The ocean- and riverfront town is brimming with Old Florida enchantment on and off the water.

Enjoy Beaches And Water Sports, Explore Nature Preserves And Parks, Immerse Yourself In Local Arts And Culture, Where To Eat

Though Jensen Beach earned the nickname “Pineapple Capital of the World” thanks to its thriving pineapple farms in the late 1800s, today it's best known as a relaxed waterfront town with beaches, fishing, pastel cottages, fresh seafood, and a quaint downtown.

There are also five-star restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops, family-friendly attractions, and more—all at a small-town pace, making Jensen Beach a gem worth visiting along Florida’s Treasure Coast between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach.

Ahead, find the best things to see, do, and eat on a visit to Jensen Beach.

Enjoy Beaches And Water Sports

Relax At Jensen Sea Turtle Beach

Jensen Beach's plentiful coastline, thanks to it's location along the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, make it a top destination for fishing, boating, sailing, paddling, scuba diving, and more.

But you can’t visit Jensen Beach without visiting, well, Jensen Beach! While the public access beach is officially called Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, locals refer to it simply as Jensen Beach. This wide sandy Atlantic Ocean beach has picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, bathrooms, and showers to make your beach day comfortable.

Try A New Water Sport

Jensen Beach is also a water sports capital. “We have a large community of paddleboarders, kiteboarders, wing foilers, and surfers here,” says Kelly Adams, owner of Bunk House Coffee Bar in Jensen Beach. “The Stuart causeway bridge has some of the best conditions in the state for wing foiling, and people come from all over the world to wing foil there.” Whether you’re spectating or joining in on the fun, “there’s a water sport for everyone,” according to Adams.

Looking for a way to learn to surf or send your kids off on an adventure during your visit? Cowabunga Company offers surf lessons, private coaching, and surf camps for ages 5 to 14.

Visit Beloved Area Beaches

Other local beaches to add to your must-visit list include Santa Lucea, for its beautiful blue water and lack of crowds, and for sun worshippers with four-legged friends in tow, the 24-acre off-leash Walton Rocks Dog Park.

Explore Nature Preserves And Parks

Savannas Preserve

Adams loves Savannas Preserve, Two of her top picks are Hawks Bluff and Savannas Preserve. “Both are great for escaping into nature and even better for bird watching,” Adams says. “Eagles, sandhill cranes, and even the scrub jay are found in both of these places.”

Indian Riverside Park

Another local must-visit is Indian Riverside Park, which Adams calls her favorite. “The walking paths wind along the Intracoastal and include a boardwalk through the mangroves with lots of wildlife to see. I love walking the boardwalk and seeing all the turtles.” The 63-acre park borders the Indian River Lagoon and has a beach, interactive play fountain, 780-foot fishing pier, landscaped gardens, open grass fields, and more.

Indian River Lagoon

The waterways of Jensen Beach are also popular for fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing, especially the Indian River Lagoon at Jensen Beach Causeway, where there’s a bike path, access to boat ramps, picnic sites, restrooms, and a playground.

Immerse Yourself In Local Arts And Culture

Tour The Mansion at Tuckahoe

While The Mansion at Tuckahoe is primarily known as a wedding and event venue, visitors can also take a free tour every first and third Wednesday of the month. This historic site on the Indian River was once the home of Coca-Cola heiress Anne Bates Leach. Reservations are not required.

Visit The Children’s Museum Of The Treasure Coast

Families with children should work the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast into their Jensen Beach itinerary. The museum’s mission is to foster curiosity, self-confidence, and a love of learning in children through enriching, hands-on exhibits and programs. Highlights include a town market, traditional Florida-style house, wellness center, 16th-century Spanish Galleon replica ship, beach-themed baby play area, and more.

Savor The Small-Town Charm And Creative Spirit

“A huge draw of Jensen Beach is the fact that it feels like Old Florida,” says Adams. “It’s got an ‘Old Key West’ kind of feeling. Some of that is because of the places and some because of the people. Jensen Beach is the kind of town where people stop and wave hello to you when you cross the street, and come over to help when they see you dropped something.”

Make sure to check out the Art Colony on Maple Street (also known as the Art Cottages), which is home to several working artists including painters Karen Leffel-Massengill, Sally Eckman Roberts, and Betty Neubauer.

Jam Out Downtown

Every Thursday evening (except Thanksgiving), downtown Jensen Beach comes alive for Jammin’ Jensen, a weekly mini festival featuring live music, local artists, street vendors, and more. It’s the perfect time to visit downtown and enjoy the lively Jensen Beach community.

Fuel Up At Cute Coffee Shops

Bunk House Coffee Bar: Open for breakfast and lunch, Bunk House Coffee Bar is a plant-based café serving healthy food, gluten-free treats, and specialty coffee in a charming yellow cottage next to a set of railroad tracks. “Bunk House is a safe space where all are welcome and all are loved,” says Adams—and that includes furry friends. “We have indoor and outdoor seating, so bring your pup!”

Lazy Dog Donuts: Another dog-friendly spot to bring your four-legged bestie is Lazy Dog Donuts, a casual café with donuts, pastries, coffee, and lawn games. The interior is equipped with cozy chairs, coffeehouse music, and workspace tables, and the outside has a lovely courtyard, so it’s the perfect place to stay a while.

Morning Magnolia: A pink and white Airstream known as Morning Magnolia—open only for coffee, breakfast, and small bites—is another local coffee favorite. “Morning Magnolia is the cutest mobile coffee place that has such fun drinks,” says Angel Conlon, realtor and chief operating officer of South Florida-based Donohue Real Estate.

Where To Eat

Conchy Joe’s Seafood

To catch the true culinary spirit of Jensen Beach, visit Conchy Joe’s Seafood, a laid-back waterfront spot serving Bahamian-style seafood, quirky charm, and fascinating history. Here, you can try “alligator tidbits,” Joe’s Smoked Fish Dip, conch chowder, and more, all famous in their own right. The restaurant has been locally owned and operated by the same founding family since 1983.

“Conchy Joe’s on the water is a super fun dinner vibe,” says Conlon. “Be sure to visit Conchy Joe’s on a Monday night for musical bingo and small-town ‘dive bar’ fun,” Adams adds. “They also have a beautiful waterfront dining area that is the best in town.”

Our pick? Wednesday nights, when Conchy Joe’s hosts hermit crab races. “Bring your family, pick your favorite thoroughbred hermit crab, and watch them race their conquering little hearts out from 6 to 8 p.m.,” their website reads. “We suggest arriving early to pick your winner!”

Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks

Technically located a few minutes east on nearby Hutchinson Island but beloved by locals, Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks has a raw bar, classic seafood, steaks, and a roomy patio with ocean views. “If it’s oceanfront you’re after, Kyle G’s out on the island has great cocktails, breathtaking ocean views, and access to walk on the beach,” says Adams.

11 Maple Street

With chef Michael Perrin at the helm preparing locally-sourced organic produce plus farm-raised and local wild seafood, 11 Maple Street in downtown Jensen Beach is a culinary highlight. “For the best meal of your life and an outstanding experience to go with it, 11 Maple Street will not disappoint,” Adams says.