Captain John is amazing and you'll have the best time out on his airboat tour! He assured us that…read morewe would see a lot of alligators and we certainly did.... More than 40!!! You will not get wet at all. No one will get seasick. It's definitely fun to do with a group! Fun facts and fun photos. Definitely go.

My wife and I had an amazing adventure and experience! Captain John was a wonderful host. He was…read moreextremely knowledgeable about all of the flora and fauna found in the Blue Cyprus Conservation Area. The booking process for the tour was super easy thru their website. It's definitely a must-see when visiting the Treasure Coast. Thank you, Captain John and Marsh Beast Airboat tours.

If you're looking for a place in Vero Beach that humbles the soul and lifts the heart, Veteran's…read moreMemorial Island Sanctuary is it. This isn't just a park--it's sacred ground dressed in serenity and sunshine. As I walked under a bright sky and the slow rustle of trees, I was greeted by engraved stone pillars marked with words like Honor, Devotion, Sacrifice. You don't just read them--you feel them. Every step here carries meaning. The American flag stands tall at the end of a peaceful, tree-lined brick path, swaying like it's saluting every visitor who comes to remember. Sculptures and monuments dot the landscape, each one dedicated to those who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. The "Lest We Forget" stone from 1963 hit especially hard--simple, bold, and eternal. But what struck me the most was how beautiful it all is. The landscaping is pristine, the layout intentional, and the silence... powerful. You hear birds, maybe your own footsteps, and nothing else. It's as if the whole place whispers: "They mattered. Don't forget." This is more than a park. It's a living tribute--one that doesn't ask for applause, just presence. I came to reflect, to walk, to breathe--and left with gratitude in my chest. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this island sanctuary deserves your time, your silence, and your thanks.

veterans park is a memorable visit. free of charge:-) always reminds me, one if the reasons why i'm…read moreso grateful & blessed to be in nation!! views of the beautiful waterways greet you on the roads to get here. from walking paths, picnic covered pavilions most with bbq to grill your anytime of year favorites. parking is free. -*** bring your fur baby on a leash of course:-) and please dont forget the infamous poopie bags. pick up & make a deposit in the multiple g cans throughout the park. so many areas to visit inside the park. heart warming memorials practically everywhere you walk. paying tribute and respect to all those who have selflessly sacrificed for the freedom we live. i thank everyday all the men and women tgat give me the peace of mind and spirit for no worries. when i lay my head to sleep the sound of an attack of our land. on a a happier note:-)) may you & your family & friends enjoy this thanksgiving holiday. christmas, chanukah or any holiday we are ***free to celebrate.

We came here while visiting the area and really enjoyed the learning center!…read more We only stayed for a few hours but there was definitely a lot more to see and do here. We got to see a lot of fish and native Florida wildlife! There were a lot of walking trails, kayak/canoe launches, and tons of information posted around about native Florida habitats! There was also a play area for kids as well. We spent a lot of the time in the aquarium room (and yes it's a room not a super huge space) since it was air conditioned and our daughter really enjoys seeing the fish. They have a touch tank that's open for a few hours throughout the day, but we noticed that if the tank isn't open, there was no staff in the space. The facilities seemed a bit older but overall well maintained. There were summer camps going on while we were there, and felt like they sort of overtook some of the spaces we were in from time to time. Not a super huge deal as we were able to go explore other parts but it did feel somewhat chaotic as a large group of 8 year olds ran into the area. You do have to pay admission, there is a pass available as well if you plan to visit more than once. Parking was not plentiful so be mindful when planing, to come early or during a more "off" time. Overall this was a neat place to go to if you enjoy learning about Florida wildlife and nature.

Stopped into the Environmental Learning Center on a whim after driving past it many times, and now…read moreI'm wondering why I waited so long. This place is one of those hidden little Treasure Coast gems that almost hides in plain sight. The boardwalk trails through the mangroves were peaceful, scenic, and surprisingly immersive. Every turn felt like a mini nature documentary. Within a short walk I spotted a ribbon snake cruising through the water, an orb-weaver spider that looked like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie, and plenty of birds and wildlife along the way. Bring a camera because you'll use it. Bonus points for the rare opportunity to admire a spider web without immediately walking face first into it. The grounds are well maintained, educational without feeling overly touristy, and just plain relaxing. There's a nice balance between nature preserve, learning experience, and quiet escape from the everyday rush. Also appreciated that you can spend 30 minutes here or easily lose a couple of hours wandering the trails and slowing your brain down a notch. We didn't try the kayak rental this time but made a mental note for the future. If you live in or visit Vero Beach and enjoy nature, photography, kayaking, wildlife, or just finding peaceful spots that don't involve crowds and traffic, this place is absolutely worth a stop.

Took a long walk with my wife along the trail with beautiful views of the Indian River with small…read morewildlife and ducks wandering around. Today was super breezy so only went partially down the wooden dock leading into the river. Took some time in the Veterans Memorial across from the park. I love that Sebastian is so patriotic with American flags everywhere.

Walked around the Riverview Park with my hubby and parking was free. Most kids were at the…read moreplayground and the River was very rough today and my hair was blowing everywhere which made some funny pictures. Spent some time at the Veterans Memorial reading all of the dedication stones.

We visited this park today to take part in the get up and go kayaking, we had a great tour guide…read moreTod, who was very friendly and a wealth of knowledge about different mangroves as well as many other very interesting facts about Florida wildlife, plant life and the inlet systems. There is a lot to see, and it's a great time to explore and bond with your group, get up and go is a franchise so check and see if they are in your area! Great way to get outdoors and explore! Hope to do this again one day!

Loved this beautiful park with the beach and water views. Have an annual state park pass so took…read moreadvantage of visiting the Fort Pierce State Park. Well worth it.

Osprey Acres Stormwater Park and Nature Preserve is an 83.7 acre park created in 2019 at a cost of…read more$7.4 million dollars. It serves the primary function of removing nitrogen and phosphorous from Osprey Marsh next door and from area canals. Since 2015 Osprey March has been removing dissolved nutrients from canal water and from the South County Water Treatment Plant's reverse osmosis brine discharge. Osprey Acres was going to be a 400 home development but was saved from development when Indian River County purchased the land to create a stormwater treatment facility to clean the water before it enters the Indian River Lagoon. While the main purpose of the park is to clean the reclaimed water, a welcome byproduct is that it attracts a lot of wildlife. Wetland parks are some of my favorite kind of parks because they attract a variety of wildlife including wading birds, migrating birds, lizards, turtles, and alligators. Osprey Acres preserved over 60 acres of native upland habitat and created 17 acres of aquatic habitat for fish and waterfowl. Some of the animals you might see here are gopher tortoises, osprey, southern black racer, alligator, river otter, coral snake, marsh rabbit, bobcat, water moccasin, great horned owl, racoon, and eastern indigo snake. Natural earth walking trails traverse through Florida ecosystems that include uphill pine, mesic oak hammock, a small scrub area, and manmade wetlands. There are five hiking trails totaling about 3.8 miles: a 1.8 mile main trail, two .6 mile trails called Marsh Rabbit Run and Bobcat Run, and two .4 mile trails called Woodpecker Way and Gopher Tortoise Trail. Osprey Acres brings together much needed stormwater treatment with recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities making them accessible to the community. Osprey Acres is open every day except Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Note that there are no restrooms and dogs are not allowed.