4 Fun Activities to Do With a Boat in Indian River County
9/7/20154 Fun Activities to Do With a Boat in Indian River County
7/23/2015
One of the best parts of living on the Treasure Coast is the easy accessibility to water. That is why this area has long been a draw for watersports enthusiasts, anglers, sport divers, and pleasure boaters. With the Indian River Lagoon, freshwater lakes, and the blue waters of the Atlantic, there are plenty of waterways to explore. Whether you own a boat or want to rent one for the day, here are a few popular ways to spend a day (or night) on the water.
1. Sandbar Sunday Sunday
Just west of the Sebastian Inlet is a shallow water flat where boaters come from miles around to spend the afternoon floating in the crystal clear ocean waters flowing in to the Indian River. Some weekends, hundreds of boats in all sizes and shapes anchor around the sandbar as it’s always a happening place, especially on Sundays. Kids will enjoy searching for the abundant starfish and hermit crabs in the shallow water while the adults float around sipping on an ice cold beverage. There’s no better way to waste away the afternoon surrounded by fellow boaters enjoying Florida’s version of the French Riviera.
2. Saint Sebastian River Cruise
For a taste of wild Florida and backwater adventure, take a cruise down the brackish waters of the Saint Sebastian River on the north end of Indian River County. This protected tributary of the lagoon hosts all types of wildlife in the water and along the shoreline. Shallow in spots, this waterway is best suited for smaller boats, or throw an anchor and launch a paddleboard or kayak to explore the smaller passageways. There is about 4 miles of the river accessible by motorboat but the further back you go, the more wildlife you will encounter including manatee, alligators, otters, and various species of waterbirds. For a map of the river and information about the adjacent preserve, click here.
3. Explore Blue Cypress Lake
This natural 6500 acre freshwater lake located in the west part of Indian River County is a beautiful representation of untouched Florida. The tall Cypress swamps and tannin stained canals connecting the lake to other bodies of water provide hours of boating exploration and fun. Some of the largest alligators, snakes, and gamefish in the State call Blue Cypress home, making for a photographer and nature lover’s playground.
Middleton's Fish Camp located on the west end of the lake by the boat ramp offers cabins, free primitive (tent) camping, kayak and boat rentals, a bait shop, ice, drinks and snacks. For a special treat, go out early in the morning to watch the sun rise over the Cypress trees and you’ll see exactly how the lake got it’s name.
4. Spoil Island Camping
All along the middle of the Indian River Lagoon are man-made islands created when the channels were dredged decades ago. Today, boaters enjoy spending the day, or sometimes multiple nights, camped out on the shores of these tropical retreats. There are islands both big and small and some even have amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, docks, and primitive toilets. For those who choose to spend the night outdoors, the consistent breeze from the water keeps the heat and bugs at bay and the lack of any real pests on the islands provide a relatively comfortable camping experience. For more information on the spoil islands and which islands are suited for camping, click here.
So, gas up the boat and get out on the water to soak in the true Florida lifestyle. Once you leave the dock, you will see why the Treasure Coast has so many boaters that use our waterways to escape from the daily grind. They don’t call this paradise for nothing!