Additional Information for St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

Wildlife

The park abounds with birdlife. Wading and shorebirds can be seen throughout. During the winter, the beach is used by many species of migratory shore birds. The park offers a biological and recreational experience that is rapidly vanishing from Florida. With proper resource and land-use management, these areas will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

A reef formation, inhabited by a wide variety of marine life, lies offshore of the park. This protected reef runs south from the inlet for 4.7 miles. Reef depths range from about 5 feet to 35 feet. The reef itself is primarily composed of Anastasia Formation rock. This is limestone-based material with coquina and shell fragments mixed in. Most Anastasia Formation was formed approximately 100,000 years ago.

Today, many different types of plants and animals are attracted to or are associated with the reef. Over 150 different species of fish can be seen, as well as countless numbers of algae, sponges, crabs, and other marine life. Currently, 12 species of hard and soft corals have been identified. With this in mind, you are urged not to anchor on any hard bottom.

Area Geography

Upon your arrival by boat at the dock, you find yourself in an estuary. This mixture of salt and fresh water teems with marine life and wading birds. If you are fortunate, a manatee may be seen feeding in the grass beds north of the dock. Most of Florida’s important recreational and commercial fish and shellfish utilize grass beds and mangroves at some point in their life cycles.

A 3,300-foot boardwalk meanders from the dock to the beach. Along the way, you will traverse two coastal hammocks. The skunk-like aroma is from the white stopper, a tropical tree. Some of the common plants observed are live oak, cabbage palm, paradise tree, wild lime and several different species of ferns.

Pets

Please see our General Parks Pet Policy for more information.