Stuart

The small city of Stuart packs a big punch in cruiser-friendly features, from waterfront restaurants to wide, protected waterways and luxury marinas. This page, boat owners enjoy first class service at the new Harborage Yacht Club and Marina.

By Nancy Smythe

Once a sleepy little fishing village, Stuart, Florida, is today one of the bright cruising destinations on Florida’s East Coast. A short day’s run north from Palm Beach or south from Vero Beach, Stuart is the eastern terminus for the Okeechobee Waterway as well as a jumping off spot for the northern Bahamas. Set at the confluence of the Indian River, St. Lucie River and the ICW, Stuart has an amazing amount of waterfront for a town of its size. Although the Southpoint Anchorage is temporarily closed while a new marina is built on the upland, there are a variety of docking options, including the 150-slip Harborage Yacht Club and Marina, with a handsome condo village and yacht club memberships.
Stuart’s rivers are wide enough to sail. In fact, the St. Lucie Sailing Club often races “inside” during winter’s windy weather. The waterfront offers visitors a mix of old and new, quaint and highbrow. You can easily fall in love with Stuart’s charming, historic, downtown. A casual stroll takes you past fountains, numerous restaurants and a delightful assortment of specialty shops and art galleries. Its one-way streets and riverfront boardwalk enhances the pedestrian-friendly character. The centerpiece Lyric Theatre hosts theater and orchestra performances as well as concerts.
The boardwalk, located along the St. Lucie River at the end of St. Lucie Avenue, is popular for special events and features floating docks for those who want to visit downtown by boat (daylight hours only). There is a Jazz Fest here on the first Sunday of every month and Rockin’ on the River on the third Sunday.
If you are in town for the Stuart Boat Show and Trawler Expo and looking for a fine meal nearby, try Basil Garden, a small Thai restaurant at the southern foot of Roosevelt Bridge at 201 S.W. Federal Highway. The panang curry with duck is a specialty. Courtine’s at 514 N. Dixie combines traditional elegance with a comfortable coziness.
Wahoo’s on the Waterfront at 400 NW Alice Ave (caterer to the Boat Show) features dockage and live entertainment daily, and starting a 4 p.m. on weekends. This seafood restaurant is also a lively happy hour spot.
Great downtown dining can be found at the Osceola Street Café, featuring tapas appetizers, interesting entrees and music on weekends. Its terrace is dog-friendly. Also on Osceola street is the Black Marlin. With its exposed brick walls and cozy wooden booths, it’s a locals favorite. For Italian, try Gusto Italian Restaurant at 301 Colorado Avenue. The Pelican Café on S.W. Flager offers casual waterfront dining under the Roosevelt Bridge and is also dog friendly.
Port Salerno, a little village south of Stuart, surrounds the Manatee Pocket. Devoted to fishing and farming, seven wholesale saltwater fish houses once prospered here. Now this historic destination offers waterfront restaurants, shops, galleries, commercial and charter fishing, diving, and sightseeing boats. Port Salerno is a short trip from the “crossroads” of the Intracoastal and the St. Lucie Inlet. Along the way you will pass beautiful Sandsprit Park, marinas with fuel, gated communities, and picturesque estuaries. Boats drawing over four feet have to time their transits around high tides. (Dredging will begin in the pocket next summer.) This is also the location of Hinckley’s service facility and Pirates Cove Resort and Marina. The waterfront Fish House Art Center and Gallery showcases 10 resident artists’ studios and a two-story gallery of American Fine Art and Crafts.

As a local, I recommend Bare Bones Grill & Brewery at 4817 SE Dixie Hwy for its deep-water dockage and excellent crab cakes, and Finz Waterfront Grille for Sunday Brunch and a great view. Also on Salerno Road is The Stern House, serving up Cape Cod cooking with Maine lobster, steamers and scallops wrapped in bacon, and live jazz Thursday through Saturday.
Of course, Stuart is also known for its beach, located across a long causeway on the adjacent barrier island. A 250-foot boardwalk overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and a golden sand beach. Volleyball and basketball courts are on-site, as well as a playground. One of the best beaches in the area is Bathtub Reef Beach, with a reef located just offshore for snorkeling and 1,300 feet of undeveloped beachfront tucked back behind the trees.
To see the beach in a different light, visit The House of Refuge Museum, the oldest structure on the Treasure Coast (circa 1876). It is the only remaining shelter for shipwreck survivors. It’s open for tours daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 301 SE MacArthur Blvd., South of Marriott Resort & Indian River Plantation on Hutchinson Island.
Whether you visit cruiser-friendly Stuart to boat, beach or dine, this once sleepy little town will keep you awake with plenty to do.

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