Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
Fort Pierce, FL
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park sits where the Atlantic meets the inlet on North Hutchinson Island, with offshore shoals kicking up some of the most consistent surf in St. Lucie County. Swimmers, surfers, and windsurfers share the same beach here, and a separate stretch called Dynamite Point adds a quieter, more remote option a short walk away.
Consistent surf and the quieter Dynamite Point option give it more range than a typical Treasure Coast beach, though the strong surf conditions that draw surfers can make swimming rougher than some visitors expect.
How we score beachesSurfers should aim for September through March and fish an incoming tide near the jetty, that's when the wave shape holds up best over the sandy bottom. Dynamite Point is the spot to walk to if the main beach feels crowded, it sees a fraction of the traffic.
The entrance fee is 6 dollars per vehicle for up to eight people, 4 dollars for a single occupant, 2 dollars for pedestrians or cyclists. Arrive early on weekends and holidays, the lot fills.
Paved paths lead from the main lot to the beach, mostly flat. The walk out to Dynamite Point is longer and over natural sand, a bigger undertaking than the main beach access.
Leashed dogs are welcome in the main parking areas and on the Coastal Hammock Trail, but pets aren't allowed on any sand beach area, including Dynamite Point.
Fall and winter bring the most consistent surf along with cooler, more comfortable beach days. Summer's warmer water and hurricane season, June through November, still draw swimmers even as the surf gets less reliable.
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