Jensen Beach’s Best Boating Tours
From fishing charters to airboat tours to brunch, we explore five ways to hit the waves around Jensen Beach and Port St. Lucie.
Jensen Beach and Port St. Lucie are just that: thriving ports. You can find all manner of on-the-water adventures, from slow, romantic cruises to the kind of fun and exciting journeys you’ll want all of your friends present for. Here we showcase five ways you can set sail today.
Deep-Sea Fishing
For an almost guaranteed shot at fighting the good fight to reel in a big fish, you’ll want to join Captain VJ Bell on the Unbelievable. Both spacious and speedy, the Unbelievable comfortably fits up to six people on her 61-foot custom-built vessel, including an indoor deck. Departing from Hutchinson Island, the charter includes all the tackle and gear you could need and Captain VJ knows where the fish are thanks to his 33 years as a commercial fisherman and captain off Florida’s east coast. All you have to do is cast and your fish is as good as caught.
Sunset Sails
The Schooner Lily leaves the port at Shepard Park three times a day, but the most sought-after tour is the sunset cruise. Captain Fred and Jamie Newhart take guests out on their double-masted sailing barge for two-hour tours down the St. Lucie River as the sun sets behind the city. Pack a lite dinner or some snacks and settle in for a charming and romantic evening.
River Cruise
There are few things as quintessentially Floridian as an airboat tour through the state’s rivers and swamps. Launching from the Blue Cypress rec area in Vero Beach (40 miles north of Jensen Beach), The Florida Cracker Airboat Rides take groups of up to 10 out on the water of St. Johns River and has been for 15 years. During the hour-long tour through the marsh and wetlands, you’ll spot osprey, cranes, and gators. As there are a limited amount of tours per day and they tend to sell out quickly, it is highly recommended you make reservation in advance.
Dolphin Tours
Imagine you and five of your closest friends or family members lounging on a 25-foot pontoon boat while dolphins jump in and out of the water around you. That’s what you’ll find at Dolphin Watch. The Indian River Lagoon is a mostly unspoiled marine ecosystem and the setting for your two-hour journey with Captain Adam Pozniak, a 40-year resident of St. Lucie County. Along with dolphins, you’ll likely find manatees, sea turtles, and a wide array of fish. So be sure to pack a camera.
Brunch Cruise
Island Princess Cruises offer a range of cruises that combine touring and eating, but the most popular is, by far, the Sunday brunch cruise. Spend two hours munching on all of the cinnamon rolls, quiche, breakfast sausage, and fresh fruit you can eat. Of course, no brunch at sea would be complete with Bloody Marys and Mimosas on the open-air top deck while taking in the lush natural beauty along the edge of the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers.
Where to Stay Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa
