Day trip: Fort Pierce, Florida

Spanish shipwrecks from 1715 gave the area its name: Treasure Coast

Summer Day Trippin' Column:
Fort Pierce

The phrase water, water everywhere came to mind on a recent visit to Fort Pierce. If it wasn’t the sight of the ocean or the inlet, then it was the Indian River, the St. Lucie River, a lake or wetlands. Even away from the water, I saw advertisements and brochures for water-related fun and research.

For example, there is the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit ($2) at the county building facing the inlet. Here, you can see aquariums that are replicas of nearby marine environments -- including sea creatures like horseshoe crabs and starfish -- and get hands-on in a touch tank. Smithsonian research facilities are across the street -- closed to the public, but a reminder of the area’s attractiveness to the study of the sea.

At Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, more scientists study the area’s waters. Visitors arrive at a nature gift shop to take a bus tour ($12) of the facilities or a boat tour ($17) of the Indian River.

Other boat tours and guide services, particularly fishing guides, abound. Dive shops provide scuba enthusiasts equipment or trips to offshore Independence Reef or Spanish shipwrecks from 1715 that gave the area its name: Treasure Coast.

If you want to stay dry, you can still enjoy the view of the ocean from the beach. Or stop at the Fort Pierce City Marina for the chance to see manatees at the Manatee Center (772-466-1600), where you’ll find a gift shop, optional exhibit ($1) and a pedestrian bridge from which to watch for sea cows attracted to a nearby power plant’s warm-water discharge. The UDT/SEAL Museum (772-595-5845) is another sea-oriented place on land, planted near the site where special-forces Navy “frogmen” once trained. Military vehicles, equipment and memorabilia are on display.

Almost right across the street from the museum is little-known Jack Island State Preserve, one place to explore if you want to get to know the area’s nature. Situated mainly in a mangrove tree thicket, a trail creates a loop through the trees and leads to an observation deck. You can hike or bike the trail.

For another side of Fort Pierce’s environment, visit Indrio Savannahs Natural Area, a quiet county park with a lake and hiking trails. The trails lead partway around the man-made lake and past marshes. (Note there is no swimming allowed, and fishing is just catch-and-release.)

But for a more in-depth nature exploration, head a little to the south to Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie. On a map, it looks like a long, skinny park. But on the ground or in the wetlands, it looks like heaven. Hike all or part of the main 5-mile trail through scrub and pine flatwoods, or bring your own canoe or kayak to the launch area. Visitors can arrange a private guided tour on boat or foot by calling ahead. Be sure to stop at the brand-new visitor center with museum-quality interactive displays, including one about the area’s pineapple-farming days. And be careful where you step -- I nearly had run-ins with the venomous pygmy rattlesnake and coral snake!