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The Real Treasures of the Treasure Coast

By Judyth Piazza  

Sebastian Florida is gradually being discovered by vacationers as one of South Florida's best-kept secrets. It is located just 12 miles north of Vero Beach and 18 miles South of Melbourne.

Sebastian and its laid-back lifestyle is located amidst unspoiled subtropical vegetation and miles of rivers and beaches. Sebastian is becoming the Atlantic's newest vacationer's playground as a result of all of its water-oriented activities, fine foods, and fun for the whole family.

Lodging

One of Sebastian most well known resorts is the Oyster Pointe & Bay Resort, 150 U.S. 1, Sebastian, FL. While there, you will find that this is an exquisite vacation escape from the ordinary with an absence of crowded lobbies and check in delays.

They provide fully furnished apartments with a complete kitchen, dishes, linens and two bedrooms. Some of their amenities include cable TV, telephone and a private terrace. "We are a very family oriented place," said Kathy Justus, assistant manager. Other amenities include a playground, lighted tennis courts, heated swimming pools, and relaxing Jacuzzis.

The seafood is abundant here with oysters, clams, and fishing for the aspiring angler. "During your stay with us you can be the captain of your own boat whereas we provide each guest with a 15 foot runabout motor boat to make their sport fishing enjoyable and easier" said Justus.

Area Attractions

A short distance from the resort is the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and Museum. While there you will experience the essence of the Age of Discovery from the late fifteenth to the mid-eighteenth centuries covering early European explorers' exploits, their commerce, and the havoc they wreaked by both accident and design on the native inhabitants of the Americas all have their echoes in the artifacts in their collection.

Kids can explore the museum's four ships, the Nuestra Seņora de Atocha and the Santa Margarita, both of which sank in a hurricane in 1622; The St. John's Wreck, a vessel of exploration that carried conquistadors to the Caribbean in roughly 1560; and the Henrietta Marie, an English merchant slaver that sank off the Florida Keys in 1700.

After leaving the museum, you can make tracks in the sand across the street to the Bahamian Sandbar, and experience Capt. Hiram's "Islandsphere."

You can enjoy the river breezes and coconut palms while sipping on your favorite frozen drink or snack off their fabulous Sandbar menu, and you will be instantly transported to a tropical paradise.

The Sandbar at Capt. Hiram's Resort features two full service bars, the beautiful Sandbar, which is undercover, and the all-new Coral Bar, both of which overlook the Indian River. The Grand Sand Bandstand accommodates the Sandbar's extensive live entertainment line-up. You will be able to enjoy live entertainment daily. "Pete Harris, a Florida favorite appears regularly and is soon to be releasing his fourth CD," said Jan Taylor, Director of Entertainment.

While dining at Capt. Hirams, make sure you try their Maryland style crab cakes, said Kym Cool, 36 a regular at Capt. Hirams.
For the nature lover, at Absolute Watersports & Kayak in Sebastian offers scenic tours of the Indian River Lagoon and Sebastian River Buffer Preserve, which are ripe with countless species of marine and land based wildlife. While there, you can experience intimate viewing of manatee, dolphin, armadillo, golden eagle, osprey, blue heron and many more.

A great way to end your vacation is with an adrenaline rush adventure. It includes a 13,500 foot Skydive with magnificent views of the Inter-Coastal Waterway & surrounding beaches while you experience the thrill and freedom of free fall skydiving safely harnessed to your instructor.

The sports minded angler will find Sebastian everything they have ever dreamed about and a little more.

Source: The Student Operated Press