Best of Martin County
A visitor guide to the rivers, reefs, beaches and small towns at the south end of the Treasure Coast.
See things to do »Martin County at a Glance
Martin County is the southernmost of the three Treasure Coast counties, sitting between Palm Beach County to the south and St. Lucie County to the north. It is a place where growth has been held deliberately in check. Building heights are capped, much of the coast is protected as parks and refuges, and the result is a county where a beach day, a river paddle and dinner in a historic downtown can all fit comfortably into one afternoon.
Water shapes almost everything here. The St. Lucie River winds through Stuart and Palm City before meeting the Indian River Lagoon at the St. Lucie Inlet, one of the richest estuaries on the Atlantic coast. Offshore, the warm Gulf Stream passes close to land, which is why Stuart has long promoted itself as the Sailfish Capital of the World and why charter boats leave the marinas before sunrise most days of the year.
Stuart, the county seat, has a compact downtown of restored buildings along the river, with a riverwalk, a historic theater and independent restaurants. Across the bridges, Hutchinson Island holds most of the county’s ocean beaches along with a trio of attractions within a few minutes of each other: the Elliott Museum, the House of Refuge and Florida Oceanographic’s coastal center. Jensen Beach, on the mainland side of the lagoon, keeps an old fishing-village feel along Indian River Drive.
South of Stuart, Hobe Sound and the Town of Jupiter Island are mostly protected land: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, a national wildlife refuge with miles of empty beach, and the limestone shoreline at Blowing Rocks. To the west, Palm City is largely residential, and Indiantown, near Lake Okeechobee, is rural country of cattle ranches, citrus and wide open preserves.
Getting around is straightforward. U.S. 1 runs north and south through Stuart and Hobe Sound, I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike cross the western side of the county, and two causeways and the Ernest Lyons Bridge link the mainland to Hutchinson Island. Most of the county’s hotels are small, and many are independent inns, resort condominiums or vacation rentals rather than large chains, so book early for winter weekends. Boaters have an easier time than most: marinas line the St. Lucie River and the Manatee Pocket, and many waterfront restaurants keep docks for diners arriving by water. If you are not bringing a boat, rentals, fishing guides and sandbar charters are easy to find.
This guide is organized into four areas, each with its own page of places worth visiting and bookable tours where they exist. You will also find a dining guide of restaurants we checked are operating and a list of yearly events. Winter and spring are the busy seasons; summer is hot and quieter, and it is the time to join a guided walk to watch sea turtles nest on the beaches.
Explore Martin County by Area
Top-Rated Things to Do in Martin County
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Martin County may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Eat in Martin County
Raw bars on the Manatee Pocket, fish houses along Indian River Drive, chef-run dining rooms in downtown Stuart and a roadside landmark in Hobe Sound that has been serving since 1941: our dining guide lists 15 restaurants we checked are operating.
Festivals and Events in Martin County
The year opens with the Stuart Boat Show in January, followed by ArtsFest and the county fair in February. Fall brings the Stuart Air Show, and December fills downtown Stuart, Hobe Sound and Jensen Beach with holiday events.
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Martin County — FAQ
Where is Martin County, Florida?
On Florida’s Atlantic coast about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach, between Palm Beach County and St. Lucie County. Its main towns are Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Port Salerno and Indiantown.
What is the nearest airport?
Palm Beach International (PBI) is the closest airport with airline service, usually about 45 minutes to an hour from Stuart by I-95 or Florida’s Turnpike. Witham Field in Stuart serves private and general aviation only.
When is the best time to visit?
November through April brings dry, mild weather and the fullest events calendar. Summer is hot with afternoon storms and is also hurricane season, but hotel rates are lower and sea turtle nesting is at its peak.
Do I need a car in Martin County?
Yes. There is no passenger rail station yet, and beaches, parks and towns are spread out. Downtown Stuart and Jensen Beach’s small downtown are easy to walk once you are there.
Is Martin County good for families?
Very. The calm reef-sheltered water at Bathtub Reef Beach, the touch pools and aquarium at Florida Oceanographic, the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast and the county waterpark in Stuart are all built for children.
How is Martin County different from Palm Beach County?
It is smaller, slower and much less built up. You will find few high-rises, more preserved shoreline and a strong focus on fishing, boating and nature rather than nightlife and shopping.