| Sebastian Inlet State Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 Indian River shoreline of Sebastian Inlet State Park | |
   | |
| Location | Brevard andIndian River counties,Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Sebastian, Florida |
| Coordinates | 27°51′05″N80°26′41″W / 27.85139°N 80.44472°W /27.85139; -80.44472 |
| Established | August 12, 1970 |
| Visitors | 700,000 (in 2006) |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Sebastian Inlet State Park is aFlorida state park located 10 miles south ofMelbourne Beach and 6 miles north ofVero Beach inFlorida. The park lies on both sides of theSebastian Inlet, which forms the boundary betweenBrevard andIndian River counties. The land for the park was acquired by the state of Florida in 1971. In 2010, it was the second most visited state park in Florida.[1]
The park occupies 755 acres (3.06 km2) on thebarrier island on theAtlantic coast of Brevard County, at a point where a channel links theIndian River intracoastal waterway with the Atlantic. Part of the park is south of the inlet onNorth Vero Beach in Indian River County
ASpanish fleet was wrecked in this area in 1715. The site where the survivors camped was added to theU.S.National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 1970, under the title ofSpanish Fleet Survivors and Salvors Camp Site. Today, theMcLarty Treasure Museum (a part of the park) exhibits artifacts relating to the wreck.
The park mainly provides leisure activities, particularlyfishing from both its Atlantic and Indian River shores; fishing jetties extend from both sides of the inlet into the ocean. There are facilities forswimming,surfing,snorkeling andscuba diving from the 5 km (3.1 mi) of Atlantic beach. Boats can be launched into the Indian River, and there is amarina complex at the north end of the park.Camping is permitted in a designated area.
Wildlife is abundant in the park, and the casual visitor can reasonably hope to seeospreys and many species ofshorebird.Sea turtles nest in the park, and visitors during the summer may make reservations for a nighttime foray to observe nestingloggerhead turtles. The park also contains two museums:McLarty Treasure Museum andSebastian Fishing Museum.
Atidal pool (Robert Campbell Cove) within the state park contains varied marine and bird life and permits a safe area for swimming and a beach for children.[2]
Unlike many state parks, Sebastian Inlet is open 24 hours per day.
