Things to Do in Melbourne Beach, FL

Melbourne Beach is a sweet little beach town just across the bridge from the bustling city of Melbourne. It offers sanctuary to those who need a break from the noise and the crowds. Not a popular tourist destination but still offering plenty to do, this seaside town on the Atlantic Coast of Florida is picturesque and the perfect town to move to if you like your peace and quiet. With beautiful beaches to enjoy day and night, parks to explore, and even a bit of history and culture to immerse yourself in, Melbourne Beach is the lap of luxury real estate for families and retirees alike.

There are so many things to do in Melbourne Beach. Whether you are visiting family, making a day trip over from Melbourne, or planning a move, you can fill your time with activities to keep you on your feet. If you hope to relax, you have a wealth of options for lounging on a beach towel or in a fishing boat. Take a day or a week to wander this seaside town, and you are sure to fall in love.

Melbourne Beach is a beach town situated along two bodies of water. The Atlantic Ocean lies on the east coast, and the Indian River Lagoon laps gently at the shores on the west. Across an elevated bridge, you can access Melbourne, but in terms of outdoor activities, you never need to leave the city.

With 300 miles of trails, catwalks over water and across beaches, and a literal surfer’s paradise, Sebastian Inlet State Park has everything beach lovers could possibly ask for. Set on a jetty that juts out into the Indian River Lagoon, the waters are calm and beautiful, perfect for a day lying on the sand or collecting seashells. Adventurous visitors can charter a boat, and those interested in education can check out the museums on site. You can easily spend a day at the park doing everything from cycling to surfing and from scuba diving to star gazing. Or you can simply hang out at the beach, swim in the lagoon, and then grab a bite to eat at the BG’s Surfside Grill.

An easy one-mile loop takes you through the Barrier Island Sanctuary, which opens up to the Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge. Wander through various coastal habitats that shift from forested dunes to a forest of mangroves, where you’ll spot both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon on either side of you.

The Barrier Island Center will educate you on the barrier islands, the local sea turtles, and the area's history. You’ll enjoy interactive and interpretive displays that prepare you for your gentle and enjoyable hike. Along the footpath and boardwalk, you will find kiosks that inform you of the local habitat, what has been done, and the potential future of the area.

If you just want to explore or relax on a gorgeous beach, look no further than Coconut Point Park. With 36 acres of beach and park, you can see sea turtle nesting sites, watch surfers catching waves, or just plant your umbrella and have a picnic. Complete with restrooms, a changing room, and showers, this sandy beach is accessible via a boardwalk and is part of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge complex. The beach is typically open and not crowded, making it a perfect day trip for a family or a couple just looking for their own private space to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean.

If you’re looking for love and romance, the Melbourne Beach Pier offers them in abundance. Stretching out over the Indian River Lagoon, you’ll get spectacular views of sky and sea that make you feel like you’re in a Hollywood film. A historic beach pier, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of our ancestors from over a hundred years ago. Built in 1889, the pier can be enjoyed simply for its beauty, or you can cast your line and try to catch some fish.

Melbourne Beach does not offer a typical shopping experience, but what it does have is well worth a visit.

You won’t find shopping malls or even entire districts dedicated to shopping in Melbourne Beach, but you can grab a coffee and find plenty of shopping. Along Avenue A and Avenue B, which are situated along the Atlantic Coast, you will find dozens of shops and boutiques perfect for meandering in and out of.

Nautical Collections is a sweet little gift shop that sells all things shells and sea. The Melbourne Beach Market is a small grocery to pick up snacks or picnic items. Catalyst is a surf shop that will sell you wetsuits, surfboards, and more. And, of course, you have to stop in Grounded for a delicious coffee or juice to carry along your shopping trip or down to Ocean Avenue Beach.

Melbourne Beach has a number of excellent dining options to choose from.

Djon’s Steak and Lobster says it all, right? Choose from fresh Maine lobster, filet mignon, shrimp, and more as you dine in a fine dining setting indoors or on a lovely patio looking out over the sea. You’ll also enjoy the piano bar and live music most nights to go along with top-quality food and impeccable service.

Ocean 302 offers craft beers and burgers to beachgoers in an open kitchen setting. The food is farm-to-table and seasonal, so you can trust you’re eating local food prepared by highly trained kitchen staff. Innovative, classic, and casual, this restaurant caters to those with refined tastes and adventurous palates.

For a small beach town, Melbourne Beach has a wealth of culture.

Built in 1908 at Ryckman Park, the Old Town History Center tells the story of the barrier islands and stages exhibits that teach the history of Florida and its place in the American story. Originally constructed as a central location to plan and design the local towns, the center now stands as a testament to the human spirit.

Located in the Sebastian Inlet State Park, the McLarty Treasure Museum and Sebastian Fishing Museum are fun little museums to wander into as you explore the area. With plaques and kiosks that inform visitors of the history of the Spanish galleon ships from the 1700s and the fishing industry along the Indian River Lagoon, the museum is both educational and entertaining.

If you’ve been thinking of moving to Melbourne Beach, the MVP Sales Group is here to help make that transition smooth and seamless. Experts in Melbourne real estate and the surrounding areas, we are happy to share our knowledge and work with you to find your next home. We have a solid reputation among our clients for exceeding expectations, and we look forward to serving you.