Last weekend we packed the boys up for our last trip of 2020 to kick it at Florida’s Treasure Coast in Martin County, FL! We took them on the MOST epic adventure of all time and explored the educational enhancing surroundings of Hobe Sound Nature Center Trail!
This post is sponsored by Discover Martin County and Visit Florida.
As you guys have seen in some of our most recent travel posts, we’ve really tried to put an emphasis on adding really fun homeschooling lessons into our travel itineraries this year! Sometimes that meant a full day of educating like when we visited SeaWorld with this super awesome printable journal, and other times that meant just a day on the beach picking up seashells in Clearwater, or an up close and personal look at the ears of an owl in Hobe Sound! The boys have learned so much this year just through our travels alone!
While the Hobe Sound Nature Center is currently closed inside to visitors for safety precautions, the trail is still open for walks and adventure! We were able to get an up close VIP experience with Spirit the red tailed hawk, Sandy the skunk, and Caloosa the bard owl, who currently reside at the center!
Did you know?
A bard owl is feathered down to it’s toes unlike a hawk who has naked legs like a chicken!
Animals currently residing at Hobe Sound Nature Center:
- Red Tailed Hawk
- Snakes
- Baby gators
- Arachnids
- Insects
- Bard Owl
- Skunk
- Tortoises
Know before you go:
When hitting the trail(s), there’s a few things you should know first!
- Take a gander at the map to pick your trail
- Pack water & snacks
- Wear a swim suit for the beach trail
- Spray for bugs
- Watch for tortoises
- Look but, don’t touch!
The boys were so excited to see THREE gopher tortoises on our first trail leg, along with nature’s very own coffee bean, wild rosemary, and cactus! As we ventured on to our second leg of the trail, we went beachside! The breeze was fantastic and made this spot a great stop for a picnic! We saw other trail hikers putting in their kayaks in for a beautiful ride while others played ball with their pups! The boys really loved seeing all of the action happening here while they counted the coconuts that had fallen from the 25+ foot palms!
Did you know?
Young gopher tortoises eat the poop of older tortoises in order to get their nutrients!
Things to do at Hobe Sound Nature Center
- Turtle Trek
- Beach Combing Hike
- Craft Package Pick-Ups
- Trail Hikes
- Picnic on the Beach
- Spot a gopher tortoise hole
For our next adventure, we took the boys on an epic sail aboard the Schooner Lily!
This was hands down, one of the greatest things we’ve done with our older boys and I highly recommend it if you’re taking a trip to Florida’s Treasure Coast!
We boarded for a sunset cruise on this gorgeous flat bottom barge sailboat that first launched in 1978. With so much history behind the boat’s origin and past, paired with it’s old world charm, this was a HIT with the boys! They felt like they went back in time! I loved that the captain and skipper involved the boys to tie the sails down and let them explore the boat!
FAQ’s:
- Talk to me about seasickness?!
- I don’t think this is anything to be concerned about! The boat stays on the river and never too far from land! I can totally see the concern but, think you’ll be just fine!!
- Should I bring young kids?
- We only brought our oldest boys, ages 6 & 8! However, I think our 3 year old would have also done great and enjoyed it as well! I think if I had fed our 1 year old beforehand and bought him with a full belly, he would have been just fine too!
- How much is it?
- Prices currently are $40 – $45 for all sails. Day sails for children 12 & under are $25.
- Was it private?
- No but, there were only two other couples on the sail with us and it’s pretty spacious and roomy so we didn’t have trouble staying to ourselves! It still felt really private, and as you can see in the pictures, it truly seemed that way!
- Do you have to sit the entire time?
- No! The boys wandered the boat and explored during our sail which I loved for them!
- Can you bring snacks?
- Yes! Bring a light snack or drink with you if you think you’ll need it! We’ve become a family who under packs for everything so, I didn’t pack snacks and the boys were fine!
- How long is it?
- The ride is about 2 hours!
- Where does it launch?
- St. Lucie River Departing From Shepard’s Park in Stuart
What to pack:
- Light jacket
- Snacks for kids
- Water
- Camera or Phone
Fun Facts:
- Schooner Lily was first launched in 1978
- This flat bottom barge sailboat used to transport cattle feed
- It was built by the original owner in response to the oil embargo
- Schooner Lily only started hauling passengers in the early 2000’s
Watch our stories on Instagram from our trip, HERE!
Trip Highlights:
We saw dolphins almost immediately once our trip started! The captain launched a canon from the boat, and I can’t possibly forget the gorgeous sunset! This is hands down a MUST-DO when you’re in Martin County, whether you have kids in tow or are on a solo trip!
If you’re looking for a quiet gem on Florida’s East Coast, Martin County is a great choice! Catch a sunset on Schooner Lily, grab a bite at Riverwalk Cafe, stroll through Downtown Stuart, or hit the trails at Hobe Sound Nature Center!
Thank you to Visit Florida and Discover Martin for sponsoring this post.
