Martin County Boat Ramps: Open Or Closed?

Martin County, Florida, has a plethora of boat ramps catering to different needs and preferences. The county recently reopened one boat ramp in Sandsprit Park, with the other closed for a $2.4 million construction project. This project aims to replace the east and west ramps, which are used by boaters to launch into the Intercoastal Waterway and out to the ocean. Aside from Sandsprit Park, there are several other boat ramps in the county, including Jensen Beach Causeway, Jonathan Dickinson State Park Boat Ramp, and Leighton Park Boat Ramp. These ramps offer various amenities, such as launching lanes, courtesy docks, and parking spaces. Before visiting a boat ramp, it is advisable to check with local authorities about its status, as temporary closures may occur due to special events, weather conditions, or repairs.

Boat ramps in Martin County, Florida

Broward Street Boat Ramp

4973 Southeast Dixie Hwy (A1A) Stuart, FL 34997.

This boat ramp offers a single launching lane, courtesy docks, and 6 boat trailer parking spaces. It provides access to the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.

Hosford Park Boat Ramp

Southwest Gaines Avenue & Southeast Paulson Avenue Stuart, FL 34997.

This boat ramp, located along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, offers a single lane ramp for small boats, launching of kayaks and canoes, shoreline fishing, a small picnic pavilion, picnic tables, and parking for 8-10 vehicles with trailers.

Jensen Beach Park Boat Ramp

2065 Northeast Indian River Drive Jensen Beach, FL 34957.

This boat ramp, located at Indian Riverside Park, offers 2 launching lanes into the Indian River, courtesy docks, 62 parking spots, and restrooms.

Jensen Beach Causeway Boat Ramp

889 Northeast Causeway Boulevard Jensen Beach, FL 34957.

This boat ramp offers 2 launching lanes, courtesy docks, picnic sites, and restrooms. It provides easy access to the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean for great boating and fishing.

Jimmy Graham Park Boat Ramp

8555 Southeast Gomez Avenue Hobe Sound, FL 33455.

This boat ramp offers 2 launching lanes, courtesy docks, 41 boat trailer parking spaces, and restrooms. The park is located along the Intracoastal Waterway, midway between Hobe Sound and the St. Lucie Inlet.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park Boat Ramp

16450 Southeast Federal Highway Hobe Sound, FL 33455.

This boat ramp is located along the Loxahatchee River, which leads to the Indian River and Jupiter Inlet. The facility offers 2 launching lanes, a courtesy dock, 8 paved boat trailer spaces directly at the ramp, a small picnic pavilion, and a portable toilet.

Leighton Park Boat Ramp

1707 SW Cornell Avenue Palm City, FL 34990.

This boat ramp is located along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and offers 3 launching lanes, courtesy docks, 20 boat trailer parking spaces, picnic tables, and restrooms.

Pendarvis Cove Boat Ramp

1000 Southwest Chapman Way Palm City, FL 34990.

This boat ramp is located along the South Fork St. Lucie River and offers a single-lane ramp, courtesy dock, hand launching, playground, picnic sites, and restrooms. Parking for vehicles with trailers is not designated.

Phipps Park Boat Ramp

2175 Southwest Locks Road Stuart, FL 34997.

Phipps Park is located near Port Salerno, Palm City, and Stuart along the St. Lucie Canal. It offers a boat ramp, hand launching, pavilion, playground, and restrooms, but no courtesy docks.

Ramp at Locks near Phipps Park

Southwest Canal Street & Southwest Locks Road Stuart, FL 34997.

This facility offers a single-lane ramp, courtesy docks, playground, picnic pavilions, and restrooms. This ramp provides access to the canal leading to Lake Okeechobee or the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.

Sandsprit Park Boat Ramp

3443 Southeast St. Lucie Boulevard Stuart, FL 34997.

This boat ramp offers 5 launching lanes in two separate areas, courtesy docks, pavilions, a playground, restrooms, and approximately 110 boat trailer parking spaces. It is located at the mouth of the Manatee Pocket, providing easy access to the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.

Shepard Park Boat Ramp

600 SW Ocean Boulevard‎ Stuart, FL 34997.

This boat ramp is open 24 hours and is located at the northern end of the South Fork St. Lucie River. It offers 2 launching lanes, courtesy docks, 12 boat trailer parking spaces, picnic tables, a playground, and restrooms.

Stuart Causeway Boat Ramp

6500 Southeast Ocean Boulevard Stuart, FL 34997.

The Stuart Causeway boat ramp offers 3 launching lanes, non-floating courtesy docks, 30 boat trailer parking spaces (many under the shade of the bridge), waterside pavilions, BBQ grills, and restrooms.

Public boat ramps in Martin County

There are several public boat ramps in Martin County, Florida. Here is a list of some of them:

Sandsprit Park Boat Ramp

This boat ramp, located at 3443 Southeast St. Lucie Boulevard in Stuart, offers 5 launching lanes, courtesy docks, pavilions, a playground, restrooms, and about 110 boat trailer parking spaces. It provides easy access to the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. The county recently completed a $2.4 million project to replace the east and west ramps, which were at the end of their useful life after 30 years of use. The new ramps are built to accommodate rising sea levels due to climate change.

Indian Riverside Park Boat Ramp

Located at 2065 Northeast Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach, this boat ramp is sometimes referred to as the "sailing center ramp" due to its proximity to the sailing center. It offers 4 to 5 lanes and fairly deep parking spots. It provides access to the river and the inlet, although it is a slightly longer ride than Sandsprit Park.

Stuart Causeway Park Boat Ramp

Stuart Causeway Park is situated at 15 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, and offers a shorter ramp with a steep angle, making it more suitable for smaller boats and jet skis. It has limited parking and some spots under the bridge.

C-24 Canal Park Boat Ramp

This boat ramp is located on the C-24 Canal in Port St. Lucie. It is a good option for a nice boat ride down the river, but it is a bit farther from the inlet. It offers 4 lanes, ample parking, and 3 docks. There is a fixed bridge at Oakley Street, so boats with high vertical clearance should check the clearance beforehand.

Jensen Beach Boat Ramp

The Jensen Beach Boat Ramp, located on the Jensen Beach Causeway, has ramps on both the north and south sides of the bridge. It is a good option for launching smaller boats for fishing or cruising the river. Parking at this location is limited.

Other notable public boat ramps in Martin County include the Broward Street Boat Ramp, Hosford Park Boat Ramp, Jimmy Graham Park Boat Ramp, Jonathan Dickinson State Park Boat Ramp, Leighton Park Boat Ramp, Pendarvis Cove Boat Ramp, and Shepard Park Boat Ramp. These ramps offer various amenities such as launching lanes, courtesy docks, parking spaces, and access to different waterways.

Top public boat ramps in Martin County

Martin County in Florida has a plethora of public boat ramps, catering to both small and large boats. Here is a list of the top public boat ramps in Martin County:

Sandsprit Park Boat Ramp

Located at 3443 SE St. Lucie Blvd, Stuart, FL 34997, Sandsprit Park is the busiest boat ramp in the county. It offers 5 launching lanes, courtesy docks, pavilions, a playground, restrooms, and approximately 110 boat trailer parking spaces. This park is ideal for those seeking easy access to the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.

Indian Riverside Park Boat Ramp

Referred to as the "sailing center ramp" by locals, this boat ramp is situated at 2065 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach, FL 34957. It features 4 to 5 lanes and fairly deep parking spots. The floating docks provide great access to the river or the inlet, although it may be a slightly longer ride compared to Sandsprit Park.

Stuart Causeway Park Boat Ramp

This boat ramp, located at 15 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996, is ideal for smaller boats and jet skis due to its short and steep ramp. It offers a few small to medium-sized parking spots under the bridge.

Jensen Beach Causeway Boat Ramp

The Jensen Beach Causeway boat ramp, situated along the causeway, provides a ramp on both the north and south sides of the bridge. While the ramps are nice, parking is limited. This ramp is perfect for launching smaller boats for fishing or cruising the river. It is located at 2004 NE Causeway Blvd, Jensen Beach, FL 34957.

Broward Street Boat Ramp

This boat ramp, found at 4973 Southeast Dixie Hwy (A1A), Stuart, FL 34997, offers a single launching lane, courtesy docks, and 6 boat trailer parking spaces. It provides access to the Indian River or the Atlantic Ocean, where various fish species can be found.

Martin County's commitment to boating is evident through its $2.4 million boat-ramp replacement project, ensuring that boaters have access to high-quality and well-maintained facilities.

Boat ramp replacement project at Sandsprit Park

The Sandsprit Park boat ramp in Martin County, Florida, is a popular access point for boaters looking to launch into the Intercoastal Waterway and head out to the ocean. The park offers a range of amenities, including multiple launching lanes, courtesy docks, pavilions, a playground, restrooms, and ample parking for boat trailers.

However, the previous boat ramps at Sandsprit Park had reached the end of their useful lives, with the wooden docks disintegrating after 30 years of use. In response, Martin County embarked on a $2.4 million boat-ramp replacement project to upgrade the east and west ramps. The project aims to accommodate rising sea levels due to climate change and is expected to extend the lifespan of the ramps to 30-40 years.

The east ramp, which features three docks, reopened on September 22, 2023, and construction on the west ramp is slated for completion in January. The new ramps will cater to boaters with small to very large boats, and even some commercial vessels.

The boat-ramp replacement project at Sandsprit Park is part of a larger countywide effort to upgrade boat ramps across Martin County. The county is investing significant resources to improve boating infrastructure, with the Florida Inland Navigation District providing additional funding for the project.

Boaters are advised to check the status of boat ramps before visiting, as they may be temporarily closed due to special events, weather conditions, or necessary repairs. While most boat ramps in Florida are open 24 hours a day, closures are not always reported in real time on official websites. It is recommended to contact local authorities or refer to boating access websites for the most up-to-date information.

Boat ramp access and status

As of January 2025, there are several boat ramps open in Martin County, including:

• Broward Street Boat Ramp: This ramp offers a single launching lane, courtesy docks, and 6 boat trailer parking spaces. It provides access to the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.
• Hosford Park Boat Ramp: Located along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, this ramp offers a single lane for small boats, kayak and canoe launching, shoreline fishing, a small picnic pavilion, and parking for 8-10 vehicles with trailers.
• Jensen Beach Park Boat Ramp: This ramp, located in Indian Riverside Park, offers 2 launching lanes, courtesy docks, 62 parking spots, and restrooms.
• Jensen Beach Causeway Boat Ramp: With 2 launching lanes, courtesy docks, picnic sites, and restrooms, this ramp provides easy access to the Indian River for boating and fishing.
• Jimmy Graham Park Boat Ramp: Offering 2 launching lanes, courtesy docks, 41 boat trailer parking spaces, and restrooms, this ramp is situated along the Intracoastal Waterway between Hobe Sound and the St. Lucie Inlet.
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park Boat Ramp: Along the Loxahatchee River, this facility features 2 launching lanes, a courtesy dock, 8 paved boat trailer spaces, a small picnic pavilion, and a portable toilet.
• Leighton Park Boat Ramp: Located along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, this ramp has 3 launching lanes, courtesy docks, 20 boat trailer parking spaces, picnic tables, and restrooms.
• Pendarvis Cove Boat Ramp: This single-lane ramp is also along the South Fork St. Lucie River and features a courtesy dock, hand launching, a playground, picnic sites, and restrooms.
• Phipps Park Boat Ramp: Phipps Park offers a boat ramp, hand launching, a pavilion, a playground, and restrooms, but no courtesy docks.
• Sandsprit Park Boat Ramp: This popular boat ramp has 5 launching lanes in two separate areas, courtesy docks, pavilions, a playground, restrooms, and approximately 110 boat trailer parking spaces. It provides easy access to the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.

It is important to note that some boat ramps in Martin County may be temporarily closed for construction or renovations, so it is always a good idea to check their status before planning a trip.

Frequently asked questions