North Hutchinson Island is a coastal barrier island in Indian River and St. Lucie counties on the east coast of Florida in the United States. The island is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and is separated from the mainland on the west by the Indian River Lagoon . The portion of the island in Indian River County is known as Orchid Island .
7-549: The McLarty Treasure Museum is located at 13180 North A1A on North Hutchinson Island , north of Windsor and Vero Beach, Florida , on the barrier island at the north end of Indian River County . The museum occupies part of the former site of the Survivors' and Salvagers' Camp - 1715 Fleet , and is part of Sebastian Inlet State Park . It houses exhibits on the history of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet , and it features artifacts, displays, and an observation deck that overlooks
14-475: A habitat for varied marine wildlife including manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, many species of fish, and birds. The city of Vero Beach lies on both sides of the Indian River, with its main business and residential areas on the mainland. Two of the island's four bridges from the mainland lie within the city limits. Other communities on the island include the towns of Indian River Shores and Orchid , and
21-541: Is an Atlantic barrier island located on Florida's Treasure Coast approximately 110 miles (180 km) north of Fort Lauderdale . The island extends from the Sebastian Inlet on the north to the Fort Pierce Inlet on the south, and is about 28 miles (45 km) long. It has an area of 23.86 square miles (61.8 km ). The island was once included with the barrier island ( Hutchinson Island ) to
28-479: Is known as Atlantic Beach Boulevard. North Hutchinson Island has many county and state parks and preserves, and is one of the few areas on the east coast of Florida with several accreting (growing) beaches. A number of restaurants, hotels and shops are located on, or easily accessible to the island. Activities on North Hutchinson Island include fishing, snorkeling , boating, kayaking, hiking, biking, surfing, parasurfing , paddleboarding , and wildlife observation. On
35-653: The Atlantic Ocean . An A&E Network production, The Queen's Jewels and the 1715 Fleet , is shown, telling of the fleet's attempt to return to Spain when a hurricane struck off the Florida coast 300 years ago. The property for the museum was donated to the State by Mr. Robert McLarty, a retired Atlanta attorney who lived in Vero Beach. North Hutchinson Island, Florida North Hutchinson Island
42-503: The northern end of the island is Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge , the nation's first refuge was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 with over 5,400 acres (22 km ) of protected waters and lands. Avalon State Park located on A-1-A near the St. Lucie County line provides a number of recreational opportunities and its beach is used by visitors for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving. The area ecosystem provides
49-492: The south as "Hutchinson Island", even though the Fort Pierce Inlet split it into two islands. In 1985, Indian River County renamed its portion of the island "Orchid Island", to distinguish it from the high density development occurring on Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County. State Road A1A is the main road for the length of the island, and four bridges provide access to the mainland. For most of its length, A-1-A
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