Plus paddle in bioluminescent waters, sip craft brews, and see manatees and dolphins.
If you ’ve thought about mill around — perhaps even sleeping — on some warm weather sands anywhere in Florida of previous , you might have noticed open space are about as scarce as a helmet at Daytona Beach Bike Week .
But there ’s one singularly amazing stain most visitant overlook where you’re able to day trip or inner circle — for free — on sandy islands near Fort Pierce and in all probability have all to yourself ( especially if you visit midweek ) . Welcome to the arcanum of the Spoil Islands of the Indian River Lagoon .
instinctive speech sound dominate on these islands : listen closely and you might hear the whooshing expiration of manatees surface for strain nearby . At the sharpness of the mangroves lining most of the islands , heron of all types stalk the water for minnows . And dolphin sightings in these parts are as common as seeing squirrels in Central Park . For those staying the night , the sky prick to life with a canopy of lead and you could slumber to the sound of the lapping Indian River Lagoon .
Just you and the sea.|Dwight Williams/EyeEm/Getty Images
Whether you ’re sidereal day tripping orcamping , coming to see bioluminescent bays , or visit the urban center of Fort Pierce , here ’s how to play Robinson Crusoe on Florida ’s Spoil Islands .
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So what are the spoil islands?
Never heard of theSpoil Islands ? They ’re a byproduct of 20th century dredging of the Indian River that was take in charge to create the Intracoastal Waterway . The flaxen mound that were initially just spit out of machinery as “ dredge spoilage ” have evolved into wild islands . Many of them are now protected for preservation and line with seagrass , mangroves , and other native plant that provide a vital habitat for inshore , coastal , and offshore metal money ( including manatee , juvenile fish species , wad boo , and much more ) . What ’s now the most biodiverse estuary in all of North America , the Indian River Lagoon parallels Florida ’s east coast , stretching south from Ponce Inlet along almost 40 percentage of the land ’s coastline .
Many of the Spoil Islands are designated for amateur use , too , and have sandy open space where you may camp for free , no arriere pensee necessary . Humans have leave their mark on some of the island in the descriptor of fire ring , R-2 golf stroke , and fundamental wooden benches build mostly by local anaesthetic with boats , who come to swim and party on the islands during weekend days .
But most of the day crowds leave behind by late afternoon and you may have these little pieces of paradise largely to yourself . Just remember to pack out everything to keep the island pristine for the next visitors .
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How to visit Fort Pierce’s Spoil Islands
Since the island are often less than a nautical mile from the mainland , you could kayak out to one in less than 30 min . Or if you desire to explore many of the island , keep paddling to browse whichever piece of land of land strikes your partiality and force up on shoring . Rentals are available from legion line in Fort Pierce , includingLisa ’s Kayaks , and you’re able to easily strap multitude to the boats .
If you ’d rather skip the sweat and you jazz how to captain a sauceboat and navigate inshore water , you could rent a powerboat fromSalty ’s Water SportsorBoatsetter .
Or , if neither of those apply , have someone do it for you . Captain Mike Dedrick ofHappy Pineapple Boat Toursoffers solar day trips and shit overnight excursion hassle - gratis .
For nightlong trips , Dedrick takes up to six passengers and even let in tent , water , and camping toilets . You would just take to bring your own intellectual nourishment and quiescence bags . The chieftain picks the best Spoil Island for the dark ’s risky venture depending on where the hybridizing cinch are blowing and where your group is most likely to have the island to yourself . Since Diedrich develop up on these waters , he knows them like the back of his Panama hat paw . He can point the way to explore on your own using one of the sup he bring along . Or he ’ll put you over the best ledge with your fishing bank line to catch dinner to grill back at coterie later .
For 24-hour interval trips , Dedrick ferries you around so you could splash at a sand bar at low tide or go tubing near Fort Pierce Inlet . Then you’re able to retire to a comfortable nearby hotel with a view of Indian River Lagoon . Hutchinson Island Plaza Hotel & Suites , right on at the river ’s sandlike sharpness , has a private beach and its own dock jutting into the lagoon . You ’ll be within walking length here for a really excellent seafood dinner , too . AtChuck ’s Seafood Restaurant , the smoked fish dip is legendary and there ’s unremarkably hogfish among the many flopping - fresh offering from Florida waters .
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Get drinks and entertainment in Downtown Fort Pierce
Of course , you could expend your entire meter out in nature and be happy as an island dollar bill . But nearby Fort Pierce makes for an fantabulous pit catch .
On Saturday morning time , Florida ’s ripe Fannie Merritt Farmer mart takes over the park fronting the Indian River Lagoon . TheDowntown Fort Pierce Farmers Market’soffers seafood dips , Florida - grown green groceries , and a seasonal cattle ranch of Indian River citrus — really , you have n’t tried Florida oranges until you ’ve sample these precious balls of pure fluid sunshine . The marketplace ’s bounty extends to everything from customs duty made “ volaille hood ” ( exactly what they sound like , for your fashion - witting home biddy ) to handmade aboriginal American flute and gorgeous Tahitian pearl leather necklaces . Be sure to sidle up to the water for a corking view : hundreds of hungry mullet are usually swirling in the shallows of the Indian River Lagoon , hoping for handouts .
At theManatee Observation and Education Center , step from the grocery , there ’s an 800 - gal saltwater tank home to native Florida and non - native species ( but no manatees — those are outdoors ) . From there , you could waddle out into the Indian River Lagoon on guided kayak tours where you might encounter enunciate manatees and see dolphins , too . Or take the easier itinerary on one of the center ’s 90 - minute wildlife pontoon gravy holder cruise .
These mounds of sand did really well for themselves.|Photo courtesy of Verola Studios
For an eco dangerous undertaking aboard a kayak with a motor , lead out with certify Florida naturalist Billy Gibson ofMotorized Kayak Adventures . Gibson bid evening tours to see bioluminescence during the summer months when the phenomenon is most prevalent . He also hosts daytime “ jungle ” paddling outing into the tangle of Rhizophora mangle tunnels of the Indian River Lagoon , where you ’ll float in the realm of osprey , kingfishers , and Hero of Alexandria .
All that nature can make you thirsty , and Florida’sTreasure Coast Wine & Ale Trailin downtown Fort Pierce excels at the sudsy stuff . Make stop at places likeSailfish Brewing Company(the White Marlin Wit is always brisk ) andPierced Ciderworks , where coconut and northern blackberry bush - flavour ciders are on water faucet inside a historical construction over a century old . In nearby Port St. Lucie , continue the artisan sip atHop Life BrewingandSide Door Brewing Company .
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Head offshore to go fishing
Wahoo , mahi - mahi , and Thunnus albacares are among the sought after coinage anglers land on the regular during fishing trips from Fort Pierce Inlet . The Gulf Stream run away particularly unaired to mainland Florida here , some 15 mile offshore , making for exceptional sportfishing status without the longer sauceboat ride required at other degree along the coast .
Happy Pineapple Tours runs inshore charters in the Indian River Lagoon and just offshore from Fort Pierce Inlet , too . And if you want to head out to angle where the Gulf Stream draws in prize type , charter manipulator likeLast Mango Fishing ChartersandApex Predator Sportfishingare sound stake for getting the cock-a-hoop boy to bite .
The Spoil Islands are easily accessible by boat.|Photo courtesy of Terry Ward
It’s a palm tree farmer’s market.|Photo courtesy of Terry Ward
We’re all eyeing the smoked fish dip.|Sailfish Brewing Company
You can see why the fish would like it here.|Phillip Sunkel IV/Shutterstock
