Family Tides

The perfect beach retreat for large or multi-generational families (or groups of friends) to reconnect in a fun-yet-relaxing vacation setting. This three-level house easily sleeps over a dozen based on actual headcount in private bedrooms, and even more with our collection of rollaway beds, cots, and sleeper sofas. Each floor features its own living area with couch, chairs, TV, and kitchenette. Everyone comes together on the middle floor, where the giant double-oven kitchen overlooks both a large riverfront dining room and gorgeous oceanfront living room and outdoor ocean deck (complete with easy-to-use grille and patio furniture).

Why is "Ocean to river" so special? Easy: When you step off the back-porch oceanfront deck, you are walking onto your own private, Atlantic Ocean beach. Now, head on over to the front door. Walk 20 paces in the other direction. Now, you are on your own private dock on the mile-wide Indian River. A dock that's just a mile north of the St. Lucie inlet, which connects the river to the ocean. Fish (saltwater or freshwater). Surf. Paddleboard. Jetski. Snorkel. Enjoy our complimentary kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, bicycles, metal detectors, the list goes on and on ... did we mention the free sunrises and sunsets?

Wear your t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops to the airport, because that's all you need for your Florida beach-house vacation . . . We provide the rest. Travel light — and live large — with the fully-stocked, 5-Star-amenity properties of Beach Houses in Paradise! (Our motto is "We stock heavy, so you can travel light".)

At rates starting at less than $100 per night per bedroom, Family Tides gives you 5-star luxury amenities and accommodations at a price you can AFFORD ("champagne on a beer budget", as they say). Note: Family Tides is rented only to one party at a time; you will not be sharing the premises with strangers or unknown travelers.

Situated on a private, swimmable beach in a quiet residential area. There are no condos, high rises or large public beaches for miles: No crowds, just a beach all to yourself and your party. Just across the street is your own 150-foot-long deep-water private dock on the Indian River, offering some of the best fishing in the world, and stocked with all your favorite water toys and fishing gear. (Provided complimentary, of course.)

Own a boat? Bring it! Moor it at your own private dock! (or rent one at one of the many nearby providers, and park it at your dock for the duration of your stay!)

SAVE! Paradise need not hurt the wallet or pocketbook. We offer many discounts: military, educators, civil service, rescue and law enforcement, medical and more. Active or retired. Even Florida residents save $$. (But "Seniors" aged 50+ get the biggest discount of all.)

Not only is the home situated in the most biodiverse marine environment in North America (source: Florida Oceanographic Institute), it's also located in Stuart FL, 2024 winner of the USA Today "Best Coastal Small Towns in America" rankings. (And #1 winner of the "Happiest Seaside Town in USA" award by Coastal Living Magazine!) Locals of a certain age—that remember TV's "The Andy Griffith Show"—proudly call Stuart the "Mayberry of Florida".

SWIMMING POOLS / FITNESS / TENNIS / GOLF: Looking for a pool? How about 3?(!!) While the ocean and river are fun, some outdoor fanatics still want MORE: With your stay of 1 week or longer, the owner includes FREE complimentary passes to 3 resort-style pools at the nearby Ocean Club @ the Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort (includes golf, tennis & fitness, too). The Marriott is located just 1 mile north of the home.

Everything is included free with your rental

From bicycles to beach blankets, from towels to toilet paper, and all points between. (Did you know that fewer than 25% of Florida listings include high chairs for little ones? Many vacation rentals don't even provide you a full supply of toilet paper (!) or such basics as towels, bed linens, toiletries, paper goods or even cooking essentials like salt, pepper, spices, oils, and other basic staples.

And can you imagine arriving to your beach vacation rental, only to discover that there are no coolers, ice, beach chairs, beach towels, beach blankets, umbrellas and beach toys like sand pails, bikes, cornhole, volleyball, kayaks, and horseshoes? Why waste the first day of your precious vacation — or more money — shopping at the local Wal-Mart?

Instead, book a Beach House in Paradise and begin relaxing the moment you arrive. (We even pre-heat hot tubs and pools, and put out the bathrobes & towels so your relaxing beach vacation can start the moment you arrive.)

What others say about our town (Stuart, FL)

• USA Today: #1 Best Coastal Small Town in America (2024 winner)
• Coastal Living Magazine: #1 Happiest Seaside Town in America (2016)
• House Beautiful Magazine: #1 Most Beautiful Small Town in Florida
• Smithsonian Magazine: Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S. (3rd place)
• America In Bloom (Audubon group): #1 Most Beautiful City in America
• American Planning Association: #1 City in Florida (2020 winner)
• Oprah Winfrey: "Most charming American towns you've never heard of" (6th place,  O Magazine, Jan 2020)
• FindTheHome: #1 Best Place to Retire in the U.S.
• OnlyInYourState: 1 of 8 "Most Beautiful Small Towns in Florida"
• Huffington Post: Top Florida Beach Towns

Uncompromising Comfort is Our Standard

MORE THAN 9 ADULTS? Family Tides might be a tight fit. Please inquire before booking.

One of only 60 beach houses like it in the USA

A rare ocean pearl, the home is among the fewer than 60 beach houses in the entire United States that sit DIRECTLY ON THE OCEAN and also sit DIRECTLY ON A MILE-PLUS WIDE RIVER with private dock for fishing and water toys, and where the river empties into the ocean just a short mile away. Start every day with breakfast views of a glorious sunrise gently emerging above the peaceful ocean. Usher in each evening with mesmerizing vistas of golden-hued sunsets rippling across the majestic Indian River.

A nature-lover’s paradise

The home sits at the southern terminus of the Indian River, the most biologically diverse estuary in all North America (according to marinelife samples taken by the Florida Oceanographic Society marine biologists in May 2015 ... samples taken just yards away from this home's dock.) From your dock or oceanfront deck, watch manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles frolic year-round. Birdlife abounds with ibis, egrets, herons, warblers, pelicans and more. And fishing? Well, let's just say that while a Publix supermarket is conveniently located just a few blocks down the street, you'll never need to buy fish from the market during your stay.

A water wonderland

In addition to the private beach, enjoy your own private dock, complete with complimentary fishing equipment (fully-stocked rods, line and tackle), snorkeling gear, and even complimentary water toys like paddleboards, kayaks, rafts and more. Not bringing your own boat or jetski? Rent from a location just a few hundred yards away from your own private dock!

A treasure chest of delight

Family Tides sits smack dab in the middle of the "Treasure Coast". To this very day, gold doubloons, pieces of eight and other spanish treasure still occasionally wash up along Hutchinson Island, especially following big storms during the summer. (Complimentary beach-comber metal-detectors are provided, of course!)

Help preserve our pristine area

The waters in and around the beach house are among the most biologically rich and environmentally sensitive in the entire United States. The owners of the home are ardent supporters of local environmental groups for 20+ years, with financial support and contributions well into the 7 figures.

Help preserve the natural beauty and sensitive ecosystem surrounding the home:

• Do not touch or approach dolphins, sea turtles and manatees (who sometimes swim near the end of the dock). These are protected species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife officers in their boats have powerful binoculars; they WILL arrest you.
• Be responsible with your fishing tackle. Avoid leaving behind loose lines, hooks and other tackle after a successful day fishing. (Pelicans, egrets, herons and other birdlife get tangled in fish lines or snagged by hooks ... or by fish they've caught who still have a hook in their mouth.)
• Do not litter (this includes urinating into the water, emptying alcohol or soda into the water, and so on).