Experiences & Amenities

The park's varied habitats provide excellent opportunities for birding enthusiasts to view many different species of bird life. The park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

St. Lucie is a great place to see wading birds and shorebirds, including great blue herons, brown pelicans, white ibis and the purple plover.

The park is accessible only by private watercraft. 

There is a primitive group camp available to youths associated with nonprofit organizations and organized chaperoned groups. This primitive group camp is only accessible by boat. The camp includes space for 10 tents and has a covered picnic table and a campfire circle.  A primitive toilet and cold water shower is located 0.5 miles from the camp.

• The fee is $1 per child and $4 per adult. The fee can be waived in exchange for a service project.
• Campers should bring everything they need with them and pack out all garbage.
• Reservations can be made by calling 772-219-1880. Youth group (more than 50% under 18 years of age) reservations may be made 60 days in advance. Adult group (less than 50% under 18 years of age) reservations may be made 30 days in advance.

There are several good areas for fishing in the park. Snook, snapper and sheepshead are regularly hooked from the docks. Snook, pompano and bluefish are caught along the beach. Offshore, along the reef, cobia, snapper and mackerel are regular catches.

• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

A 3,330-foot boardwalk meanders from the dock to the beach. Along the way, you will traverse two coastal hammocks and detect a skunk-like aroma from the white stopper, a tropical tree.

Common plants observed along the way include live oak, cabbage palm, paradise tree, wild lime and several species of native fern. Along the beach, you will see gray nicker bean, sea grape and federally listed plants such as the beach star.

There are miles of tidal creek waiting to be explored with your kayak or canoe. No rentals are available.

The nearest launch point is at the end of Cove Road where it meets the Intracoastal Waterway.

An extensive Anastasia rock reef is located just offshore of the park, extending 4.7 miles along the coast and up to one mile offshore. Depths range from 5 to 35 feet. This reef is the northernmost limit for the ranges of several species of corals found in South Florida.

In addition, many species of marine plants and tropical fishes are associated with the reef. 

• Spearfishing is not permitted within state park boundaries. Park boundary is marked by buoys and extends one mile out from shore and 4.7 miles south of the St. Lucie Inlet. Display of a diver-down flag is required by law.

For everyone's safety, the following rules must be observed:

• All persons participating in scuba diving activities do so at their own risk.
• Each diver must dive within the limits of their certification.
• A dive party must consist of at least two divers.
• A diver-down flag must be displayed.
• Use caution when anchoring near the reef to ensure you do not damage the reef.
• Fossils and artifacts must not be disturbed or removed. Aquatic plants must not be trampled or disturbed.
• Do not carve or otherwise deface rocks or any other surfaces.
• Keep a minimum distance of 50 feet between you, manatees and sea turtles at all times.
• Dives must be completed one hour before sunset.
• Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.

You can see a variety of sea life just a few hundred feet from shore. An extensive Anastasia rock reef is located just offshore of the park, extending 4.7 miles along the coast and up to 1 mile offshore. Depths range from 5 to 35 feet.

Remember to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but ripples.

• No spearfishing is permitted within state park boundaries. 
• A diver-down flag must be displayed when snorkeling or diving.

The water temperature varies from the mid- to upper 80s in the summer to the mid- to lower 70s in the winter. Riptides can occur on days with strong onshore winds. There are no lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk.

Many species of wildlife may be observed at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, including bobcats, otters, raccoons and more. Morning and late afternoon are the best times to see most wildlife, since that is when they are feeding and most active.