Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island)

1585 SE MacArthur Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996

The signature beach of southern Hutchinson Island — a natural Sabellariid worm reef just offshore breaks summer waves, creating a calm "bathtub" lagoon kids can wade in. Snorkeling on the reef turns up sea turtles, parrotfish, and 500+ marine species. Erosion has closed the beach in past years after hurricanes; check status before going.

Skip the beach today.

Thunderstorms · 85°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 102. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Weather

  • 95°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade

Water

  • 85°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

  • Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
skip
23 Swim
50 Sunbathe
29 Walk
29 Photo

Best for sunbathing today

Water level 0.6 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 8722670 · Observed 0.72 ft · Predicted 0.16 ft

Air Temp
95°F
Clear
Wind
10 mph
SE
Rain
15%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo ago

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (FLZ164)

The MLB office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

  • FLZ141 Coastal Volusia-Mainland Northern Brevard — Northern Brevard Barrier Islands n/a
  • FLZ154 Coastal Indian River-Mainland Southern Brevard — Southern Brevard Barrier Islands n/a
  • FLZ159 Coastal Saint Lucie-Coastal Martin — Fort Pierce Inlet, Jensen Beach, n/a

NWS SRF · MLB · Issued Jul 18, 3:00 PM

Sunrise
6:37 AM
Sunset
8:16 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Time Type Height
5:50 AM Low -0.2 ft
12:02 PM High 2.9 ft
6:09 PM Low -0.1 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8722670, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Jul 18
95°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

15%
36
Sun Jul 19
96°

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

20%
31
Mon Jul 20
97°

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

47%
12
Tue Jul 21
97°

Mostly Sunny

14%
65
Wed Jul 22
90°

Sunny

9%
78
Thu Jul 23
91°

Sunny

12%
76
Fri Jul 24
91°

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

18%
37
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 85°F
  • critical Extra water / electrolytes 95°F - heat risk

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

Free county lot at 1585 SE MacArthur Blvd; fills early on weekends.

Dogs

Leashed dogs allowed on Martin County beaches, but not in guarded swim areas during lifeguard hours.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

1585 SE MacArthur Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnorkeling reef
Is it safe to swim at Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) today?

Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) dog-friendly?

Leashed dogs allowed on Martin County beaches, but not in guarded swim areas during lifeguard hours.

Is there an entry fee at Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island)?

Entry to Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) is free.

Are there lifeguards at Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island)?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island)?

Amenities at Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snorkeling reef.

When is the water warmest at Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island)?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) located?

Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island) is in Martin County, FL, at 1585 SE MacArthur Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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