Sebastian Inlet State Park
Encyclopedia
Sebastian Inlet State Park is a Florida State Park located 10 miles south of Melbourne Beach
and 6 miles north of Vero Beach
, Florida
. The park lies on both sides of the Sebastian Inlet, which forms the boundary between Brevard
and Indian River
counties. The land for the park was acquired by the state of Florida in 1971. In 2010, it was the second most visited state park in Florida.
on the Atlantic
coast of Brevard County
, at a point where a channel links the Indian River
intracoastal waterway with the Atlantic. Part of the Park is south of the Inlet on Orchid Island
in Indian River County
fleet was wrecked in this area in 1715. The site where the survivors camped was added to the U.S.
National Register of Historic Places
on August 12, 1970, under the title of Spanish Fleet Survivors and Salvors Camp Site
. Today, the McLarty Treasure Museum
(a part of the park) exhibits artifacts relating to the wreck.
from both its Atlantic and Indian River shores; fishing jetties extend from both sides of the inlet into the ocean. There are facilities for swimming, surfing
, snorkeling
and scuba diving
from the 5 km (3.1 mi) of Atlantic beach. Boats can be launched into the Indian River, and there is a marina
complex at the north end of the park. Camping
is permitted in designated area.
Wildlife is abundant in the park, and the casual visitor can reasonably hope to see osprey
s and many species of shorebird
. Sea turtle
s nest in the park, and visitors during the summer may make reservations for a nighttime foray to observe nesting Loggerhead Turtles
. The park also contains two museums: McLarty Treasure Museum
and Sebastian Fishing Museum
.
Melbourne Beach, Florida
Melbourne Beach is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,335 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,314. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:The Ais Indians resided...
and 6 miles north of Vero Beach
Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a city in Indian River County, Florida, USA. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 16,939. It is the county seat of Indian River County...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The park lies on both sides of the Sebastian Inlet, which forms the boundary between Brevard
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
and Indian River
Indian River County, Florida
Indian River County is a county located in the Treasure Coast region in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 112,947. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 128,594...
counties. The land for the park was acquired by the state of Florida in 1971. In 2010, it was the second most visited state park in Florida.
Geography
The park occupies 755 acres (3.1 km²) on the barrier islandBarrier island
Barrier islands, a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, are relatively narrow strips of sand that parallel the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything from a few islands to more than a dozen...
on the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
coast of Brevard County
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
, at a point where a channel links the Indian River
Indian River (Florida)
The Indian River is a waterway in Florida, a part of the Indian River Lagoon system which forms the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It extends southward from the Ponce de Leon inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida [Volusia County] southward and across the "Haulover Canal" and along the western shore...
intracoastal waterway with the Atlantic. Part of the Park is south of the Inlet on Orchid Island
Orchid Island, Florida
Orchid Island, Florida, an Atlantic coastal barrier island located in Indian River County, Florida, is actually the Indian River County part of North Hutchinson Island, although that term in not used in Indian River County. Orchid Island is separated from the mainland on the west by the Indian...
in Indian River County
Indian River County, Florida
Indian River County is a county located in the Treasure Coast region in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 112,947. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 128,594...
History
A SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
fleet was wrecked in this area in 1715. The site where the survivors camped was added to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on August 12, 1970, under the title of Spanish Fleet Survivors and Salvors Camp Site
Survivors' and Salvagers' Camp - 1715 Fleet
The Survivors' and Salvagers’ Camp - 1715 Fleet is a historic site on Orchid Island, Florida. Survivors of the destroyed 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet established a camp at this location while awaiting rescue. Salvors also used the site as they recovered sunken treasure from the 1715 fleet. ...
. Today, the McLarty Treasure Museum
McLarty Treasure Museum
The McLarty Treasure Museum is located at 13180 North A1A, in the North Beach C.D.P., on Orchid Island, near Vero Beach, Florida. The museum occupies part of the former site of the Survivors' and Salvagers' Camp - 1715 Fleet, and is part of Sebastian Inlet State Park. It houses exhibits on the...
(a part of the park) exhibits artifacts relating to the wreck.
Recreational activities
The park mainly provides leisure activities, particularly fishingFishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
from both its Atlantic and Indian River shores; fishing jetties extend from both sides of the inlet into the ocean. There are facilities for swimming, surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, snorkeling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
and scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
from the 5 km (3.1 mi) of Atlantic beach. Boats can be launched into the Indian River, and there is a marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
complex at the north end of the park. Camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
is permitted in designated area.
Wildlife is abundant in the park, and the casual visitor can reasonably hope to see osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
s and many species of shorebird
Wader
Waders, called shorebirds in North America , are members of the order Charadriiformes, excluding the more marine web-footed seabird groups. The latter are the skuas , gulls , terns , skimmers , and auks...
. Sea turtle
Sea turtle
Sea turtles are marine reptiles that inhabit all of the world's oceans except the Arctic.-Distribution:...
s nest in the park, and visitors during the summer may make reservations for a nighttime foray to observe nesting Loggerhead Turtles
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle , or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to have been discovered...
. The park also contains two museums: McLarty Treasure Museum
McLarty Treasure Museum
The McLarty Treasure Museum is located at 13180 North A1A, in the North Beach C.D.P., on Orchid Island, near Vero Beach, Florida. The museum occupies part of the former site of the Survivors' and Salvagers' Camp - 1715 Fleet, and is part of Sebastian Inlet State Park. It houses exhibits on the...
and Sebastian Fishing Museum
Sebastian Fishing Museum
The Sebastian Fishing Museum is located in Sebastian Inlet State Park at the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, 9700 South Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida. It houses historical exhibits of the local fishing industry and its influence on the area....
.