Ask anyone who knows Martin County about its best feature and the answer will undoubtedly include the water! Between the Atlantic Ocean, St. Lucie River, and Lake Okeechobee, Martin County is a natural water wonderland. From casting a line for gamefish on the Indian River Flats at sunrise to trolling off-shore in the Sailfish Capital of the World, living in this South Florida region provides a never-ending array of water oriented diversions. Let’s dive deeper into the adventures that await throughout Martin County.
The Boating Crossroads of Florida
With miles of waterways surrounding Martin County, there are truly no limits to boater’s adventures. Whether heading up to Fort Pierce or down to Jupiter/Tequesta, or hitting the sandbar just inside the St. Lucie Inlet, boaters enjoy days filled with family fun. The Okeechobee Waterway, a protected inland passage across the entire state from Stuart to Fort Myers, is also a great adventure for families. The West End of the Bahamas is just 55 nautical miles away, where authentic island adventures and tropical destinations are waiting to be explored.
An Angler’s Paradise
For the sports fisherman, the offshore Atlantic Ocean waters have the reputation for one of the densest populations of sailfish, aptly earning Stuart the nickname of the “Sailfish Capital of the World.” Fishing tournaments are held regularly, with plenty of prizes for young sportsmen and avid anglers alike. With the Gulf Stream flowing offshore, mahi mahi, wahoo, tuna, marlin and kingfish are among the daily catches. Closer to shore, the St. Lucie Inlet and inland waterways are well-known fishing grounds for snook, snapper, pompano, tarpon, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel. To the west, Lake Okeechobee offers fresh water fishing opportunities for big-mouth bass, bluegill, and speckled perch.
Kayak Through Nature’s Beauty
For those who prefer to get their sporting exercises through kayaking and paddleboarding, Martin County has designated two waterways as state paddling trails. The Martin County paddling trails span over 37.7 miles across two river systems – the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River. 23 different public launch or stopover sites allow visitors to access the trail through numerous state parks. The St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is one of the local’s favorite spots to begin, winding through mangrove estuaries and maritime hammocks for a sightseeing adventure.
Parks and Pleasures
There’s no better way to cool off than a day at the water park, and Sailfish Splash has become the destination of choice. Located in Stuart, the water park features two four-story water slides, a lazy river, a zero-entry interactive playground, a competitive swimming pool, and more to provide endless fun for the whole family. A new splash park is also on tap for Martin County’s future at Storie. The community concept’s plan would include splash pads, multiple resort-style swimming pools, and more that would be open to all Martin County residents.
A New Chapter in Preserving Martin County’s Waterways
With so many waterfront adventures nearby, residents have placed a high priority on clean water initiatives and open spaces that preserve the area’s future. Protecting these green spaces and creating new clean water initiatives are two central components of Storie, an innovative new community concept on tap for Martin County’s future. Storie is a vision that has yet to be unveiled, but the designers are placing a high priority on creating a vibrant village center, parks, educational opportunities, and plentiful outdoor activities for all Martin County residents to enjoy. To receive a copy of the Storie Time magazine with more details on the vision for this community, or to be among the first to see the vision video upon its release, register your interest at StorieFL.com.
