Great little park on blue cypress lake. camping is $5.00 a night with hot shower's and flush…read moreToilet. Bait and boat rentals too. Love all the birds and wildlife. I will be back soon.

Having fished Roy many times we finally went sightseeing. Living there all his life Roy knows just…read moreabout everything. Get in the boat and let him do what he does best. Not like other "airboat rides". No two routes the same, not a zoo with pet alligators. Can't believe this environment still exists. Would do again for sure.

This is true southern hospitality. They make you feel like family and it has an incredible history…read moreand is an incredible piece of property! Always a great place to rent small motor boats, kayaks, canoes with awesome waterways to explore. They also have fishing tackle, bait etc... Enjoy a cold beer while watching the sunset, dolphins, NATURE

This marina/shipyard is excellent. The staff is very helpful and attentive. I would recommend this…read morebusiness to anyone needing to store a boat.

I was so impressed with this park. It's located on the Indian River with stunning views of the…read morewater. There is a fountain for the kids to play in that opened in 2001 and I gather that when it is on there is a $1 entrance fee but no one was around when I visited. Other park amenities include restrooms, art, benches, and a fishing pier. In March of this year a historical marker was placed in the east part of the park relating the history of the three bridges connecting the Vero Beach mainland and beaches. Vero Beach was the first community to have a bridge to Orchid Island when one opened on Labor Day of 1920. The first cars to cross it were Model T's. In 1951 the concrete Merrill P. Barber bridge was opened and replaced by a concrete arch bridge in 1995. The marker in this park is one of twenty two in Indian County. This park also has beautiful art. There are four large mosaic pillars that represent the natural setting of Vero Beach, the ocean, the Indian River Lagoon, the upland hammock, and the wetlands. Each side of the pillar depicts a different time of day and the animals that live in each habitat. Usually water front property is taken up by million dollar mansions. It is so nice to see that Vero Beach preserved this prime piece of property so that everyone can enjoy it. You can come here to take the kids to cool off, fish, picnic, or just drink in the the glorious view of the Indian River.

Amazing pier like a lot better than I expected I came here to have a picnic with my man before…read moregoing to McKee botanical garden and it was so well kept together and very clean. I had a lot of fun walking around . Looks like fishing is available and lots of space for relaxing . Lots of seating too!

Castaway Point Park is a small park sitting on a peninsula between the Indian River Lagoon and the…read moremouth of Turkey Creek. While it may not be as big as some of the other area parks it has been recently renovated and the location makes this a standout spot for water based recreational activities. This park was also a favorite spot of the Native Americans and early settlers who once lived here. Recent improvements to the park include hardening of the shoreline with rocks, new north observation pier, a new boardwalk connecting the north and south pier, and new decking for the south observation pier. Other park amenities include a concrete walkway, fishing piers with fish cleaning stations, benches, pavilions which can be rented, picnic tables, grills, kayak/canoe launch, and restrooms. This park has one of the only natural beaches on the Indian River Lagoon. Many people visit this park to fish from the piers and beach. I loved it for the stunning river view and the diverse bird life it attracts. I saw anhinga, great blue herons, and egrets. If you are lucky you may even spot a manatee or dolphin. I recommend coming here for an amazing sunset view.

Oh god the amount of dead fish washed up on the beach is horrendous. There is glass in the sand out…read morein the water, I cut both feet. It also seems to be a homeless hangout.

We did a family fishing trip(me, my husband and our 13 yr. olds) with Sam and it was excellent. We…read morelove to fish but mainly get to do it on vacations, so always go with a charter. Sam and his team at Down Sea Charters were terrific. Booking was easy and Capt Sam is a wealth of knowledge about the area. He is friendly, patient and perseverant- one of the best guides we've ever had. A perfect blend of sharing info about the fish and the area and getting us to do some great fishing! His boat and equipment are pristine. I highly recommend Down Sea Charters and now I have to go because my son is obsessed with catching more snook!

My wife and I headed out for an in-shore charter with Capt. Sam in hopes to bring home some dinner…read more We're not foreign to the water or fishing, but needed a solid refresher to get the cobwebs off. From early in the booking process to when we first stepped on the boat, Capt Sam was extremely knowledgeable about what was biting, areas to fish up and down the intercostal, all while educating on technique & the local environmental factors at play. The entire charter Capt Sam was engaged and kept the vibes light & positive throughout. We ended up landing a few keepers (2 Pompano & Trout) and several smaller species like jack & pinfish. Capt Sam also provides some great advice on cooking up the Pompano after providing some nice fillets. Overall, if you're looking for a seasoned guide that is knowledgeable, good natured, and experience a awesome day on the water with one of the top flats boats on the market then you're in for a treat with Capt Sam. great day and will be back for another round.

Our family had SO MUCH fun on this tour. None of us had been on one before this, and we will…read moredefinitely do it again next time we are in Florida. Captain Krista was funny, kind and very knowledgeable about the wildlife and vegetation. We highly recommend Stumpknocker airboat tours!!!!!

Cpt Krista has a deep knowledge of the area and the wildlife…read more She brought us up close to multiple alligators (32) to see them in the wild and was very informative of their habitat and life cycles. They are amazing creatures. If you want to be up close to a multitude of birds, gators, turtles, this is the boat to be on. This was the best thing we did all week Thanks Cpt Krista , well done

We have fished with Capt Terry 3 times so far. And we have always caught many and great fish. He…read moreknows where the fish are and he gets us out to them first. My wife got me started for my birthday. Back then it was $600. and I told her we were not spending $600 to catch a couple of fish. Well, We went with my wife, her sister and a friend. Wow, we started catching king fish, cobia, red snapper and finally mahi-mahi. That my friend was our turning point. When we got home, I sold my 26' boat, my poontoon boat and my jeep that pulled them. Since then, it has only charter fishing. Capt. Terry and usually John are the best. We are going out again this coming friday. So, if you want the best...THE BIG EASY is for you. Rick/Fran

Myself and four buddies fished with Captain Terry and first mate John on the Big Easy in early…read moreJune. Both captain and mate did a great job of putting us on fish as well as making sure we got them to the boat! We did a full day, departed at 5.30am and back to the dock for 2.30pm. During the day, we had a nice mix of bottom fishing as well as trolling. Captain Terry was good about accommodating our request to do a bit more trolling than normal. John, the mate was on point all day long and was friendly and helpful with lots of tips and info. By days end we caught a 25# grouper, 60# AJ, 5 Mahi between 10#-20#, along with some other good eating fish mixed in. All five of us had a great time, and we will certainly be back in the near future. Thanks Big Easy!

Had a great time fishing Indian River Lagoon with captain Billy Davenport. We caught over 60 fish…read moreincluding lots of sea trout, mangrove snapper, redfish and even a grouper. Billy is a great local guide that helps with everything. He's very patient & has lots of cool fish stories.

This natural area was a delightful discovery next to the Palm Bay Library. The sanctuary sits on a…read moresmall section of what was once an ancient Atlantic Ocean dune which was part of a series of dunes formed by wind and wave action when the ocean extended across Florida. Through many years the sand was enriched so that a forest grew where only sea oats previously survived. The land that makes up Turkey Creek Sanctuary was donated to the Florida Audubon Society and the City of Palm Bay in 1978. Fundraising to conserve the area began in 1981 by a citizen support group which is still in existence today as the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Society, Inc., a registered non profit. The purpose of the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Society is to raise funds to support the improvement and upkeep of Turkey Creek Sanctuary and to educate the community on the vital importance and the many benefits of Florida wildlife and its natural environment. By 1994, 113 acres were protected by the voluntary management committee. Today Turkey Creek Sanctuary is part of the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program which added acres to the sanctuary in 2004. It is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Some of the birds you might see here include ospreys and owls in the old pine canopy and woodpeckers and the rare purple martin. There are also alligators, manatees, gar fish, and turtles in Turkey Creek which can be accessed by canoe or kayak. Turkey Creek Sanctuary has more than three miles of marked trails through 130 acres of sand pines, saw palmettos, and live oaks. There is a 1.85 mile boardwalk that passes through a hydric hammock, mesic hammock, and sand pine scrub community. Also in the sanctuary there are 1.5 miles of jogging trails through native forest and a 1 mile mountain bike trail that connects to an additional 8 miles. The Margaret Hames Nature Center was opened in 1992 and offers interpretive exhibits, a restroom, and environmental education programs that include nature day camps, tours, nature library, and a gift store. I loved my hike at Turkey Creek Sanctuary. I started off by visiting the Margaret Hames Nature Center where you can see exhibits, use the restroom. and purchase a drink. Near the entrance to the boardwalk I spotted a gopher tortoise wandering around. The boardwalk area was mainly shaded with lots of interpretive signs. My favorite spots were the tree house and the Oli Johnson Canoe Deck where you can look for alligators and turtles. This is such a beautiful spot. If I lived closer I would be a regular visitor.

This place is a true sanctuary. Amazing place to connect with nature and enjoy the serenity that…read morecomes along with it. There is plenty of parking. The boardwalk and whole area is well maintained and clean. We enjoyed the nature and wildlife. Everyone on the trails was friendly as well. Great experience.

The Jones Pier Conservation Area is a 16 acre parcel of land acquired by Indian River County in…read more2011. It is one of several culturally and naturally significant properties bought by the county with funds from the Indian River County Conservation Lands Program. Entrance to the preserve is located one-mile south of County Road 510 on the Historic Jungle Trail which is a State designated greenway and a byway of the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Highway. The Jungle Trail is not paved and is frequented by bike riders so you must travel very slowly on it. Seaborn Jones was among the earliest settlers to the area. In 1889 the Jones family homesteaded 160 acres on Orchid Island where they farmed beans, mango, coconut, pineapple and citrus and sold it at their roadside fruit stand where it was purchased by tourists. Jones Pier was built in 1907 and was tended by three generations of the Jones family. It was a lifeline for shipping citrus to the mainland and getting supplies to the island before bridges were built. The family resided on the property for more than 115 years until Richard Milton Jones' death in 2011. The Jones family home is still on the property and there are plans to turn it into a museum The conservation area is currently undergoing a renovation. The pier has already been restored. Volunteers from the Pelican Island Audubon Society, Florida Native Plant Society, and University of Tampa students have been installing native plants and making other improvements to the site. 1.700 native plants and 50 live oaks were planted on the property. Soon to open will be a one mile hiking trail. To improve the health of the Indian River lagoon, a four acre salt marsh was dug out. It will eventually be connected to the lagoon through a series of culverts. The salt marsh was created to have different depths so different plants can grow that will filter and clean the water. An enhanced gopher habitat and community garden will also be added to the preserve. This preserve is a work in progress. I love how the history of the land is being preserved while at the same time improving the environment. I think the jones family would be happy to see that their generations long community service is being honored in a preserve bearing their name. I can't wait to go back when the hiking trail opens.