Chastain Beach is named in honor of Robert LeRoy "Sam" Chastain (1904-1964). Mr. Chastain purchased the beach property and donated it to Martin County for a public beach. Chastain Beach is located on the south end of Hutchinson Island between the House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar and Bathtub Beach. Parking is free but sparse so be prepared to wait a long time to park, especially on the weekend. What makes this park unique is it has both beach and river access so you are competing for parking spots with the beach goers and the canoe and kayak people. Lack of parking aside, Chastain Beach is a wonderful place to experience the unspoiled, natural beauty of a Martin County beach. Note that it is only lifeguarded during certain months of the year. There are bathrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills. Fishing is allowed and dogs on a leash are welcome. The beaches on this part of Hutchinson Island have rocky looking outcroppings known as the Anastasia formation which was named by E. H. Sellards in 1912. The formation was deposited during the late Pleistocene and the "rocks" are really sand and coquina limestone embedded with shells and sparry calcite. It forms cliffs and caves that form a habitat for sea life. It is not very comfortable on bare feet but it makes a lovely backdrop for pictures. Interesting fact, Chastain Beach is an ancient cemetery. In 2022 heavy beach erosion from Hurricane Nicole disturbed the bones of members of the ancient indigenous Asis tribe that used to inhabit Hutchinson Island. The burial ground is federally protected and passersby are prohibited from digging up other remains, pottery, or jewelry of the Ais tribe. read more