Gardens at Bathtub Beach will indulge you with its own butterfly and botanical garden, proudly showcasing a variety of indigenous plants and fauna that thrive in the region's delicate coastal climate. (The home is acknowledged by: The Botanical Society of America, American Horticulture Society, and Florida Native Plant Society.) The lush grounds mirror the beauty of the waters gracing the home's private dock. This portion of Florida's Indian River, just before its convergence with the Atlantic Ocean at the nearby inlet, stands as North America's most biodiverse estuary, home to an astounding 3400 species of marine life (Source: Florida Oceanographic Institute).
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, enjoy 5-star luxury amenities and accommodations at an affordable price (the proverbial champagne on a beer budget!). Note: Gardens at Bathtub Beach is rented only to one party at a time; you will not be sharing the premises with strangers or unknown travelers.
Gardens at Bathtub Beach is situated on a private 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 group.) The Ocean is right off your back porch. And right across the street is your own 100-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 (complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, bicycles, boogie boards, aqua cycle, fishing poles & tackle, metal detectors, and more).
Own a boat? Bring it! Moor it at your own private dock, and there's even room to park your trailer. (Boat ramp just 1 mile away). RV? Room for that too! There's so much parking – on both sides of the street – there's room for multiple RVs & boats!
SAVE with the owner's many discount plans: FL resident, senior, first responder, military, education, medical, civil service, volunteer & more.
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".
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 14 ADULTS? Gardens at Bathtub Beach might be a tight fit. Please inquire before booking.
A water wonderland
In addition to the private beach, enjoy your own private dock adjacent to tiki-hut entertainment deck, complete with complimentary fishing equipment (fully-stocked tackle & gear), snorkeling gear, and even complimentary water toys such as paddleboards, kayaks, rafts and more. If you're not bringing your own boat or jet skis, rent from local providers close by.
A treasure chest of delight
Gardens at Bathtub Beach 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. In fact, just three hundred yards away, the House of Refuge Museum showcases relics from prior shipwrecks, one of which — the Georges Valentine wreck — is a fun snorkeling experience and is close enough to swim to from the beach house. (Complimentary beach-comber metal-detectors provided, too.)
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:
- Don't touch/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 fine or arrest you.
- Be responsible with fishing tackle. Avoid leaving behind loose lines and tackle after a successful day fishing. (Birdlife gets tangled in fish lines or snagged by hooks ... or by fish they've caught who still have hooks in their mouth.)
- No littering (this includes even urinating into the water or emptying alcohol/soda into the water).
Property Details
Amenities
Check Availability
November
December
How to Book
"Gardens at Bathtub Beach" is available on all major travel websites and beach house rental booking platforms. For pricing and availability, search your favorite travel platform for "Stuart FL" and use the map feature to navigate to the oceanfront area just east of the towns of Stuart Florida and Sewall's Point Florida. (There, you will find our "Beach Houses in Paradise", including "Gardens at Bathtub Beach".)
Need help? Questions?
Photo Gallery
Highlights:
Ocean-to-River:
Beach & Oceanfront Area:
Heated Swimming Pool & Spa Area:
Riverfront Recreation Area:
Main Level:
Upper Level:
Ground Level:
Driveway & Entrance:
Guest Book
Previous guests at Gardens at Bathtub Beach have posted zillions of reviews online, at all the different travel websites, Facebook, Google Reviews, Yelp and beyond. Even more elect to do it "the old-fashioned way" . . . by making hand-written entries into a physical journal located at the home itself:
Guest Memories
Previous guests have generously contributed photos and videos, submitted to us or posted publicly on social media, about their group enjoying fun activities during their stay at Gardens at Bathtub Beach
Map
FAQ
- Is Gardens at Bathtub Beach wheelchair or motion-impaired accessible?
- This home features an elevator that provides access to the main living areas.
- Are events allowed at Gardens at Bathtub Beach?
- Although Gardens at Bathtub Beach is available for small-scale and modest events, it is NOT a party house. The area surrounding the home is environmentally fragile, and cannot safely withstand more people than the posted maximum occupancy of the home itself. The house also lacks a single large room suitable for hosting a large group. If you want to have a big party near the beach, consider these nearby alternatives: The Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort has ample facilities for large events, and The House of Refuge has a smaller room that it rents out to small-to-medium-size events.
- Are boats and jet skis included?
- All human-powered toys you see — from bikes to kayaks, from paddle boards to snorkels — are included free with your rental at Gardens at Bathtub Beach. (Note that surfboards tend to be highly specialized items that many of our guests bring themselves. If you would like to rent surfboards, they are available from several providers.) Motorized items — such as jet skis, boats, cars, or RV’s — can be rented from nearby providers.
- Do you offer discounts?
- We offer many discounts: Military, educators, civil service, medical, rescue and law enforcement. Active or retired. Even Florida residents save (but Seniors age 50+ get the biggest discount of all).
- Are there alligators?
- Alligators don't exist in this part of Florida. (Gators can't survive near the beach in saltwater environments; they live only inland, where there is plenty of fresh water.) At Gardens at Bathtub Beach, both the river and ocean are salty.
- Can I combine a Florida beach house vacation with a Disney World Orlando vacation?
- Yes. For those interested in combining a beach house experience with Mickey Mouse, Disney World, Universal, and all the other Orlando Resorts: It's a two-hour drive from Gardens at Bathtub Beach to Disney and Orlando, driving along the Florida Turnpike. (Avoid the Interstate). Many vacationing families in our beach home community will spend a week bringing three (or four) generations together in a Florida beach house, then "spin off" the younger side of the family to Disney World for a few days.