyball and basketball courts, outdoor showers, restrooms and a beachfront food concession. Parking is free.
Beach wheelchairs are available at Stuart Beach and at Jensen and Hobe Sound beaches on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. Call Martin County Ocean Rescue at 772-288-5400 to confirm current availability.
Q. What are the hours and water conditions at Stuart Beach, and when are lifeguards on duty?
A. Stuart Beach lifeguards work from roughly 10 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. seven days a week. The North Tower operates 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the South Tower operates 10 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. Lifeguards are on duty when the conditions flag is displayed on the lifeguard tower.
Hutchinson Island's Atlantic-facing beaches deal in moderate Atlantic conditions: wave height, current and temperature shift with wind, tides and passing offshore systems. Check warning flags at the lifeguard towers before entering the water. For current conditions, use Martin County's Safe Beach Day tool or call Martin County's Beach Information Hotline at 772-320-3112.
Q. What is the Elliott Museum, and is it at Stuart Beach?
A. The Elliott Museum is immediately adjacent to Stuart Beach at 825 NE Ocean Blvd. It holds a large collection of vintage automobiles, trucks and motorcycles alongside baseball memorabilia, local history exhibits, artwork and Americana. Audio guides in four languages are available at no extra charge, and the museum is open Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The museum is operated by the Historical Society of Martin County. Admission is charged; families with SNAP benefits receive free entry for four through the Museums for All program.
Q. What is the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center?
A. The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center at 890 NE Ocean Blvd. is a marine nature center situated between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Operated by a nonprofit established in 1964, the center runs daily aquarium programs, sea turtle encounters, guided nature trails, a Waterworks exploration zone and nighttime sea turtle walks in summer.
Call the center at 772-225-0505 for current hours, admission and program schedules.
Q. Do sea turtles nest on Hutchinson Island?
A. Hutchinson Island is one of the most active sea turtle nesting beaches in Florida, with loggerhead, leatherback and green turtles nesting on the Atlantic shoreline from May through October. The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center runs guided nighttime sea turtle walks during peak season, which is one of the better ways to observe nesting legally and safely.
Florida law prohibits approaching, disturbing or shining lights on nesting turtles. If you're on the beach after dark during nesting season, use a red-filtered light (if any) and stay well back from any active turtle. Nests are marked with stakes along the beach.
Q. Is Hutchinson Island good for families with kids?
A. It's a particularly good fit for families who want a mix of beach time and educational activities. Bathtub Beach's calm lagoon is approachable for young children, and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center's live exhibits and touch tanks hold kids' interest well. The Elliott Museum's vintage cars are a reliable hit for children and adults alike.
All four Martin County beaches have lifeguards on duty, and the beaches are less crowded than comparable beaches in Palm Beach County. The free parking also reduces friction on a family day out.
Q. Is Hutchinson Island accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A. Beach wheelchairs are available at Stuart Beach, Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound Beach at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Call Martin County Ocean Rescue at 772-288-5400 to check current availability before your visit.
The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center and the Elliott Museum both have accessible facilities. Confirm specific access needs with each venue directly before arriving.
Q. When is the best time to visit Hutchinson Island?
A. The Treasure Coast's sweet spot is November through April: temperatures are mild, Atlantic conditions are generally manageable and the island's natural quiet carries over into the shoulder season better than at Florida's more heavily marketed destinations. (The average water temperature in December on Hutchinson Island ranges from 73°F to 77°F (23°C to 25°C). While located on Florida’s Atlantic coast, these ocean temperatures are heavily influenced by the nearby Gulf Stream and provide mild swimming conditions, depending on your cold tolerance.)
Summer brings sea turtle nesting season (May through October) and warm water, but also daily afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity from June through September. If sea turtle walks at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center are the draw, late June through August is peak nesting time.
Hutchinson Island is significantly less crowded than nearby Fort Lauderdale year-round, which makes even peak-season visits more relaxed than the crowd calendars would suggest.
