This park is named for Joseph Frances O' Mara. He loved the beauty of the Indian River Lagoon and…read morehis parents donated part of the land for the park in his honor. Adjacent to the parking lot is a picnic pavilion. A boardwalk takes you from the parking lot across the wetlands as you travel through a red mangrove swamp. The mangroves are an important part of the ecosystem because they prevent coastal erosion and provide a home for fish, mollusks, crab, and shrimp, that are the basis of the food chain for the marine life in the coastal communities. The biodiversity of this area makes it popular with researchers. The boardwalk ends at an overlook that people use for fishing the Indian River Lagoon. There is also a floating dock.

This beach was named Bob Graham Beach on March 8, 1983 when it was dedicated to Daniel Robert…read moreGraham (November 9, 1936 - April 16, 2024). Graham was a lawyer, author, and democratic politician who served as the 38th governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and as a Florida senator from 1987 to 2005. He was famous for his work days in which he spent a day in different parts of the state working various regular jobs. Some of the jobs he worked included a police officer, a bank teller, a construction worker, a marine biologist, and rehabilitation aide. Working these jobs enabled him to understand the issues facing people living in Florida. Bob Graham established the Save Our Coast Program which resulted in the acquisition of additional Martin County beach property. Bob Graham Beach Park has a shower and parking. Less than a mile north is Jensen Beach Park where you can find lifeguards, restrooms, and food. If you are looking for a more secluded beach experience, Bob Graham is the better choice. The Hutchinson Island Coastal Trail connects this beach to Beachwalk Pasley Beach to the south. It takes about 15 minutes to walk between the two parks through beach dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock and mangrove habitats.

One of many beaches on Ocean blvd., in Martin County. This beach is closer to Jensen Beach where we…read morehad lunch. They have a private parking lot no fee, and its steps away from the beach. This is a relaxing beach and it wasn't packed when we were there. They have a shower for rinsing off. In my case, for cooling off. The waves at the beach are intense so I was not able to go in but the shower cooled me off nicely. If you need the restroom or need to change your clothes, drive north for the main Jensen beach next to the Hutchinson Island Resort.

There are several public beaches in Stuart north of the Elliot Museum. Virginia Forrest Beach is…read moreone of the more secluded options. This beach park was created with land donated by Virginia Forrest in 1973 In 1961 Virginia Forrester became the first woman to win the Florida Governor's Award for Conservation. She participated in community affairs throughout her life. In 1972 she founded the Bucks County Conservation Alliance in New Hope, Pa., and she continued to serve as an adviser to the organization. She was a director of the Environmental Studies Center in Stuart, and a founder and director from 1966 to 1975 of the Martin County Conservation Alliance in Stuart. She passed away in 1991 at the age of 94. It was so kind of Virginia Forrester to donate this land so that her message of conservation can live on. I know she would be pleased that sea turtles are nesting on her beach. Another great feature of this low key beach is the fact that you are more likely to get a parking spot which are free but there is no lifeguard or restrooms. The beaches south of Gilbert's Bar are way more crowded. If you are looking for a more peaceful beach then Virginia Forrest Beach is great for swimming, beachcombing, birdwatching, or taking long walks along the shore. From the parking lot it is just a short hike up over the sand dune to paradise.

This beach on Hutchinson Island is 3 miles north of Causeway Boulevard, on Ocean Boulevard State…read moreHighway A1A in Jensen Beach. Dollman Beach is part of a 143 acre preserve where you can fish, swim, and enjoy the natural beauty of Hutchinson Island. This public beach was named in honor of Henry Dollman, who sold nearby Normandy Beach to St. Lucie County in 1962 for $10 as long as it was given to public use. Other land owned by Dollman on Hutchinson Island was saved from development by Jane Murray Brooks and turned into a public beach and nature preserve named in her honor. Dollman Beach has a restroom and shower but is not life guarded. This beach is enjoyed by locals and visitors who enjoy swimming and fishing but it is especially popular with surfers making it one of the more visited beaches on Hutchinson Island. Beach walkers are encouraged to pick up a basket to help keep the beach clean which is especially important as this beach is an important sea turtle nesting area. If you are looking to get something to eat nearby Conchy Joe's Seafood is a great choice.

Beach There is a…read morelong stretch of beaches along the treasure coast of which Dollman Beach is one. The ride along Hutchinson Island is nice enough and then there are a lot of these small county beaches available to the public at no cost. Dollman has a smallish paved parking area and then a grassy overflow area - they can get a decent number of cars in there without it looking like Coney Island on the weekends. The beach is accesable through a serene path with thick foliage on either side - very calming as you stroll through. The beach proper stretches north south and is deep enough that there is never going to be a time where you cannot find a spot, yet not so deep that it is a 10 minute walk to the water. This is an Atlantic facing beach so wave action varies mostly depending on the weather and there are a few large rocks in the surf line so use caution. The dunes are home to many turtle nests and sea grasses and all are marked - again, use caution and respect nature when there. This beach did not have life guards - not sure if they have them during high tourist season, so be aware of that. Outside of the above, there are no amenities available such as food or beverages- you have to bring it all in and back out with you. There are small restrooms by the parking lot and they were clean and functioning. There is a shower for rinsing sand off. Overall, a great uncrowded beach to relax and catch some rays on. Parking lot off the main road.

Herman's Bay Beach has human history that dates back to the Okeechobee period (A.D. 1000 - A.D…read more 1513) when Florida's earliest residents lived here. Herman's Bay Midden was discovered here and researched by a team from Florida Archaeological Services under direction of Robert Johnson, Florida Archaeological Services. Middens are a kind of ancient garbage dump and when you examine it you can discover a lot about the people who used to live here. This midden is along a beach dune line facing the the Atlantic Ocean and an estuarine system of the Indian River to the west. It was discovered that this midden contained architectural evidence of a house structure, attendant cooking hearth, and the animal remains used by the Okeechobee period people. Based on the midden evidence it was determined that the people who lived here were fisher, hunter, and gatherers who utilized the animal resources from the Indian River Estuary and from the Atlantic Ocean. These people used fish nets and other fine catch devices to fish and their main protein source came from fish and turtles. The entrance to Herman Bayh's Beach is near Diamond Sands gated community off of S Ocean Drive. Today Herman's Bay Beah Park is a one acre beach front park with free parking, beach access, picnic tables, and pavilions. A boardwalk takes you over the dune and onto the beach. Like the ancient people who once lived here, you can still fish. You can also swim and sunbathe but there are no lifeguards or restrooms.

The beach presently is a dangerous place because of hidden jagged rocks which are partially…read moresubmerged just below the surface only about ten to fifteen feet out from shore ! These rocks seems to have been exposed by recently rough sea encounter. Do not just run or dive into the water from the shoreline especially during choppy sea days!

Chastain Beach is named in honor of Robert LeRoy "Sam" Chastain (1904-1964). Mr. Chastain purchased…read morethe beach property and donated it to Martin County for a public beach. Chastain Beach is located on the south end of Hutchinson Island between the House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar and Bathtub Beach. Parking is free but sparse so be prepared to wait a long time to park, especially on the weekend. What makes this park unique is it has both beach and river access so you are competing for parking spots with the beach goers and the canoe and kayak people. Lack of parking aside, Chastain Beach is a wonderful place to experience the unspoiled, natural beauty of a Martin County beach. Note that it is only lifeguarded during certain months of the year. There are bathrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills. Fishing is allowed and dogs on a leash are welcome. The beaches on this part of Hutchinson Island have rocky looking outcroppings known as the Anastasia formation which was named by E. H. Sellards in 1912. The formation was deposited during the late Pleistocene and the "rocks" are really sand and coquina limestone embedded with shells and sparry calcite. It forms cliffs and caves that form a habitat for sea life. It is not very comfortable on bare feet but it makes a lovely backdrop for pictures. Interesting fact, Chastain Beach is an ancient cemetery. In 2022 heavy beach erosion from Hurricane Nicole disturbed the bones of members of the ancient indigenous Asis tribe that used to inhabit Hutchinson Island. The burial ground is federally protected and passersby are prohibited from digging up other remains, pottery, or jewelry of the Ais tribe.

Seems like a favorite surfing spot. Plenty of waves and a beautiful beach w stairs to climb.a…read morebathroom and wash areas. Nice quiet beach.

Named after famous African American abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass, this is one of the…read moremany parks on South Hutchinson Island that allow free beach parking along the ocean side. The beach is very clean, parking is free, and there is a restroom. What makes Frederick Douglass unique is it is the only park where you can horse back ride on the beach and through the parks equestrian trails although a permit is required. If you don't have a horse you can take a hour ride for $45 with Tours on Horseback. They are one of the few vendors licensed to do beach rides in the state and the only one in southeast Florida. Now that I know about it I am definitely going to come back and ride with my daughter.

Nice beach area on the south end of Hutchinson Island. The only beach in the area I know that…read moreoffers horseback riding. Picnic areas, pavilions, restrooms, horseback riding trails, etc. This is a saint Lucie County Park, much more information is available st the county web site below. http://www.stlucieco.gov/things-to-do/recreation/beaches/frederick-douglass-memorial-park Enjoy....

Tiger Shores Beach is one of several free beaches north of the Elliot Museum. This beach is north…read moreof Stuart Beach and south of Virginia Forrest Beach. The beaches on this end of Hutchinson Island tend to be less crowded than those south of the Elliot Museum near Gilberts Bar. Over here you are more likely to find parking at the beaches on but there aren't restrooms or lifeguards. There is however a shower and benches. This beach is popular with swimmers, anglers, and even treasure hunters. In the 1970's a local surfer discovered cannons in the water off the beach. Researchers believe they may belong to a Spanish ship carrying gold that wrecked off the beach in a hurricane in 1715. From the parking lot you follow the trail nestled between condos up the sand dune through coastal vegetation to the white sandy beach. There were a number of sea turtle nests roped off among the sun bathers. Even if you don't end up finding a piece of eight the calm clear waters and unspoiled natural beauty make this a good choice if you are looking for a more secluded beach experience.

Public beach with its own parking lot. All parking is free and was safe. Located on Hutchinson…read moreIsland in Stuart, FL. This is the Treasure Coast! Parking lot has a beach shower and foot shower. Dogs allowed on beach, leashed. People were NOT following this rule when I visited. Extremely rude and annoying, especially on the beach! Water can be a bit rough and no lifeguards, so I recommend only for strong swimmers. Beach is pretty but not super wide. Not sure about tides? I visited in early afternoon and you can see how it looked then from my pictures.