Active Pursuits in Vero Beach and Sebastian
Beaches in Vero Park and Sebastian, Florida
You'll find plenty of free and open beachfront along the coast -- most areas are uncrowded and are open from 7am to 10pm.
South Beach Park, on South Ocean Drive, at the end of Marigold Lane, is a busy, developed, lifeguarded beach with picnic tables, restrooms, and showers. It's known as one of the best swimming beaches in Vero Beach and attracts a young crowd that plays volleyball in a tranquil setting. A nature walk takes you onto beautiful secluded trails.
At the very northern tip of the island, Sebastian Inlet State Park, 9700 S. Fla. A1A, Melbourne (tel. 321/984-4852), has flat, sandy beaches with lots of facilities, including kayak, paddleboat, and canoe rentals; a well-stocked surf shop; picnic tables; and a snack shop. The winds seem to stir up the surf with no jetty to stop the swells, to the delight of surfers and boarders who come here to catch the big waves. Anglers love it too, with fishing jetties on both sides of the ocean. There are two museums on site: the McLarty Treasure Museum and the Sebastian Fishing Museum. Campers enjoy fully equipped sites in a woody area with WiFi hotspot near the marina for those who just can’t bear to be without technology. Entry fees to the park are $8 per car with two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for those who walk or bike in.
Ambersands Beach Park sits within the 284-acre Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, 12566 N. Hwy. A1A, Vero Beach (tel. 321/723-3556), which spans over 20 miles and is one of the country’s most important habitats for endangered sea turtles. Also within the Refuge is Golden Sands Park, a locals’ favorite that’s usually uncrowded and sublimely peaceful. It’s also a nesting turtle hot spot. For more action, check out Jaycee Park beach, 5205 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach, which has the longest boardwalk in Vero Beach and two bustling restaurants nearby. For manatee sightings, Round Island Park beach, 2200 S Hwy. A1A, Vero Beach, has access to both the ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, where the beloved mammals hang out.
Fishing Near Vero Beach and Sebastian, Florida
Catch redfish, sea trout, snook, speckled trout, black drum, and more with Captain Fred Pharis of 2 Lagoon Charters (tel. 407/257-4395), who has over 25 years of experience exploring the local estuary systems of the Indian River and Mosquito lagoons. All levels of anglers are welcome on his 5- or 7-hour fishing trips on a high-end custom skiff. All trips include gear. There are even rocket launch charters where you can fish while watching the latest SpaceX takeoff. Rates start at $450 for two people. Vero Tackle & Watersports, 3321 Bridge Plaza Dr. (tel. 772/234-9585), is another good operator, offering half and full day fishing charters on a spacious, family friendly pontoon at rates starting at $450.Top Golf in Vero Beach and Sebastian, Florida
Hard-core golfers insist that of the dozens of courses in the area, only a handful are worth their plots of grass. Set on rolling hills with uncluttered views of sand dunes and sky, the Sandridge Golf Club, 5300 73rd St., Vero Beach (tel. 772/770-5000), is one of them, offering two par-72 18-holers. The Dunes is a long course with rolling fairways, while the newer Lakes course has lots of water. Both charge $29 to $56, including cart. Reservations are recommended and are taken 2 days in advance.
Although less challenging, the Sebastian Municipal Golf Course, 1010 E. Airport Dr. (tel. 772/589-6801), is a good 18-hole par-72 course. It’s scenic and well maintained, and greens fees are $15 to $56.
Tennis and Pickleball in Vero Beach
The USTA manages the Riverside Racquet Complex, 350 Dahlia Lane, at Royal Palm Boulevard, at the east end of Barber Bridge, Vero Beach (tel. 772/538-9933; Mon-Fri noon-8pm, Sat 8am-noon; $15/person per hour). This popular park has 10 hard courts (6 lighted), a lighted practice wall, ball machine rental, and pro-shop. Pickleball University, (pickleu.com; daily 8am-9pm), is a nonprofit organization with 12 courts at Pocahontas Park, 2140 14th Ave. Though it’s a membership club, they welcome visitors and ‘drop-ins’ for a $10 fee.
