Jensen Beach, Florida, Travel Guide

Proper throughout the river from Stuart, Florida, sits a tiny neighborhood that, for essentially the most half, flies beneath the radar amongst East Coast seaside locations. Jensen Seashore, with a inhabitants of about 12,500, is a riverfront and oceanfront city situated on the Treasure Coast, between West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce. Considered one of its claims to fame—together with being a wonderful place for fishing, boating, and scuba diving—is its former title because the “Pineapple Capital of the World.” The nickname originated within the late nineteenth century, earlier than chilly spells, nematodes, and spider mites impacted the success of the realm’s pineapple business within the early 1900s.

Although Jensen Seashore is not identified for pineapple rising (and its long-running Pineapple Pageant was discontinued), you should still see some pineapple artwork within the downtown space. What’s additionally obvious is its “Previous Florida” atmosphere. “It’s really the gem of Martin County,” says Tammy Calabria, the manager director of The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast.

“There’s one thing so particular about its appeal, the neighborhood, and the enjoyable that may be had outdoor on the water, the seaside, or a mountain climbing path,” provides Carly S. Batts, proprietor of B the Change Native Plants & Landscape Designs. “It’s a spot the place, on the finish of the day, you may simply sit back and genuinely loosen up at one of many many implausible eating places.”

This is what you have to know earlier than planning a visit to Jensen Seashore, Florida.

Greatest Inns & Resorts

Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa

Calabria extremely recommends this beachfront resort, which presents ocean views from a lot of its 178 ethereal rooms and suites. Along with the spa, it has an on-site restaurant, Drift Kitchen + Bar, and a poolside bar serving up refreshing drinks and lightweight bites. “For me, it’s a true tie between Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa and the Marriott Hutchinson Island Seashore Resort, Golf & Marina,” says Calabria. “When I’m in search of a beachfront spa expertise, then Hutchinson Shores is a prime decide.”

The Driftwood Motel 

“The Driftwood Motel is a family-owned, nostalgic property proper on Indian River Drive with expansive views of the river, with a residing shoreline that was designed by native ecologists,” says Batts, who was born and raised within the space. “It’s inexpensive and inside strolling distance of Conchy Joe’s Seafood restaurant, the place additionally, you will discover hermit crab racing two nights per week. Convey your boogie footwear for his or her reside bands.”

River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp

“River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp is one other favourite, additionally alongside Indian River Drive, with an attractive pool surrounded by paradise,” says Batts. “It’s pet-friendly with roomy efficiencies nice for households, teams, and reunions who wish to prepare dinner and hand around in paradise.” The cottages, whereas not luxurious lodging, are basic Florida and comparatively cost-effective.

Marriott Hutchinson Island Seashore Resort, Golf & Marina

Whereas the Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina is technically in Stuart, it’s only a 10-minute drive from downtown Jensen Seashore. “When I’m in search of a golf stick with a ship dock, then the Marriott is my alternative for a fast staycation getaway,’ says Calabria. The 200-acre property has one thing for everybody—from an 18-hole golf course to 3 totally different swimming pools, direct seaside entry, and 6 pickleball courts.

Greatest Issues to Do

Get on the water.

Your first order of enterprise in Jensen Seashore needs to be to spend a while on the water—you’re in Florida, in spite of everything. “You’ll be able to lease a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and explore the Indian River Lagoon,” says Batts. “Rise up near manatees, turtles, dolphins, and shorebirds.” Salty’s Water Sports presents a spread of vessels, together with kayaks and Jet Skis, and Feet Wet Adventures has single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and paddleboards.  

Go to Savannas Protect State Park.

“I all the time advocate mountain climbing in Savannas Preserve State Park in Jensen Seashore. It has unbelievable wildlife, together with eagles, scrub jays, sandhill cranes, and equally cool topography with hills and sumptuous wetlands,” Batts explains. Martin County is thought for its environmental magnificence, activism, and ecotourism business, and Jensen Seashore isn’t any exception. Savannas Protect State Park is especially wonderful because it’s the “largest and most intact remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas,” in accordance with Florida State Parks. 

Spend a day on the seaside.

Should you want a seaside day, you might have fairly a number of choices.  “My favourite seaside in Jensen is Bob Graham Beach. It connects to the neighboring seaside with a maritime path that’s fully shaded and makes you’re feeling miles away from civilization,” says Batts. Head to Jensen Sea Turtle Beach for pristine sand or Bathtub Beach for wonderful snorkeling and swimming.

Go fishing.

“Don’t forget to take your loved ones fishing when you are on the town. Snook Nook will level you in the correct course,” says Calabria. There’s a fishing pier at Indian Riverside Park and Jensen Beach Causeway Park, and you can too go for a deep-sea fishing expertise with corporations like Lady Stuart and Snook Nook Charters.

Greatest Eating places

The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp Home

“The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House … was initially began by actress Frances Langford. This Jensen Seashore authentic is for individuals who love to decorate up and rejoice life with fabulous drinks that include umbrellas and dishes that’ll seduce even your most choosy style buds with recipes by land and by sea,” says Batts. For lunch, assume shrimp salad sandwiches and turkey membership wraps. For dinner, it’s all concerning the recent catch of the day (served grilled, broiled, fried, or blackened) and Southern-style shrimp and grits.

Lures Riverfront Restaurant

“If you wish to go the place the locals go, this is the spot,” says Batts. “Proper in downtown Jensen, supervisor Warren has created the friendliest environment the place bikers and households hang around collectively in concord. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days per week.” Her go-to order is a frozen Rum Runner with a floater and a fried shrimp dinner. “It by no means disappoints,” she says. 

Castaways Gastropub

Based on Batts, Castaways Gastropub is for you “if you happen to’re a brewery fan who loves to make use of his or her craft pint to scrub down fascinating culinary delights.” One such delight Batts recommends looking for is a seasonal egg roll, which has come filled with all the things from buffalo hen to Thanksgiving-style turkey with all of the trimmings.

Barbecue Beer Co.

Barbecue Beer Co. has all of the barbecue classics—assume brisket, coleslaw, mac and cheese, collard greens, potato salad—but additionally enjoyable bar snacks like Wisconsin fried cheese curds, smoked gator dip, and mini corndogs. The regionally cherished, family-owned spot hosts reside music and different occasions a number of evenings per week.

Greatest Time to Go to

Whereas Calabria says Jensen Seashore is a good year-round vacation spot, she’s aligned with Batts, who explains that the hotter months are literally the most effective time to go to. “Truthfully, I feel the best-kept secret is summer time, when fewer individuals are round. You’ll really feel like you might have the entire place to your self,” says Batts.

The vacation season, nonetheless, has its charms too. “Christmas additionally has a beautiful really feel with lots to do and see for the vacations, together with an annual carol live performance and tree lighting in Downtown Jensen Seashore,” says Batts. December by Could brings “gentle breezes and cooler climate,” in accordance with Calabria.

Regardless of whenever you go to, Calabria does have one piece of recommendation: Don’t forget your bug spray. “No-see-ums [are] the tiny bugs you can not see, however you’ll really feel their invisible bites the subsequent day, particularly for kids,” she says. 

The right way to Get There

Palm Seashore Worldwide Airport (PBI) is the closest main airport to Jensen Seashore. It’s about 47 miles away, so that you’ll both have to lease a automotive to drive the ultimate leg, schedule a pickup service, or name an Uber or Lyft. 

The right way to Get Round

Having your personal automotive will make the journey to Jensen Seashore considerably simpler. Public transportation choices are restricted, and also you’ll want your personal type of transportation to succeed in different close by cities, seashores, and factors of curiosity. Should you’d choose to get round on two wheels, Bikes Plus has every day, weekly, and month-to-month leases.