SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA

October 6, 2021

Sebastian is a small fishing village on US Highway 1 on the mainland side of east coast Florida. It has a population of 26,952.

It is just about halfway between Jacksonville and Miami, and is also about halfway between Vero Beach and Melbourne, although a tad closer to Vero.

The area was first noticed when the Spanish Treasure fleet sunk off the beaches during a violent storm in 1715.

Professional treasure experts believe that more than $500 million in gold was lost when the ships went down.

Sebastian has been a fishing village since the 1870s, and was first named St Sebastian.

Sebastian is directly across the Indian River Lagoon from Sebastian Inlet.

This inlet to the Atlantic Ocean is loved and revered by fishermen and surfers from all over the world.

Sebastian Inlet and the entire barrier island off Sebastian are known collectively as the Treasure Coast.

Only a small amount of that reported $500 million treasure has been found.

Gold coins and other precious artifacts still wash up now and then in the sandy beaches adjacent to the inlet.

The McLarty Treasure Museum at Sebastian Inlet State Park interprets the history of the doomed fleet and is fun to visit.

There is plenty to do in Sebastian in addition to fishing. The inlet is nearby for surfing.

There are numerous boat rental services, both for those who want to operate the boat themselves and others who just want to take a ride.

It's also a nice little town for walking, sightseeing, and tiki bar hopping. 

The welcome sign into Sebastian has been a fixture for as long as I can remember. It hasn't been updated in awhile.

The population of Sebastian is much bigger now, so there are probably a few more old grouches who moved down from up north since the sign was painted.

Just kidding!  It's a very friendly town, a fun place to visit, and a good place to live.

Folksinger Arlo Guthrie has his Florida home in Sebastian.  It overlooks the Indian River Lagoon on the north side of town.

Recommended Sebastian Restaurant

Captain Hiram's is a resort directly on the Indian River Lagoon in downtown Sebastian.

It has grown from a small laid back tiki bar kind of hangout to a larger and just as laid back resort. 

Nice hotel rooms are available in addition to the Sand Bar tiki bar and riverfront restaurant.

Captain Hiram's Restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining.

Read more about Captain Hiram's Resort

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