Main Page - St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

Manager's Message

The ‘dog days of summer’ are gone and the air temperature is more comfortable. The beaches are beautiful this time of year, though the water temperature is a little cool. Take a walk on the beach and watch the waves roll ashore and look for shells.

Or, you can take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk and enjoy the smell of the Spanish Stopper that has a mildly spicy aroma. If you come upon the smell of skunk, don’t worry this is most likely just the fragrance of another plant in the stopper family called the White Stopper.

The park abounds with birdlife. This time of year we have quite a few of the migratory birds wintering at the park including the Peregrine falcon, Broad-winged hawk and the American kestrel.

Come and visit the park soon while the cool weather lasts and enjoy “…the Real Florida.”

- John Griner, Park Manager

Welcome to St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

This classic Florida barrier island is accessible only by boat, but it is worth the ride. A boardwalk takes visitors across mangrove forests and hammocks of live oaks, cabbage palms, paradise trees, and wild limes to a neatly preserved Atlantic beach. During the summer months, the island is an important nesting area for loggerhead, leatherback, and green turtles. They come ashore at night to dig holes in the beach sand where they lay their eggs. The preserve is a favorite for nature students interested in learning about the native flora and fauna of Florida barrier islands. Visitors come to swim, sunbathe, or picnic at the pavilion on the quiet beach. Others make the trip for the great surf fishing. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular activities. Located at Port Salerno, on the Intracoastal Waterway, 2/3 of a mile south of the inlet.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, please call 772-219-1880.