Captain Hiram’s Resort is a quaint, quirky, comfortable little slice of the tropics in Indian River County, Florida. This unassuming beach resort is nestled into a tiny town called Sebastian, in Indian River County not far from Vero Beach. Drawing its flavour from Key West, and the colourful islands of the Caribbean, Captain Hiram’s Resort is a sweet spot to stay and a bit of a secret, tucked away as it is, providing gorgeous views along the Treasure Coast and Sebastian Inlet, Indian River Estuary and Lagoon.
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Where is Captain Hiram’s?
Captain Hiram’s Resort and Marina is a bit hidden, back off US Highway 1, Sebastian, Florida, roughly 13 miles from Vero Beach. Start looking for the Jungle River Cruise sign and you are almost on top of it. What you see from the road though is just a small slice of what you get.
After a red eye flight and a very long day of travel I arrived at Captain Hiram’s Resort for a two night stay while exploring Indian River County and Martin County on the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida this month. Captain Hiram’s Resort is a colourful place, with friendly staff and a very laid back atmosphere. Try this Florida River Cruise nearby if you visit.
Impressions of Sebastian
Sebastian is a quiet coastal fishing village and it’s quite peaceful. The scenery is gorgeous and the marine wildlife is exceptional. In fact Captain Hiram’s Resort is on the Indian River Lagoon and Estuary, which boasts the most biodiverse ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere. That is abundantly apparent one night when I spot dolphins, fish, multiple different species of birds and crabs, and a barely noticeable hint of a manatee, all while having dinner.
A photo posted by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on
Indian River Florida Facts
The Indian River lagoon and estuary boasts more than 3,000 species of plants and animals. It is well studied and also monitored for impact of pollution on the many species that call this area home. The mangroves that are so common here along the barrier islands create a safe nursery space for baby creatures of all sorts. There are many protected species living in the lagoon. This area is globally significant because Indian River County and Martin County coastal areas provide one of the most dense sea turtle nesting areas in the world.
Captain Hiram’s Resort appeals to many types of travellers
Why Captain Hiram’s?
Sports teams pass through here often and the resort is booked solid every weekend all year round with players and their families in town for tournaments. There are a great number of fishing tournaments in the area throughout the year.
The Marina
You need only have dinner or breakfast at Blackfins, literally across the parking lot and part of the resort, to see why this spot attracts diehard anglers. The marina is stunning and Captain Hiram’s Resort boasts dock to drink service in seconds. The marina is capable of docking many boats with 60 slips. The fresh seafood is very good here and the drinks are tasty too. Small but notable feature – this restaurant uses only Fiesta dishes. If you know dishes at all then you get that this is a classy colourful treat adding even more island flare.
Traveler Tip: Order breakfast at Blackfins, Crabbie Eggs Benedict was fantastic.
The rooms were clean and comfortable. I stayed in a spacious corner suite facing the pool with a king bed. The building is only two stories high and that’s with good reason. City planners have made this a priority here in Indian River County so no buildings can be higher than 2-3 stories, so the view of the lagoon and river is never obstructed or inaccessible. The hashtag in the area says it all #sunrisesnothighrises High rises are not welcome because the view is a huge part of the attraction here.
[tweetthis]In Indian River County and Vero Beach the hashtag says it all #lovefl #sunrisesnothighrises #travel #[/tweetthis]
There was a small balcony facing the palm tree lined parking lot which I loved having even though it rained the first day quite a bit. Captain Hiram’s Resort has a bar and a stage area where musical acts perform every night of the year. That’s right there’s music every night of the year. Some concerts are held here and they are popular with tourists and residents.
There are rooms with a small kitchen nook equipped with wet bar, fridge and microwave. You can see why this would be popular with families. That helps to save money when traveling as a group or a family.
The sitting area also has a TV set and space to lounge. These suites are great for a few things: businesses host conferences here and will occasionally use these rooms as meeting spaces. Weddings are also hosted here at Captain Hiram’s Resort partly due to the scenery and the pretty beachfront.
Pool?
The heated pool was nice, even if it wasn’t being used much the two nights I was there due to rainy weather. The day I left the beach was getting busier and I could see why. The beach is small but charming. There’s an area to swim, rent paddleboards, and kayaks.
What About Activities?
An activity centre is on site and it’s very accommodating for people who are staying at the resort. This beach area is small, but very family friendly. I spied several multi-generational groups splashing around that last morning I visited.
Captain Hiram’s Resort in Sebastian Also Has:
The free WIFI was an excellent feature that made my stay even better than I expected and free parking is also ample. Park your car and leave it. There are several restaurants and some small shops in walking distance, but this is not a tourist mecca. This area is not overly commercial, which I found enjoyable and unique to Sebastian.
There are no chain restaurants here, but there are several local authentic eateries with great seafood and other fare. In fact, the fresh catch couldn’t possibly be fresher here.
This Indian River County Resort Features:
- Heated Outdoor Pool
- 60 Slip Marina
- Watersports Rentals
- Fishing Charters
- Live Entertainment Nightly
- Banquet Facilities for Weddings, Family Reunions, Corporate or Business Conventions, Seminars, etc.
- Free Parking
- Free WI FI
- Coffee makers in the rooms
- Close to Vero Beach and Sebastian Inlet where you can visit several beaches, nature preserves, museums, and watersport activities, sea turtle nesting walks and more.
Learn More:
Learn more about Captain Hiram’s Resort, or to book a stay visit: http://www.hirams.com
Disclosure:
The resort is also on Facebook and Twitter
I was a guest of Visit Florida and the tourism departments of Martin County and Indian River County, Florida. I received accommodations, flights, compensation and other perks as part of my stay. My opinion is all my own and it is also 100 % truthful.