Jensen Beach Park takes its name from John Laurence Jensen, a Danish immigrant who arrived in 1881 and established a pineapple plantation that became the town of Jensen. The area was originally called Santana before being renamed for its pioneering settler. By 1895, Jensen had earned fame as the 'Pineapple Capital of the World,' shipping over a million boxes of pineapples each June and July during the height of the 19th-century pineapple farming boom. The town incorporated as Jensen in 1926 during Florida's Land Boom but dissolved in 1933 following the Great Depression, with Martin County officially changing the name to Jensen Beach in 1943. The beach itself sits on Hutchinson Island along the Atlantic Ocean, with Martin County having been carved from northern Palm Beach County and southern St. Lucie County in 1925.
This 20-mile stretch of walkable sandy beachfront offers the largest public beach access with lifeguards on duty providing safe swimming in clear Atlantic waters. Surfers catch waves along the coastline while kiteboarders and windsurfers harness ocean breezes. Sand volleyball courts provide athletic recreation between swimming sessions. Fishing opportunities abound at both the beach and nearby Jensen Beach Causeway Park, which features fishing piers along the Indian River. Shelling reveals Atlantic treasures along the shoreline during low tide. The beach provides picnic areas, restrooms, showers, and a concession stand for day visitors. Unforgettable sunrise views draw early morning beachgoers to witness the sun emerging from the Atlantic horizon.
Kyle G's Prime Seafood follows an 'Eat Local, Be Coastal' philosophy, featuring the freshest catches from local fishermen alongside prime steaks and pristine raw bar selections with ocean views. Conchy Joe's Seafood has served Bahamian-inspired seafood and tropical drinks on the Indian River since 1979, with live music five nights weekly plus Trivia Tuesdays and Wednesday and Friday Hermit Crab Races. The Magic Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill on Hutchinson Island, opened in 2015, offers a rotating selection of oysters from the Gulf, East, and West Coasts just minutes from Jensen Beach Park. Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House crafts fresh seafood dishes with contemporary flair, serving Sunday breakfast and lunch with omelet and waffle stations plus a Bloody Mary bar.
