Sebastian is the kind of Treasure Coast town that hides its best stuff. The tourists drive through on US-1 and miss it. The locals know about the manatee viewing at Round Island, the wood-fired pizza at Marsh Landing, and the sunset over the Indian River from the boardwalk behind Capt. Hiram's. Here are the spots that have made us love working in this town.
Quick takeaways
- Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is the original — the first federal wildlife refuge in the US, established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1903.
- Sebastian Inlet has some of the best surf on the East Coast.
- Capt. Hiram's Resort is the social anchor — sunset music nightly on the river.
- Sunday morning at the Riverview Park farmers market is the local move.
- Skip the chain restaurants on US-1; the good food is on Indian River Drive.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
This is not just a refuge — it is THE refuge. Established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 to protect brown pelicans from plume hunters, it was the first federal wildlife refuge in the United States. The 1.8-mile Centennial Trail boardwalk gives you the best view across the lagoon. Best at sunrise or two hours before sunset, when bird activity peaks. Free, open dawn to dusk.
Sebastian Inlet State Park
About 15 minutes south on A1A, Sebastian Inlet is famous in surf circles — the 'First Peak' lineup is one of the most consistent East Coast breaks. Non-surfers come for the jetty fishing (snook, redfish, snapper), the McLarty Treasure Museum (real gold and silver from the 1715 Spanish fleet wreck), and Spessard Holland-style beach access without the crowds. $8 per vehicle, worth every dollar.
Riverview Park and the Sunday farmers market
On the banks of the Indian River, Riverview Park is the town's living room. The farmers market runs Saturday mornings 8 AM to 12 PM — local citrus, fresh-catch seafood, baked goods, plants. The huge banyan trees give shade on hot days. Free music in the gazebo most weekends in winter.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
Capt. Hiram's Resort
The social heart of Sebastian. Sunset on the dock with live music, tiki-bar vibes, sand between your toes. Order the fish dip (truly excellent), grab a Painkiller, watch the sun drop over the Indian River Lagoon. Boat slips in front let yachters drop in for dinner. Weekend nights are packed; Tuesday at 6 PM is the local sweet spot.
Marsh Landing Restaurant (Fellsmere, 10 minutes away)
Worth the drive. Old Florida cracker-style restaurant in Fellsmere, gator tail and frog legs done right, walls covered in Florida history. The wood-fired pizza and gator-tail appetizer combo is the move. Closed Sundays.
Round Island Park (manatee season)
December through March, Round Island Riverside Park is one of the best manatee-viewing spots on the entire Treasure Coast. The warm-water outflow draws them in numbers. Boardwalks let you watch without disturbing them. Free, locals' tip.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum
If Spanish galleons interest you at all, this is the place. The 1715 fleet wrecked off the Sebastian coast carrying gold, silver, and emeralds — Mel Fisher and his team recovered millions in artifacts. The museum on US-1 displays the real recoveries. Small, easily a one-hour visit, $8 admission.
Hidden food spots
- Squidly's Books and Lemonade
- bookshop with the best lemonade in town.
- Pareidolia Brewing Company
- small downtown brewery, food trucks weekends.
- Riverside Cafe
- breakfast on the river, locals' favorite.
- Crab E. Bills Restaurant
- no-frills seafood, blue crab in season.
- Hurricane Harbor
- historic bar on the river, a Sebastian institution.
Outdoor adventures
- Kayak the Sebastian River
- rentals at Sebastian River Kayaking; backwater, mangroves, dolphins regular.
- Bike the lagoon greenway
- paved path runs north toward Wabasso.
- Indian River Lagoon fishing charter
- local guides know where the snook hide.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
Where to stay clean while you visit
If you are a snowbird, vacation rental owner, or moving to the area, professional house cleaning in Sebastian makes the Florida lifestyle actually relaxing. The humidity here is no joke and a recurring crew handles the salt-air, sand, and lovebug-season grime so you can spend your weekends at the inlet, not at home with a mop.
Ready when you are.
Captain Duster cleans homes across the Treasure Coast and Space Coast. Get a guaranteed quote in about a minute — no in-person visit required.
About the author
The Captain Duster crew
We’re a Florida-based residential cleaning company serving the Treasure Coast and Space Coast. We write these guides from the field — what we see in real homes every day. More about us →