Bathtub Reef Beach

At low tide a worm-built reef just offshore breaks the swell and leaves a shallow, sheltered pool along the sand, which is why families and new snorkelers come here. The effect is strongest in the calmer spring and summer seas; fall and winter swells can push over the reef and set up currents inside it. Go near low tide, stay off the fragile reef, and swim while the guards are on duty.

Directions

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Latest reading · SwimScore 82/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 27°C, wind 19 km/h, waves 0.4 m, UV 2. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Low tide during the calmer spring and summer seas, when the reef creates the protected 'bathtub' pool.
Getting in: Martin County beach park at 1585 SE MacArthur Blvd. on Hutchinson Island, Stuart. Erosion has closed the beach at times; Martin County posts closures and conditions on its Safe Beach Day tool.
Parking & transport: Beach parking lot on MacArthur Blvd.; Martin County's tourism office describes parking as ample.
Lifeguards: Martin County Ocean Rescue is on duty daily 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m. After severe erosion the county has pulled the towers and left the beach unguarded until further notice, so check tower status before you go.
Water quality: Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program samples the 'Bathtub Public Beach' site for enterococci bacteria every 1–2 weeks depending on county (Good 0–35, Moderate 36–70, Poor 71+ per 100 mL); an advisory is issued when a sample and its resample both exceed 70.
Season: Spring and summer are best; recreational access varies with seasonal sand and erosion.
Watch for: In fall and winter swells, Nor'easters and tropical storms the reef can't break the waves and strong currents can develop inside it
Fragile Sabellariid worm reef just offshore; avoid standing or walking on it
Seasonal erosion can shrink or close the beach
Facilities: Restrooms · Showers