It only takes one dip in the warm, clear waters on the coast of Martin County, one look at the sea life under the surface, a short stroll on a beach where endangered sea turtles have made their nests, a few minutes gliding down a river teeming with wildlife Florida is known for.
It’s nearly impossible to spend time in these places without starting to feel like you want to help protect them, and, with a little planning, you can enjoy the best nature has to offer while having a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly vacation.
ECO-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS
Hobe Sound
To visit Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is to experience Southeast Florida at its wildest and most unspoiled. The refuge, about15 miles southeast of Stuart, boasts the largest segment of undeveloped beach in the region and is a vital nesting area for sea turtles and home to dozens of other threatened or endangered species. The Hobe Sound Nature Center, located at the refuge’s headquarters, provides educational activities including scrub tours, summer camps, and turtle walks.
Blowing Rocks
Over on Jupiter Island,Blowing Rocks Preserve is a Martin County must-see. The massive, craggy rocks—which happen to make up the East Coast’s largest outcropping of Anastasia limestone—combined with crashing ocean waves result in the phenomenon that gives Blowing Rocks its name: geysers that can reach as high as 50 feet.
Wildlife
In Northwestern Martin County, Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area encompasses nearly 21,000 acres of protected wildlife habitat, which makes it perfect for wildlife viewing, especially for wood storks, crested caracaras, and sandhill cranes. An even closer look at South Florida’s wild animals can be found at theTreasure Coast Wildlife Center inPalm City, which helps to rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife and offers a number of educational programs for the public as well as opportunities to see the animals in their care.
St. Lucie Inlet
Some eco-friendly attractions, like St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park in Stuart, require visitors to leave their cars behind. Accessible only by boat, the park is a barrier island of live oak hammocks, mangrove forest, and a swimming beach where leatherback, loggerhead, and green sea turtles nest at night.
ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
Whether by land or by water, there are endless opportunities for low-impact adventures in Martin County. Kayaking, snorkeling, diving, surfing, paddleboarding, and kiteboarding are all ways to make a splash without widening your carbon footprint. And the area’s foot and bike trails provide miles of opportunities for exploration through the diverse natural lands that make this area unique.
Seabranch Preserve
Just a few miles north and inland of Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is Seabranch Preserve State Park, which is best explored on foot along its six miles of hiking trails. In just a few short miles, visitors can experience a wide range of habitats, including pine scrub, pine flatwoods, and swamp, which are home to diverse plant and animal species, including the beloved Florida scrub jay.
Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast
-Roundhouse Creative
The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast is located in the heart of Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach. Their mission is to offer children and families a place to explore and learn through hands-on, and interactive activities. Play all day at the interactive exhibits, including the Fire House, the Publix Town Market, the Vet Clinic, the Marti Frances Pirate Ship, and more! You can even learn about boating safety, explore the butterfly garden, and enjoy some fresh air in the outdoor playground.
Blueway Trail
Of the area’s many paddling opportunities, Martin County Scenic Blueway Trail stands out for its vast network of trails spanning 37.7 and its many public access points. The blueway includes the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River systems and has eight public launch or stopover sites throughout.
Surfing, Paddleboarding, Kiteboarding, Sailing
When you’re ready for a little more excitement, head to one of Martin County’s local outfitters for surfing, kiteboarding, or paddleboarding rentals or lessons. Surfing lessons are offered by Ohana Surf Shop in Stuart. To venture farther, book a sailing session with Treasure Coast Sailing Adventures in Stuart and watch dolphins cruising along the St. Lucie River. The U.S. Sailing Center Martin County at Indian Riverside Park has opportunities for everyone from experienced sailors to beginners looking to take lessons and even offers a family learn-to-sail course.
Diving
Underwater adventures abound at the many beaches of Martin County, four of which are protected by lifeguards. Among those four, Bathtub Reef Beach in Stuart is a favorite with locals and visitors alike for its shallow, calm waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Want to venture a little deeper? Head to the popular Georges Valentine wreck dive.
FOOD AND DINING
When it comes to eco-friendly dining, the science is clear: being good to the environment means eating plants, eating locally-sourced food, and eating organic when possible.
Kai-Kai Farm
Farm-to-table style dining is as fresh and local as it gets. In addition to serving up upscale dinners by notable chefs and hosting weddings, Kai-Kai Farm, which grows more than 80 varieties of crops on 40 acres in western Martin County, has a farm stand on site that’s open to the public.
Bunk House Coffee Bar
Treat yourself and take care of your health at the Bunk House Coffee Bar, a 100% plant-based eatery in Jensen Beach that serves mouth-watering baked goods, drinks, and casual lunch fare.
Fruits & Roots
Whether you’re a loyal vegan or a first-timer, you will discover flavors and excitement you never thought possible at Fruits & Roots.
Florida’s state parks have a thriving volunteer program, and there is a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available.
- Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing
ECO-FRIENDLY TRANSPORTATION
A Walk in the Parks
Walking has always been the simplest and most environmentally-friendly mode of transportation, and the pathways and trails of Martin County make it a fun and easy way to get around and take in the sights, whether you’re in a bustling downtown or in the thick of nature. Some of the most popular walking and hiking trails in the area include those at Halpatiokee Regional Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach is a walkable, family-friendly waterfront destination with historic buildings and a children’s museum.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a popular destination for cyclists.
To get around without breaking a sweat, hop on the Stuart Downtown Tram, a fully electric transportation system that’s partially solar powered. Alternative transportation options don’t stop there: local businesses offer electric bike rentals and segway tours.
Charging Stations
Traveling by electric vehicle is a great way to explore Martin County sustainably. With a network of EV charging stations available throughout the area, it’s easy to keep your vehicle charged and your trip going. For a full list of charging locations, visit the Electric Vehicle page to find stations across the county.
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ECO-FRIENDLY LODGING
Green Hotels
The Florida Green Lodging Program (GLP) was established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to designate and recognize lodging facilities across the state that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources. Currently, there are 323 designated Florida Green Lodging properties across the state. In Martin County, three hotels -- The Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina, the Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, and the Comfort Suites Stuart-Hutchinson Island -- have both been established as a Green Lodging Property, meaning that they uphold high standards of sustainability in various categories, such as waste reduction and recycling, water conservation, and energy efficiency. The Green Lodging Program has a four-tiered designation represented by “Palm” levels, with the highest score a GLP Property can get being 4 Palms. Sign up for the free Explore Natural Martin EcoTrail and you automatically earn points for staying at one of these certified properties.
Vacations can be just as rewarding as they are fun, especially when you’re in an area surrounded by parks, beaches, and wildlife refuges. There are many ways to leave a place better than you found it, and in Martin County, giving back can mean helping wildlife, cleaning up beaches, or volunteering with a conservation organization or park.
The Florida Oceanographic Society Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island sits on 57 acres between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, and features the Society’s headquarters, nature trails, 7a 50,000-gallon Game Fish Lagoon, Sea Turtle Pavilion, Children’s Activity Pavilion, Sea Star Touch Tank Pavilion, Rays on the Reef Ray Pavilion, the Frances Langford Visitors Center, and the new Ocean EcoCenter. With its coastal hardwood hammocks and mangrove swamp communities, the site provides excellent opportunities for education and research aimed at increasing visitors’ knowledge of these unique environments.
For visitors planning to be in the area for several months, the Hobe Sound Nature Center has volunteer opportunities for teens and adults. Volunteers can become sea turtle observers, docents, greeters, and animal caretakers. A three-month commitment is required for adults and a six-month commitment for teens.
Habitat for Humanity
Alternatively, build a vacation around a group volunteer effort for Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable homes for people in need.
