South Beach in Fort Pierce, Florida, offers a lifestyle akin to a resort vacation, with frequent sightings of dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. The area features large, scenic beaches, nature preserves, and a variety of beach bars and restaurants. Unlike the mega-tourism of nearby cities like West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Miami, South Beach attracts visitors with its quieter, more peaceful beaches. Housing primarily consists of condos with waterfront views and dock access, such as Ocean Harbour North and Atlantic View Beach Club, as well as multimillion-dollar beachfront estates. The area is served by Brevard Public Schools and Indian River County School District, with highly rated schools like West Melbourne Elementary School for Science, Storm Grove Middle School, and Vero Beach High School.
The main roads, Highway A1A and South Ocean Drive, are frequented by golf carts, motorcycles, cars, and bikes. South Beach is approximately 110 miles north of Fort Lauderdale and southeast of Orlando, with Vero Beach Regional Airport and Melbourne Orlando International Airport serving the area. Local parks include Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, Pepper Park Beach, and South Beach Park, offering activities like diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and surfing. The community prioritizes wildlife preservation, particularly for manatees and sea turtles.
Dining options such as Archie's Seabreeze and Square Grouper Tiki Bar Ft Pierce Inlet are popular among locals. Nearby grocery stores include The Fresh Market and Walmart Express. Fort Pierce, the second-oldest city in Florida, is close by with a laid-back downtown area featuring shopping, restaurants, and a Saturday farmers' market. Notable attractions include the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, Lucie County Aquarium, McKee Botanical Gardens, and the National Navy Seal Museum.