Best Florida Kid-friendly Beaches in St. Lucie

Best Florida Kid-friendly Beaches in St. Lucie

In this post, you’ll find our tried and true recommendations from local moms on the Treasure Coast, for the best Florida kid-friendly beaches in St. Lucie and surrounding areas.

 Related Post: Blowing Rocks Preserve: A Must-See Adventure in Jupiter Island.

photo by local mom, Abby Bridges

Best Florida Beaches for famili

Kid-friendly beaches in Martin County

Hobe Sound Beach

Situated in Martin County, Hobe Sound Beach is a scenic beach with clear waters and soft sands. It has lifeguards, restrooms and picnic areas. See below why this ranks as one of the best Florida beaches for families

This is a beautiful beach but as a local, I feel obliged to share a really fun itinerary, that leads you to this little slice of heaven in the picture above.

Go to the Hobe Sound Nature Center, on Federal Highway. There, you can enjoy a free educational experience related to Florida’s wildlife. You can access the Indian River lagoon beach from the nature center parking lot, or from the 0.7 mile hiking trail directly behind it.

I’d rate the trail as easy, with little elevation gain and some moderate terrain-however for littles ones it can be more challenging, especially on extremely hot days.

I suggest packing a bakpack with sunscreen, bug-repellent, water and a first aid kit before hitting the trail!

The trail will lead you down to the lagoon, where you can enjoy the beach. But, my favorite itinerary is to leave all my bags in the car, explore the air- conditioned nature center, grab my backpack for the hike and then finally come back to the car and grab my beach stuff to access the lagoon from the parking lot entrance!

Indian Riverside Park

Jensen Beach: Located in Martin County, directly behind the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast, this beach is on the Indian River lagoon, and offers a family-friendly atmosphere with shallow waters for littles ones. It also features a boardwalk and trail path, restrooms, pavilions, wide open grass fields, and a large interactive splash pad!

Stuart Beach

Also in Martin County, Stuart Beach is a top family friendly beach in Florida. It has lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and is home to a beachy, local-favorite waterfront diner: the Seaside Cafe.

Photo by local mom, Dana Simkins

things to do near Port Saint Lucie

 Bathtub Reef Beach 

This special beach is temporarily closed due to hurricane damage. Located In Martin County, Bathtub Reef Beach is known for its shallow and calm waters, making it a great beach for kids. During low tide, the reef serves as a barrier to the ocean creating a “bathtub.” However, when the tide is higher than the reef, the animals can swim over it and get stuck there when the tide goes back down. The reef being so close to shore is such a unique part of this beach, and you’ll be sure to see some marine life upon your visit. You may even see sharks!

Jensen Beach

Located in Martin County, Jensen Beach is known as the pineapple capital of the world, and Jensen Beach Park is known for its turquoise waters! Free parking is located very close by. You’ll conveniently find the laid-back and relaxing atmosphere of the Sand Dune Cafe. This is a great beach to visit before exploring the quaint downtown area.

Photo by local mom, Christie O’Neill

Looking for another option in Jensen that’s less crowded? Check out Waveland Beach. This beach has lifeguards, restrooms, pavilions, and convenient parking. The beach offers shallow waters that makes it great for kids.

Sewall’s Point Park

S Sewalls Point Rd, Sewall’s Point, FL 34996

This is truly a gem! It’s a playground on the lagoon, where you can enjoy the water on a hot day while also enjoying the playground, swing set, and large sand box. The parking lot is very small, so parking is limited. They do have a pavilion that can be reserved for Sewall’s Point residents. The beach part is a decent size where you can picnic in the grass area or post up in the sand. This is one of our favorite parks.

things to do near Port Saint Lucie

Kid-Friendly Beaches in St. Lucie County

Pepper Park Beach

Fort Pierce beaches are recognized as some of the most beautiful and clear waters on this coast. This kid-friendly beach is directly behind the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. Pepper Park Beach is a popular beach for families because it offers calm waters, lifeguards, restrooms, picnic areas, and a playground. The shallow reefs are not far from shore and make for a great snorkeling spot! Pack a beach bag for a fun day of exploring the Navy Seal Museum, the playground next to it, and Pepper Park Beach.

There is easy access parking to all three if you pull into the Navy Seal Museum entrance.

Looking for a list of the ultimate playgrounds on the Treasure Coast? Check out my guide here

 Best Playgrounds on the Treasure Coast

Photo by local mom, Christie O’Neill

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Where the Indian River meets the Atlantic Ocean, you can be sure this beach is well-maintained due to it being a state park preserve!

Photo contributed by local mom, Emma Laing

When visiting, note that the Fort Pierce Inlet state park is on the North side of Hutchinson Island. You’ll want to take US-1 to North Causeway. If you wind up on South Causeway, you’ll get to other beaches, restaurants, and hotels. So, that’s not such a terrible place to get lost.

Visitors contribute $6 per car of up to 8 people to help preserve the beauty of Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. It is well-worth the money in exchange for a less-crowded beach, shallow water for kids to play, hiking trails, and picnic tables. You may even spot some manatees or dolphins! 

Photo by local mom, Jennifer Durick

Walton Rocks Beach

Located in St. Lucie County, Walton Rocks Beach is a pet-friendly beach where families can enjoy a day out with their furry friends. The beach has lifeguards, restrooms, picnic areas, and an area designated for dogs to play-making it one of the best Florida beaches for families. Well, fur families, that is. 

Best Florida Beaches for families on the Treasure Coast

Kid-Friendly Beaches in Vero Beach

South Beach Park

Looking for beaches in Vero? At this beach, you’ll enjoy wide-open field of white sand, turquoise water, restrooms, paved parking, ADA access, shaded picnic areas and nearby dining along Ocean Avenue. Lifeguards are usually on duty. Shark Bait Beach Gear Rentals offer fantastic seating and shade during season.

Photo by local mom, Olivia Coogan

Best beaches for kids near me

Have you checked out  Best Playgrounds on the Treasure Coast guide yet?

Remember to always check local guidelines and beach conditions before visiting, as they may vary. If visiting a beach in Martin County, you can call (772) 320-3112 to listen to a pre-recorded message on weather, lifeguard status, and other notices.