Sebastian Inlet State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sebastian Inlet State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Indian River shoreline of Sebastian Inlet State Park
Sebastian Inlet State Park Location in Florida
Location	Brevard and Indian River counties, Florida, United States
Nearest city	Sebastian, Florida
Established	August 12, 1970
Visitors	700,000 (in 2006)
Governing body	Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Sebastian Inlet State Park is a cool state park in Florida. It's about 10 miles south of Melbourne Beach and 6 miles north of Vero Beach. The park sits on both sides of the Sebastian Inlet. An inlet is a narrow waterway that connects a larger body of water, like a river or lagoon, to the ocean. This inlet also marks the border between Brevard and Indian River counties.

Florida bought the land for this park in 1971. By 2010, it was the second most popular state park in all of Florida!

Where is Sebastian Inlet State Park?

This park covers about 755 acres (which is about 3 square kilometers). It's located on a barrier island along Florida's Atlantic coast. A barrier island is a long, narrow island that protects the mainland from ocean waves and storms.

The park is right where the Sebastian Inlet connects the Indian River (which is part of a long waterway called the Intracoastal Waterway) to the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the park is also south of the inlet, on Orchid Island, in Indian River County.

A Glimpse into History

Sebastian Inlet has an interesting past! In 1715, a Spanish fleet of ships was wrecked in this area during a hurricane. Imagine all those ships carrying treasure! The place where the survivors of this shipwreck camped was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 1970. It's known as the Spanish Fleet Survivors and Salvors Camp Site.

Today, you can visit the McLarty Treasure Museum inside the park. This museum shows off cool items and artifacts found from that famous 1715 shipwreck. It's like stepping back in time to see what life was like for those who survived!

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Sebastian Inlet State Park is a fantastic place for outdoor fun and adventure!

Fishing and Water Sports

One of the most popular activities here is fishing. You can fish from both the Atlantic Ocean side and the Indian River side. There are long fishing piers, called jetties, that stretch out into the ocean from both sides of the inlet.

If you love the water, you can go swimming, surfing, snorkeling, or even scuba diving along the 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) of Atlantic beach. For those with boats, there's a place to launch them into the Indian River, and there's also a marina.

Camping and Wildlife Watching

Want to stay overnight? You can go camping in a special area of the park.

The park is also home to lots of amazing wildlife. You can often spot ospreys, which are large fishing birds, and many different kinds of shorebirds walking along the water's edge.

Sea Turtles and Museums

Sea turtles love to nest their eggs on the park's beaches. If you visit during the summer, you might be able to reserve a spot for a special nighttime trip to watch loggerhead turtles lay their eggs. It's an incredible experience!

Besides the McLarty Treasure Museum, the park also has the Sebastian Fishing Museum. Here, you can learn all about the history of fishing in the area.

Robert Campbell Cove: A Safe Spot for Kids

There's a special spot within the park called Robert Campbell Cove. It's a tidal pool, which means it's a calm area of water that fills and empties with the tides. This cove is a safe place for swimming and has a nice beach for children to play on. You can also see lots of different marine animals and birds here.

New Birding Adventure

By May 2021, the park plans to have a new activity for visitors. There will be interactive signs along a path that highlight different birds found in the park. You'll be able to use a QR code on your phone to learn cool facts about these birds as you walk! This project was made possible by a generous donation from Bonnie Lizer, who loved Florida's state parks.

Park Hours

Unlike many state parks that close at night, Sebastian Inlet is open 24 hours a day! This means you can enjoy its beauty and activities any time.