Hobe Sound / Port Salerno
At the southern end of the county, discover the understated elegance of Hobe Sound with its collection of antique shops, funky eateries, art galleries, and nature parks. Hobe Sound’s downtown district hosts several annual events including the Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts, Hobe Sound Art Walk and Stroll and its annual Christmas Parade. Hobe Sound’s crown jewel—Jonathan Dickinson State Park—includes a federally designated scenic river and offers rental boats, camping, bike trails, and scenic tours of the Loxahatchee River aboard the Loxahatchee Queen II. From the trail or while paddling the river, watch for deer, raccoons, foxes, bobcats, opossums, alligators, otters, and the American Bald Eagle. Over 140 species of birds have been identified here, making Jonathan Dickinson an excellent birding destination. Other popular Hobe Sound points of interest include the Hobe Sound Nature Center and Blowing Rocks Preserve
The historic small-town fishing village of Port Salerno blends local color with art galleries, working artist studios, and waterfront dining featuring locally caught seafood, as well as landlubber fare. A working waterfront and fishing fleet provides fresh seafood to local restaurants and markets, as well as for the Port Salerno Seafood Festival, which is held on the public docks and neighborhood streets the earlier part of every year. Port Salerno also welcomes ‘captains of industry’ from around the world every year, who come to the area to fish world-class sport fishing tournaments that are based out of marinas and parks located on the Manatee Pocket.