Sebastian, Florida doesn't advertise itself the way Miami or Key West does — and that's exactly what makes it special. Tucked between the Sebastian River and the Indian River Lagoon in Indian River County, Sebastian is a genuine fishing village that Southern Living magazine named one of Florida's best-kept secrets for nature lovers. The Sebastian Inlet is one of the most productive fishing spots on the entire east coast of the United States. The Indian River Lagoon here is pristine, wildlife-rich, and far less trafficked than the sections further south. And Salty's Water Sports, with its Sebastian location on the lagoon, puts you directly on the water for jet ski rentals and dolphin tours with a 95% sighting rate. Here's a complete guide to making the most of Sebastian.
Sebastian Inlet State Park is the reason most people visit Sebastian — and it consistently earns its reputation as one of the best state parks in Florida. The park encompasses the inlet itself (the tidal channel connecting the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean), 3 miles of Atlantic beach on Orchid Island, and the lagoon-side waters of the Indian River. The inlet's tidal flow creates one of the most productive fishing environments on the east coast, and the park's facilities are excellent: two fishing jetties, a boat ramp, a marina, a campground, a surf shop, and the McLarty Treasure Museum.
Fishing at Sebastian Inlet is the main draw for serious anglers. The inlet's tidal flow concentrates snook, tarpon, redfish, flounder, and jack crevalle in the channel and along the jetties. The north jetty is particularly productive for snook during the summer months, when large fish stack up in the inlet's current to feed on baitfish being swept through by the tide. The south jetty is better for tarpon in the spring and early summer. The inlet's reputation is such that it attracts anglers from across Florida and beyond — if you're a serious fisherman, Sebastian Inlet is a bucket-list destination.
Surfing at Sebastian Inlet is equally renowned. The inlet's sandbars create consistent, powerful waves that are among the best on Florida's east coast — the break at Sebastian Inlet has produced multiple professional surfers and hosts regular competitions. The waves are best in the fall and winter when northeast swells push through, but the inlet produces rideable surf year-round. The surf shop at the park rents boards and offers lessons for beginners.
Snorkeling and diving at Sebastian Inlet are excellent on calm days. The inlet's rocky edges and the nearshore reef structure support a diverse fish population — sheepshead, snapper, grouper, and a variety of reef fish are all present. The visibility is best in the winter months when the water is clearest. The park also has a designated swimming beach on the Atlantic side, protected by the inlet's natural breakwater.
The section of the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian is among the most pristine and wildlife-rich in the entire 156-mile estuary. The lagoon here is wider and deeper than the sections further south, with extensive seagrass beds that support large populations of manatees, sea turtles, and the resident bottlenose dolphins that Salty's guides know by name. The Sebastian section of the lagoon is also one of the best places in Florida to see roseate spoonbills — a striking pink wading bird that feeds in the shallow lagoon margins in the early morning.
Salty's Water Sports operates from Sebastian and offers jet ski rentals on Sea-Doo GTX models, guided Jet Ski Dolphin Tours, and Dolphin Boat Tours with USCG-licensed naturalist captains. The Sebastian location is the best starting point for exploring the northern Indian River Lagoon — the waters here are less trafficked than the Fort Pierce and Jensen Beach sections, and the wildlife density is exceptional. Morning tours from Sebastian regularly encounter manatees from October through April, and dolphin sightings are consistent year-round. Book at saltyswatersports.com or call (772) 448-4516.
Kayaking and paddleboarding on the lagoon from Sebastian are outstanding. The St. Sebastian River, which flows into the Indian River Lagoon just north of the town, is one of the most scenic paddling routes on the Treasure Coast — a narrow, tannic river lined with cypress trees and Spanish moss, where otters, alligators, and wood storks are common sights. The river's calm, shaded waters are a complete contrast to the open lagoon, and the combination of a river paddle in the morning and a lagoon jet ski tour in the afternoon makes for an exceptional full day on the water.
The McLarty Treasure Museum, located within Sebastian Inlet State Park, tells one of Florida's most dramatic stories: the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet disaster. On July 31, 1715, a fleet of 11 Spanish galleons laden with silver, gold, and jewels from the New World was caught by a hurricane off the coast of what is now Sebastian and sank in the shallow waters just offshore. More than 1,000 sailors died, and the treasure — estimated at millions of pieces of eight and gold coins — scattered across the seafloor.
The treasure was largely forgotten for 250 years until a salvage diver named Kip Wagner began recovering coins and artifacts from the wreck sites in the 1950s and 1960s. The McLarty Museum is built on the site of the survivors' camp — the spot where the shipwreck survivors gathered after the storm — and its exhibits cover the history of the fleet, the salvage operations, and the artifacts recovered from the wrecks. The museum is small but genuinely fascinating, and the gift shop sells replica coins from the 1715 fleet. Admission is $2 — one of the best value cultural experiences in Florida.
The 1715 Fleet wreck sites are still active salvage areas, and treasure hunting continues to this day. In 2015, a salvage team recovered $4.5 million worth of gold coins and chains from a wreck site just 150 feet offshore of Sebastian — a reminder that the treasure is still out there. Snorkeling over the wreck sites (with a licensed salvage operator) is possible and offers a genuinely unique underwater experience.
Squid Lips on the Indian River Lagoon is the quintessential Sebastian dining experience — a waterfront seafood restaurant with a large outdoor deck, live music on weekends, and a menu built around fresh local catch. The fish tacos, the grouper sandwich, and the stone crab claws (in season) are all excellent. The views of the lagoon at sunset are among the best in Indian River County, and the atmosphere is genuinely relaxed and local.
Captain Hiram's Resort is Sebastian's most famous waterfront complex — a marina, restaurant, tiki bar, and live music venue on the Indian River Lagoon that has been a Treasure Coast institution for decades. The restaurant serves solid seafood and American fare, but the real draw is the atmosphere: a sprawling waterfront complex with a marina full of boats, a beach bar, and live music most evenings. The Sunday brunch is particularly popular with locals.
The Crab Stop in downtown Sebastian is the best casual seafood option in town — a no-frills crab house with excellent stone crab, blue crab, and shrimp at prices that are significantly lower than the waterfront restaurants. The stone crab claws (in season, October–May) are the menu anchor, and the portions are generous. Arrive early — the Crab Stop fills up quickly on weekends.
Osceola Street Café is Sebastian's best breakfast spot — a small, locally owned café in downtown Sebastian with excellent eggs, fresh-baked pastries, and the kind of unhurried morning atmosphere that's increasingly rare in Florida's coastal towns. The breakfast burrito and the French toast are both worth ordering.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Indian River Lagoon just north of Sebastian, holds a unique distinction: it was the first federal wildlife refuge in the United States, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 to protect the brown pelican population from plume hunters. The refuge encompasses Pelican Island itself — a small mangrove island in the lagoon — and the surrounding waters, which are protected as a no-motor zone.
The refuge is accessible only by non-motorized watercraft — kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. The island itself cannot be landed on (it's a protected nesting area), but paddling around the perimeter offers exceptional wildlife viewing: brown pelicans, great blue herons, roseate spoonbills, and wood storks all nest on the island, and the surrounding waters are rich with manatees and dolphins. The observation tower on the mainland side of the refuge provides elevated views of the island and the lagoon. The refuge is free to visit and open year-round.
Sebastian is located in Indian River County, approximately 2 hours north of Miami and 2 hours south of Jacksonville. The town is accessible via I-95 (Exit 156, CR-512 east) or US-1. Sebastian Inlet State Park is 10 miles south of the town center on SR-A1A. The best time to visit is October through April, when temperatures are mild, manatees are present in the lagoon, and the fishing is at its best. Summer (June–September) offers excellent surfing and sea turtle nesting season, but afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Book water sports with Salty's Water Sports at saltyswatersports.com or call (772) 448-4516. The Sebastian location is on the Indian River Lagoon — morning slots offer the best wildlife sighting rates and calmest water conditions.
Sebastian, Florida is known for world-class fishing (Sebastian Inlet is one of the most productive fishing spots on the east coast), surfing (the inlet's sandbars produce some of Florida's best waves), the Indian River Lagoon's wildlife (manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and 300+ bird species), the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet (the wreck sites are just offshore, and treasure is still being recovered), and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (the first federal wildlife refuge in the US). Southern Living named Sebastian one of Florida's best-kept secrets for nature lovers.
Sebastian offers jet ski rentals (Sea-Doo GTX), guided Jet Ski Dolphin Tours with a 95% sighting rate, Dolphin Boat Tours with USCG-licensed captains, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing (at Sebastian Inlet), fishing charters, and snorkeling. Salty's Water Sports operates from Sebastian and is the premier water sports operator on the northern Treasure Coast. Book at saltyswatersports.com or call (772) 448-4516.
Yes — Sebastian is one of the most underrated destinations on Florida's east coast. It offers world-class fishing and surfing at Sebastian Inlet, extraordinary wildlife on the Indian River Lagoon (manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, roseate spoonbills), the unique history of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (the first federal wildlife refuge in the US), and excellent waterfront dining — all without the crowds and prices of Florida's more famous coastal towns. Southern Living magazine named it one of Florida's best-kept secrets for nature lovers.
Sebastian is approximately 35 miles north of Fort Pierce — about 40 minutes by car via US-1 or I-95. Both cities are on the Indian River Lagoon, and Salty's Water Sports operates locations in both Sebastian and Fort Pierce, as well as Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Vero Beach. If you're visiting the Treasure Coast, Sebastian and Fort Pierce are both worth a day each — the two cities offer complementary experiences on the same extraordinary waterway.
Choose your Salty's experience, select the most convenient launch location, and reserve online. Questions? Call (772) 448-4516.