Are you looking for the best things to do in Hutchinson Island FL? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be sharing some amazing attractions in Hutchinson Island that you cannot miss.
With its rich history, abundant marine life, and gorgeous beaches, Hutchinson Island is one of the best places to visit in Florida.
The 24-mile-long East Coast Florida island is located off the coasts of St. Lucie Country and Martin County and is flanked by the Indian River on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east.
Whether you are looking for a trip with friends or a couple’s vacation, Hutchinson Island is an excellent choice for everyone.
Visitors can stay in a nearby resort and indulge in fun activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, and so on.
From snorkeling in the ocean to visiting museums, to relaxing on the stunning beaches, there is no shortage of things to do in Hutchinson Island Florida.
Are you still confused about what to do in Hutchinson Island? Then, read our list of the some Best Things to do in Hutchinson Island FL and Nearby!
Can You Swim on Hutchinson Island?
Although most of the beaches on Hutchinson Island have too rough waves for surfing or swimming, there are a few spots where you can enjoy swimming on the island.
You will find locals indulging in fun water activities here such as kayaking, boating, swimming, and so on. Plus, a few beaches even have a lifeguard tower so, you don’t have to worry about safety while swimming here.
One of the best places for swimming on Hutchinson Island is the Bathtub Reef Beach. The water here is warm year-round and the reef along this beach keeps the water considerably calmer for swimming.
This beautiful beach in Florida is located near Sailfish Point and forms a bathtub-shaped basin of water with a sandy bottom. Beyond the reef, visitors can go snorkeling and catch sight of nurse sharks, cobia, and more.
Does Hutchinson Island Have a Downtown?
The nearest downtowns that can be easily accessed from Hutchinson Island are the historic Jensen Beach downtown and the Stuart downtown.
These downtowns are a 15-minute and 25-minute drive from this Florida Island, respectively.
The downtowns feature lots of amazing attractions which you can explore along with shops, restaurants, and pubs.
So, if you are looking for a place to hang out in the evening and enjoy the nightlife, then the historic downtowns of Jensen Beach and Stuart Town are perfect!
10 Best Things To Do In Hutchinson Island FL and Nearby
Spending a Day at the Stuart Beach
If you are looking for fun things to do in Hutchinson Island FL, then one of the top places to visit here is Stuart Beach.
Located across from the Florida Oceanographic Coaster Center and the Elliott Museum, this is a popular beach on Hutchinson Island among both locals and tourists.
The beach is situated at a sea grape forest and features lots of amenities such as a gazebo, covered picnic areas, volleyball and basketball courts, and so on.
Since this beach is exposed, the ideal time for visiting is early morning or during sunsets.
You also have showers and restrooms available here for use after surfing or swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.
If you are looking for some light activity, you can walk to Jensen Beach Park from Stuart Beach. It is a 3-mile walk with sidewalks on both sides.
Too much activity? Well, you can always walk to Tiger Shores Beach which is a short distance from Stuart Beach.
The water is clear and turquoise-colored and ideal for jumping in. Families can easily set up a picnic under colorful beach umbrellas and spend a day in the ocean or playing on the beach.
Apart from this, the beach also features a grass shack known as Seaside Café. Here, you can enjoy the shade and delicious snacks including ice cream sandwiches while enjoying the stunning views of the ocean.
Trust me, if you are looking for free things to do in Hutchinson Island Florida, then you should spend a day at Stuart Beach.
Visit Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge
One of the top attractions in Hutchinson Island FL, Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge is the last surviving building that has been preserved and converted into a museum.
Originally, there were ten Houses of Refuge on the Florida coastline that offered a place for shipwreck survivors and anyone in need.
In the earlier days, the hosts of the Houses of Refuge would search for people in need after a storm and offer food, warmth, and help to the shipwreck survivors.
The one on Hutchinson Island is the only one remaining, dating back to 1876, and is one of the top things to do in Florida.
This is a great place to learn the history of this area and the storms that affected this part, making it one of the best places to visit in Hutchinson Island for history lovers.
Here, you will find different life-saving equipment used back in the earlier days for rescue. There are a lot of WWII artifacts and objects available here as well since this place played a major role in it.
Trust me, if you are looking for the best things to do in Hutchinson Island FL, then visiting Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge is a must.
The Elliott Museum
Are you wondering what to do in Hutchinson Island FL on a rainy day? Well, there is nothing better than visiting an indoor attraction such as the Elliott Museum.
Started by Harmon Elliott in honor of his dad, The Elliott Museum features many historical artifacts and is a great history lesson for visitors.
There are both permanent and temporary exhibits here to display the passions of Sterling Elliott. You can learn about the history of transportation and its impact on the American culture.
For car enthusiasts, the three-level car racking system holding over 50 vehicles is a must-visit.
From antique Ford trucks to vintage baseball cards, you can find some of the oldest Hutchinson Island artifacts here.
The baseball memorabilia collection features over 250 signed baseballs. Trust me, you can easily spend an hour or two exploring this local museum.
So, if you are interested in a history lesson, then one of the best things to do in Hutchinson Island Florida is visiting the Elliott Museum.
Relax at the Jensen Beach Park
If you are looking for a relaxing place to visit in Hutchinson Island, then Jensen Beach Park is perfect for you.
One of the best things to do in Hutchinson Island with kids is visiting Jensen Beach which is one of the largest beaches on the island.
Visitors can make use of the facilities on the island including showers, picnic areas, volleyball, and more. Another great thing about Jensen Beach is that sea turtles nest here during the summers so you can go on a Turtle Walk to see one of them.
Apart from that, there are many fun water activities to indulge in as well such as snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, and more.
If you are looking for fun things to do near Hutchinson Island, then do spend a day at Jensen Beach Park.
Take the Sound Bath/Sound Healing Therapy
If you are looking for the best activities in Hutchinson Island Florida, then you should take a Sound Healing session.
There are several institutes on Hutchinson Island that offer this experience to visitors including the famous Elliott Museum.
Sound healing is an ancient technique in which tonal frequencies are used to get the body back to its natural state of harmony and vibrational balance.
It is similar to a massage but it heals not just your body but your mind too. The crystal bowls are attuned to the chakras while the gong helps in relieving tension in your bones.
This activity is the best way to relax on your vacation and heal the stress that you have been carrying around for a while.
So, if you are looking for relaxing things to do in Hutchinson Island Florida, then do try Sound Healing therapy.
Visit The Florida Oceanographic Center
Are you looking for the best attractions in Hutchinson Island to visit with your family? If yes, then do check out the Florida Oceanographic Center.
This marine life nature center is run by a non-profit organization and is the perfect place to learn about the local wildlife.
The center features an event space, multiple exhibits, a children’s activity pavilion area, and more. They run several educational and restoration programs in which both locals and tourists can participate.
A few of the famous projects run by the center are the Oyster Restoration program, Oyster Shell Bagging, World Ocean Day Beach Cleanup, and more.
One of the best places to visit in Hutchinson Island FL, the Florida Oceanographic Center offers a lot of interesting activities for visitors.
From taking natural trails around the reserve to watching feeding sessions of sea turtles and stingrays, there is a lot to do here.
Trust me, visiting this marine life center and interacting with the wildlife here is one of the best things to do in Hutchinson Island Florida.
Go Snorkeling at Bathtub Beach
Are you in search of the best activities in Hutchinson Island Florida? If so, then you cannot miss out on snorkeling at Bathtub Beach.
One of the top free things to do in Hutchinson Island FL is chilling on this soft sand beach with your family or friends.
Located in the southern part of the island, Bathtub Beach is home to clear and warm waters that make it an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
The best thing about this beach is that it has a near-shore reef that is home to a diverse range of marine animals.
That’s not all, the reef also helps in breaking the waves which makes it a safe spot for swimming with kids. They have also added sea oats and sand dunes to keep the beach protected for a long time.
Trust me, one of the best things to do in Hutchinson Island for adults is snorkeling and diving at Bathtub Beach.
Explore Downtown Stuart
One of the best things to do in Hutchinson Island for adults is exploring downtown Stuart which is a 25-minute drive from the island.
Touted as the ‘America’s Happiest Seaside Town’ by Coastal Living Magazine, there is a lot to do in Stuart.
Here, you can explore the historic homes of Seminole Street and the Sunset Bay Marina Docks. Visit the colorful clothing stores and the old-fashioned barbershops.
In fact, one of the best things to do in Hutchinson Island at night is enjoy a walk on the Riverwalk boardwalk in downtown Stuart.
You can later enjoy food and drinks at one of the 50 locally-owned restaurants and shops in this Florida town.
If you happen to visit on a Sunday, then don’t miss the Market on Main community market here.
It takes place at Flagler Park and features live music along with local products such as baked goods, handmade jewelry, beard care products, and more.
So, if you want to explore the town a little, then downtown Stuart is a top place to visit on Hutchinson Island.
Go For a Sunset Sail
If you are looking for fun things to do in Hutchinson Island, then you might want to try one of the boat tours here and explore the waters around the island.
There are several kinds of boat tours available in which you can catch a sight of Florida’s alligators, explore the Atlantic coast’s ecosystem, and so much more.
On the other hand, if you are looking for things to do near Hutchinson Island with your partner, then a relaxing sunset sail might be a better choice.
You can enjoy the sunset aboard Schooner Lilly while watching out for dolphins, ospreys, pelicans, and more.
Trust me, there could be nothing more romantic than sailing into the distance as the sun slowly sets and you are aboard the charter with your partner.
Experience the Turtle Walk
One of the best things to do in Hutchinson Island with kids in the summer, July and July to be precise, is going for turtle walks.
Over 100,000 endangered sea turtles nest on Florida beaches every year between the months of March and October.
They lay 80-120 eggs at a time which hatch two months later and you can see tiny turtles making their way back to the sea.
These turtle walks are organized by the Hobe Sound Nature Center, the Florida Oceanographic Society, and Inwater Organization.
It could be free of cost or the tour cost might be as much as 20 USD. But one thing is for sure these tours fill up quickly so book your seat in advance.
On the turtle walk, spotters go out to find the turtles and then take the group to the spot where the turtle is digging her pit and laying the eggs.
One must be careful to not touch or disturb the turtle in any way. The activity takes place late at night but is completely worth the effort.
Trust me, if you are looking for fun things to do in Hutchinson Island at night, especially in summer, then a turtle walk is perfect for you.
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