This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network – Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions.
Round Island Riverside Park is one of the best places to see manatees, beyond Florida’s many natural springs.
The 83-acre Indian River County park is just north of the St. Lucie County line, between Vero Beach and Fort Pierce. It’s not to be confused with the 11-acre Round Island Oceanside Park across the street.
It’s a great spot for getting up close and personal with manatees — the state advises no closer than 50 feet — as well as boating, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing on the Indian River Lagoon and hiking along the water’s edge.
But the highlight doesn’t even require a vessel to observe the gentle giants. A 400-foot-long boardwalk over the lagoon connects the barrier island to the tiny Round Island.
What makes Round Island special?
Manatees often can be seen in coves around Round Island, protected from the rest of the Indian River Lagoon.
They seem playful and curious, diving underwater and popping up next to vessels to investigate for a moment before swimming off again.
But their presence can be hit or miss — here one day and gone the next, sometimes depending on the weather and the seasons.
Remember not to mess with manatees. They can explore wherever they want, but people are prohibited from approaching, chasing, touching, feeding and harassing manatees.
Manatees are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. Anyone convicted on the federal level is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or one year in prison.
Manatees also are protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states “it is unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass or disturb any manatee.” Anyone convicted of violating the state law faces a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment for up to 60 days.
The state can pursue prosecution under federal law in circumstances of extreme harassment, resulting in the death or injury of a manatee.
When to go and how to get there
Round Island Riverside Park has two boat ramps and a separate launch for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
After launching your vessel, paddle around the small island of mangroves and Australian pine trees, paddling with the current. If it’s low tide, paddles can scrape the river bottom.
It can take as little as 15 minutes to circle around the island while paddling nonstop. The only rough part would be fighting any current around the bend.
In addition to manatees, you can see pelicans napping in the trees, herons hiding in the mangroves and fish jumping out of the water.
If it’s too windy on the water, you still can hike Round Island, making it a place that can be enjoyed year-round.
A wooden foot bridge leads you over the lagoon to the island. It’s a great vantage point to see the manatees when they’re around.
The trail across the island is short. Branches lean over the path to form a tunnel in some spots, and sunlight filters through the canopy.
At the end of the trail, there’s a fork. To the right, a boardwalk to a small fishing pier. To the left, an observation tower. Climb to the top and look out across the water at the maze of mangrove islands.
Round Island also is a great spot to fish for redfish in the mangrove shoreline, as well as spotted seatrout and occasionally snook, tarpon and jack crevalle.
In addition to boat ramps, it has a paved parking lot with 30 spaces and 12 boat trailer parking spaces. It also has restrooms, a water fountain, a small playground and a pavilion with two picnic tables and a grill.
Before or after visiting the riverside park, you can jump in the Atlantic Ocean across State Road A1A at the Round Island Oceanside Park. Both parks are open daily from 7 a.m. until sunset.
Where: 2200 S.R. A1A, south of Vero Beach
More info: 772-492-2412 or ircgov.com
Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hidden Gem: Kayak, paddleboard, hike alongside Florida manatees in Indian River Lagoon
Reporting by Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
