Vero Beach is well-known for its scenic and outdoor lifestyle, including boating on the Indian River Lagoon.
Did you know one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Vero Beach is on a daytime or sunset guided sightseeing cruise along the river and through the Indian River Lagoon. At Vero Tackle and Watersports, private river cruises are our specialty. We take guests on a hour and half tour to see Florida wildlife, wetlands and plant habitats, landmarks, architecture and beautiful homes, all within the subject of history and what’s happening today along Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Many of our guests say a Vero Beach cruise is similar to hiking on a trail, but far more relaxing! A river cruise is care-free, memorable and family-friendly, so everyone in your party can take in all the sights and sounds during the excursion.
Vero Tackle and Watersports offers daily boat cruises for up to six persons (adults and/or children), and our open-air boats feature completely unobstructed views. The private group setting allows for a more educational tour, and our guides provide local history as well as share their insider information on all points of interest.
Upon leaving the dock, our guides have a route mapped out, but mostly we take our cue from you! Are you interested in discovering wildlife or in seeing the beautiful homes? Our guides are well-versed and eager to share the sights and sounds with you. Typically, we take guests up to five miles north or south, capturing the heart of the Vero Beach lifestyle.
Just as each day is different, each excursion has its own story to tell. Your tour guide has the knowledge to point out the uniqueness of each site, bird, animal and mammal along the cruise route.
Not only is a guided tour relaxing, our guides love sharing the history and beauty of the river, city and region. Vero Beach recently celebrated its Centennial Celebration, and within those 100 years are rich stories. You will learn why the region is called Florida’s Treasure Coast (and yes, it’s all about gold coins and sunken treasure worth millions of dollars). You’ll also learn how the region was known for its citrus production and that the Jungle Trail road was built to transport citrus from the island to the mainland. The Jungle Trail, still unpaved, is part of the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway system and is on the National Register of Historical Places.
Pelicans are popular bird sightings during sightseeing treks, thanks in large part to Pelican Island, about 12 miles north of Vero Beach. Pelican Island is America’s first National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1903 by an executive order or President Theodore Roosevelt, and in 1963 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The island and surrounding water protects pelicans and other birds, animals and mammals. Due to the establishment of Pelican Island and enduring conservation efforts along the Indian River Lagoon, wildlife species have a safe harbor to live and thrive. We see that every day on the river cruises, and we respect that the land and water first and foremost is their home.
Day tour or sunset tour?
Equally stunning in its viewpoint, the day or sunset tour is a matter of preference. Day tours offer the brilliance of the water, while evenings show off one of Vero Beach’s greatest attractions – our sunsets. Weather also factors into your choice of departure time. Recently sunset tour guests have spotted juvenile dolphins, which are always fun to watch and play.
What to expect, what to bring
Every trip is unique in what is seen, and you can rely on your tour guide for information.
Guests are welcome to bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, and we recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat for the daytime cruises. For sunset cruises in the fall and winter months, we recommend a jacket or light sweater.
And you’ll want to bring your camera! During your cruise, we invite you to share your photos and tag us at #VeroTackle
Let’s go!
Vero Beach Tackle and Watersports looks forward to leading you and your group on a private sightseeing tour on the Indian River. Finding a tour operator that is reliable and with a good reputation is not only important to you, it’s our honor to be your tour guide of choice.
Signing up is quick and easy. Click the link to reserve your tour: https://verowatersports.com/river-boat-tour/, and be sure to call in advance if you have any questions. Our reliable staff can help you decide which time of day is best for you depending on your needs and what you’d like to see.
Parking is free at the Vero Beach Marina and just steps away from our dock. Vero Beach Tackle and Water Sports is located at the southeast end of the Merrill Barber Bridge, right next to the Riverside Café. Check-in is on the dock.
We invite you to contact us by phone, email, or feel free to stop by our location to learn more.
*Wildlife viewing is subject to change. Factors include the weather and time of the cruise, and as much as we’d like to ask the wildlife to show-off for our guests, it’s really up to them. But our guests are typically pleased with all they see and experience.