Sebastian Inlet

Florida State Parks Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks History & Nature Visit Sebastian Inlet State Park to experience the “Treasure Coast.” The McLarty Treasure Museum is located at the south boundary of the park. Situated on a survivors’ camp of the wrecked 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet, the museum features artifacts, displays and an observation deck that overlooks the ocean. An Arts and Entertainment television production, The Queen’s Jewels and the 1715 Fleet, tells how the ill-fated fleet was returning to Spain when a hurricane struck them off the Florida coast. Still today, salvagers work to recover gold, silver and the “Queen’s jewels” that were lost to the sea and its sandy shores. The Sebastian Fishing Museum depicts the lives and history of the people who lived in Sebastian, interwoven with fishing and the Indian River Lagoon. The museum commemorates three of Sebastian’s early families that operated fish houses: Sembler, Smith and Judah. Featured is a replica of an original fish house and dock. A homemade fishing boat, nets, fishing gear and photos of fishing in the lagoon are also on display. Stretching over three miles of the barrier island, the park spans one thousand acres. Sebastian Inlet joins the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Lagoon. Bordering the lagoon side of the island is the tidal swamp. Red, black and white mangrove and buttonwood form impenetrable thickets along the shoreline. Juvenile snapper, snook, redfish, shrimp and crabs flourish in the protection of this dense system of hardwood trees able to grow in and near saltwater. River otter, diamondback terrapin and many species of shore birds make this habitat their home. Sebastian Inlet State Park 9700 South State Road A1A Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951 (321) 984-4852 FloridaStateParks.org • • • • • • • • Park Guidelines The McLarty Treasure Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Call (772) 589-2147 for inquiries. Sebastian Fishing Museum is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All plants, animals and park property are protected. Collection, destruction or disturbance is prohibited. Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and well behaved at all times. Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are allowed in designated areas only. A Florida fishing license may be required. Become a volunteer. Inquire at the ranger station. For camping information, contact Reserve America at (800) 326-3521 or (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or visit ReserveAmerica.com. Florida’s state parks are committed to providing equal access to all facilities and programs. Should you need assistance to enable your participation, please contact the ranger station. Alternate format available upon request at any Florida state park FLORIDA State Parks Created on 7/14 Central Florida Sebastian Inlet State Park Florida’s premier fishing and surfing spot on the east coast SM National Gold Medal Winner Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner” Real Fun in SM Welcome to Sebastian Inlet State Park, south of Melbourne on State Road A1A. Whether soaking a line in hopes of that memorable catch, splashing in the surf, catching a wave or watching manatees frolic off the inlet jetties, Sebastian Inlet State Park invites visitors to enjoy ...the Real Florida at its best. Shoreline and water abound to make for great surfing, swimming, snorkeling and beachcombing. Impressive catches come from the two jetties that extend into the ocean. Boat launch facilities provide access to nearby inshore and offshore fishing and diving and are located on the south side of the park and the park marina. The marina provides power boat rentals, canoe and kayak rentals, and overnight dockage. Call (321) 724-5424. Picnic pavilions with grills, water and electricity are available. Call (772) 589-9659 for reservations. Fifty-one campsites with water, electricity, fire ring and picnic tables are adjacent to the inlet. Showers, restrooms and laundry facilities are centrally located in the campground. A dump station is available. Call Reserve America at (800) 326-3521 or visit ReserveAmerica.com for reservations. Interpretive programs are offered regularly. Please contact the park ranger stations or museums for the latest schedule. Topics include fishing, castnetting, sea turtles, beachcombing and plant and bird identification walks. Ranger-led sea turtle programs during the months of June and July offer a chance to see a nesting loggerhead turtle. Reservations are required; call (772) 388-2750. Directions From northbound I-95, take exit 156 east to County Road 510 and east to A1A then 7 miles north. From southbound I-95, take exit 180 east to A1A. Go south 18 miles. The park is in south Melbourne Beach.