JENSEN BEACH
Where
Jensen Sea Turtle Beach is located at 4191 NE Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Vibe
Friendly, natural getaway by a quaint village with a small-town pace. On this family-friendly beach, you’re likely to see kids tossing frisbees, couples relaxing in beach chairs, and groups of friends frolicking in the surf. It’s not too crowded mid-week and gets high marks for cleanliness and convenience. The nearby town of Jensen Beach, formerly known as the “Pineapple Capital of the World,” has a tropical feel, with quirky mom-and-pop shops and eateries decked out in Caribbean colors.
See, feel
With rolling dunes; a backdrop of palms, seagrapes and sea oats; and no high rises to mar the views, Jensen Beach is a treat for the eyes. Fairly narrow, its sand is cocoa colored, coarse and dotted with shells. You should consider water shoes.
Expect some waves, which will vary according to winds, tides, and offshore systems.
On or near the beach
Perfecting your tan and kicking back under a colorful umbrella are fine ways to spend the day at Jensen Beach. Here, you can cool off with a splash in the waves, take a stroll by the water to search for seashells, or challenge your friends to game of beach volleyball. To amp up the thrills, book a surf lesson, or visit nearby Stuart for some of the best, most consistent kiteboarding in the state of Florida, offering conditions suitable for beginner through advanced riders. Savor the moments over a picnic by the Atlantic.
Accessibility
Jensen Beach offers beach wheelchairs at the lifeguard stations, free of charge on a first come, first served basis. The beach is ADA Accessible.
Facilities
Amenities at Jensen Sea Turtle Beach include showers, restrooms, picnic areas with grills, pavilions, sand volleyball courts, and a concession stand.
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. Here’s where you can check out current conditions online: safebeachday.com/county/martin-county/
Parking
Abundant free parking.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JENSEN BEACH
Q. Where is Jensen Beach?
A. Jensen Beach is on Florida's Treasure Coast in Martin County, north of Stuart. The community sits on the mainland along the Indian River Lagoon, and its ocean beaches are across the causeway on Hutchinson Island.
The main public beach is Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, a name it earns, since this coast is one of the most significant nesting stretches in the country. Jensen Beach Park is at 4191 NE Ocean Blvd. See Martin County's beaches page.
Q. Are there lifeguards?
A. Yes, at the guarded county beaches, staffed seven days a week. The number of towers open changes day to day with staffing and conditions.
Martin County Ocean Rescue posts real-time beach conditions through its Safe Beach Day tool, which has replaced the old beach information hotline, so check it before you go. Lifeguards watch the water only when a flag is flying, so swim near a staffed tower, and treat unguarded beaches and after-hours as swim-at-your-own-risk. See Martin County's beaches page for the tower locations and hours.
Q. What are the water conditions like?
A. This is the open Atlantic, which tends to have more waves than the Gulf. Conditions change daily, and rip currents can occur even when the ocean appears calm.
Watch the posted beach warning flags and follow lifeguard guidance. Here’s where you can check out current conditions: safebeachday.com/county/martin-county/
Q. What about sea turtles?
A. Nesting season in Martin County runs March 1 through Oct. 31, and at least three species nest on these beaches: loggerhead, green and leatherback. Nests are roped off during the season for protection.
The county's rules are specific: do not touch or disturb nesting turtles, hatchlings or nests, all of which are protected by state and federal law; avoid flash photography on the beach at night; turn off patio lights or close blinds so indoor light does not shine onto the sand; and fill in holes and knock down sand castles before you leave, since both can trap hatchlings. See Martin County sea turtle protection for full guidance.
Q. What amenities are at the beach?
A. Jensen Beach Ocean Park has restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic areas with grills, pavilions, sand volleyball courts and a concession stand.
It is a full-service county beach park rather than a bare access point, which makes it a practical choice for a whole day.
Q. Can I have a bonfire on the beach?
A. Yes, but only under specific conditions. Bonfires are allowed at designated fire pits at Jensen Beach, a permit is required, and fires must be out by 11 p.m.
Fires are not permitted during sea turtle nesting season, which runs March 1 through Oct. 31, so in practice this is a late-fall and winter activity. Confirm current permit requirements with Martin County before planning one.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. Not to the guarded beaches. Dogs are not permitted at Martin County's guarded beaches, including Jensen Sea Turtle Beach.
Leashed dogs are allowed at several unguarded county beaches. The nearest dedicated off-leash option is Walton Rocks Beach, a 24-acre dog beach on South Hutchinson Island. Note that it is in St. Lucie County, not Martin County, and has no lifeguards.
Q. Are the beaches accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
A. Yes. Martin County Ocean Rescue runs a beach wheelchair program, with lightweight all-terrain chairs available to help visitors with mobility limitations get onto the sand.
Jensen Beach Ocean Park also has accessible restrooms and paved parking close to the beach approach. Contact Martin County Ocean Rescue ahead of your visit to arrange a chair; see the county beaches page.
Q. What can I do besides swim?
A. Surfing, surf fishing, shelling, beachcombing and birdwatching are all popular, and the volleyball courts see steady use.
On the lagoon side, the Indian River Lagoon is one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America and a good place for kayaking, paddleboarding and manatee watching.
Q. Where can I go fishing?
A. There is surf fishing along the beach and lagoon fishing on the Indian River side, plus nearby causeway and jetty spots.
A Florida saltwater fishing license may be required; check current rules on the FWC saltwater fishing licenses page before you cast.
Q. Where can I eat, and what's nearby?
A. Downtown Jensen Beach on the mainland has a walkable strip of restaurants, bars and shops with a charming, small-town feel, and there is a concession stand at the beach park itself.
Stuart's historic downtown is a short drive south, and the House of Refuge and Bathtub Reef Beach are farther south on Hutchinson Island.
Q. When is the best time to visit?
A. Winter and spring bring warm, drier weather and the area's busiest season. Summer is hot and humid with the warmest water and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
If turtle activity interests you, the nesting season runs March through October. Cooler months can be too chilly for comfortable swimming, so check the forecast and posted beach warning flags before you go.
