INDIAN RIVER
Where
Sebastian Inlet State Park is located at 9700 S. Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951. Indian River County encompasses a wealth of other beaches as well.
Vibe
Nirvana for surfers, fishermen and outdoor lovers. At this pristine Park, you’ll see surfers from around the world trying their luck atop waves with names like “First Peak” and “Monster Hole,” but the beaches also provide a peaceful place for families, couples, and friends to hunt for seashells and spot turtle nests.
See, feel
Three miles of untouched beaches take center stage at Sebastian Inlet, with a natural backdrop of dunes and two jetties sprawling far out into the Atlantic. The sand is a light-brown, and the Ocean promises nearly-constant waves, which will vary according to tides, wind and offshore systems. If you want to play in the water but prefer to skip the waves, the cove on the north side of Sebastian Inlet offers a protected area with a hard bottom and gentle slope—ideal for kids. The water depth in both the surf and the cove ranges from a few inches to 15 feet.
On or near the beach
Surfing is high on the list of things to do, and swimming, sunbathing and shelling are also popular. The fishing is unbeatable, with Sebastian Inlet and the surrounding waters providing the premier saltwater fishing spot on Florida’s east coast. In the Park, you can also explore the mile-long hiking trail; eat at Jojo's Saltwater Café; kayak the Indian River Lagoon; Scuba dive and snorkel; visit two museums; bicycle; and even camp. Wildlife viewing, plant identification and museum tours are part of the Park’s regular programming.
Accessibility
Beach wheelchairs and a specially designed, floatable wheelchair are available upon request. All the Park’s facilities are accessible. Accessible amenities include picnic tables; grills; beach accesses; marina; wildlife viewing area; the restaurant and gift shops; both museums; the fishing piers and catwalks.
Facilities
Restrooms, visitor center, showers, playground, waterfront pavilions, picnic areas, campground, boat ramp, hiking trail, and two museums: The McLarty Treasure Museum, telling the story of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet; and the Sebastian Fishing Museum, chronicling the area’s commercial fishing industry. Rentals are available from Sunshine Paddle Tours. Call 407-842-0675 for inquiries or visit their website. Jojo's Saltwater Café is coming soon. Salt Water Cowboys bait and tackle is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Wednesdays.
Lifeguards
There are no lifeguards. Swim at your own risk and pay attention to the Warning Flag Signs posted at welcome stations and on the beaches.
Parking
Parking spaces are located throughout the park, on both the north and south side of the Sebastian Inlet. Parking spaces fill quickly on the park's north side during weekends and holidays. You can find additional parking over the bridge on the south side of the park.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEBASTIAN INLET STATE PARK
Q. Where is Sebastian Inlet State Park located?
A. Sebastian Inlet State Park straddles the inlet between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, spanning Brevard and Indian River counties. The main north entrance is at 9700 S. Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951, roughly midway between Melbourne and Vero Beach.
The park has two sides, north and south; one entry receipt is valid for both.
Get directions to Sebastian Inlet State Park on Google Maps.
Q. Is Sebastian Inlet State Park a well-known surf destination in Florida?
A. It's one of the most recognized surf spots on the Atlantic coast. The inlet's two signature breaks, First Peak and Monster Hole, produce some of the most consistent and powerful waves in the state, and serious surfers make the trip specifically to surf here.
The park's 24-hour access means you can get in the water at dawn before the beach fills up. The waves work best with northeast or east swells and southwest or west winds.
More background on the park's surf culture is on the Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park website.
Q. What amenities are available at Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. The park has three miles of beach across its north and south sides, restrooms, outdoor showers, a visitor center, picnic areas, a playground, waterfront pavilions, a boat ramp and a campground.
A bait shop is open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Wednesdays), and food is available on-site at the park concession near the main beach area.
Full fees and facility details are on Sebastian Inlet State Park’s website.
Q. What are the hours and fees at Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. Unlike most Florida state parks, Sebastian Inlet is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Entry fees are $8 per vehicle for multiple occupants, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for pedestrians and cyclists. Boat ramp use is $4 additional.
Call the park at 321-984-4852 for current conditions or to confirm seasonal program schedules.
Q. What are the water conditions at Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. The ocean-facing beaches typically have dynamic Atlantic conditions: surf height, current and temperature shift with wind, tides and offshore systems. The park has no lifeguards on duty, so swimmers are responsible for self-monitoring at all times.
Check the warning flag signs before entering the water. Rip currents are a real hazard at the inlet, especially on outgoing tides and after storms.
The Indian River Lagoon side of the park offers protected flat water suitable for kayaking, snorkeling and calmer wading.
Q. What fishing is available at Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. Sebastian Inlet is widely regarded as one of Florida's top inshore fishing spots. Anglers cast from the A1A bridge catwalks, the north and south jetties and by kayak or canoe in the Indian River Lagoon.
Snook, redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel are common catches, particularly near the jetty structure where tidal flow concentrates bait. Webcams at the North Jetty let you check real-time conditions before heading out.
A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older; the on-site bait shop stocks tackle and can advise on current catches.
Q. Is there camping at Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. Yes. The campground is on the south side of the inlet and offers sites with water and electricity hookups at $28 per night plus tax. Florida residents 65 and older or those with qualifying disability documentation receive a 50% discount on the base site fee.
Reservations are recommended, particularly during winter and holiday weekends when the park is busiest.
Call the park at 321-984-4852 to check availability or to make a reservation.
Q. What museums are inside Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. The park holds two museums, both open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and included in the park entry fee.
The McLarty Treasure Museum, on the south side, documents the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet that wrecked off this coastline during a hurricane. The Sebastian Fishing Museum, on the north side, covers the mullet fishing heritage of the Indian River Lagoon community.
Both are small but specific: the McLarty site includes artifacts recovered from the actual wreck sites, which lie just offshore.
Q. Is Sebastian Inlet State Park good for families with kids?
A. The park works well for families who come prepared. The northern cove has a protected beach with a hard bottom and gentle slope that keeps the water shallow and calm, which is a better fit for young swimmers than the open-ocean surf breaks.
There are no lifeguards anywhere in the park, so parents need to stay attentive in the water. The Indian River Lagoon side is calm enough for young kayakers with supervision.
The treasure museum and a playground near the north side facilities add non-beach options when kids need a break from the water.
Q. What wildlife can visitors expect to see at Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. Manatees are regularly spotted in the lagoon, particularly in winter when they seek warmer water near the inlet. Dolphins patrol both the inlet and the ocean-facing beach. Sea turtles nest along the ocean beaches from May through October, and guided night walks are offered in summer.
The park is also a productive birding stop with reddish egrets, wood storks, brown pelicans, terns and migrating songbirds in spring and fall.
Species lists and seasonal sighting notes are on the Florida Birding Trail page for Sebastian Inlet.
Q. Is Sebastian Inlet State Park accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A. All park facilities are described as ADA-accessible, including beach access paths, restrooms, the visitor center, museums and the fishing jetty area.
Beach wheelchairs, including at least one floatable model, are available at the park. Call 321-984-4852 to confirm current availability and to arrange one in advance.
Accessible parking is available at both the north and south sides of the park.
Q. When is the best time to visit Sebastian Inlet State Park?
A. For surfing, the best waves typically arrive with northeast winter swells from November through March. The park is open 24 hours, so early-morning sessions before crowds arrive are a reliable strategy.
For families and casual beachgoers, fall (September through November) balances warm water, lighter crowds and calmer ocean conditions. Summer is peak season for sea turtle nesting and guided turtle walks. Be aware the that six-month long Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 until Nov. 30, with the peak months being August, September and October.
Holiday weekends fill the campground and parking areas quickly; if your trip lines up with Memorial Day or July 4th, arrive early or book a site in advance.
