Martin County
The St. Lucie River, the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Inlet give Stuart and its neighbors some of the best boating on the coast, with routes to the ocean, the lagoon and the Okeechobee Waterway.
Waterfront guide
From someone who's on the water.
I fish and dive these waters, and I've spent a lot of time on boats. Here's what I check before anyone falls for a view.
Marathon
In the Middle Keys, deep-water canals, oceanside reefs and bayside flats sit minutes apart. I know these waters as a diver and angler, and I help buyers find homes that fit the way they use them.
Getting to open water
For a boater, the view matters less than the route. I start with how you get from the dock to where you actually want to go.
Depth
Water depth at the dock and along the route at low tide, compared with the draft of the boat you have or want.
Bridges
Any fixed bridges between the property and open water, and their clearance against your boat's height.
Time to the inlet
How long the run really is, at the speeds you'll be allowed to travel.
Ocean or bay
In the Keys, oceanside and bayside water behave very differently. Your kind of boating decides which suits you.
Dock, lift and seawall
Waterfront structures are expensive to replace, so their condition belongs in the price conversation.
Dock
Construction, age, condition and permits. Whether it can take the boat you have in mind.
Lift
Capacity, age and service history. A lift that's too small for your next boat is a cost to plan for.
Seawall
Age, cracks, and signs of soil loss behind the wall. A tired seawall is one of the larger waterfront repair bills.
Power and water
Shore power, lighting and water at the dock, and how they're protected from salt and storms.
Storms, flood and insurance
Living on the water means planning for it. I'd rather you understand the costs before you make an offer than after.
Flood zone and elevation
The property's flood zone and its elevation, which drive both risk and insurance cost.
Insurance
Get quotes early. Wind and flood coverage can change the real cost of owning a home.
Construction
Impact windows and doors, roof age and how the home has come through past storms.
Exposure
How exposed the dock and home are to wind and waves from the open water.
Rules on the water
Rules can limit how you use the water, so I check them for the specific property.
Association rules
Community or condominium rules on boat size, lifts, docks and guest boats.
Permits
Permits for existing docks and lifts, and what it takes to change or add them.
Protected waters
Manatee zones and environmental rules that affect speed, dredging and dock work.
Rentals
If you plan to rent the home, local rental rules, which vary a great deal, especially in the Keys.
A recent waterfront sale
Waterfront · Sold Mar 2025
$5,450,000
3035 SE Saint Lucie Blvd
Stuart, FL 34997
3 bd · 5 ba · 5,183 sq ft · 1.63 acres
Waterfront estate under the banyan trees, with wide water views across the St. Lucie.
Represented the buyer
Contact
Looking for a place on the water.
Tell me about your boat and how you like to spend time on the water. I'll focus on the properties that fit.