If you're launching on Indian River Lagoon, Gifford Dock 45th Street Canoe Access is a solid saltwater option in Indian River County. It's well-placed for boaters who want to spend their time fishing rather than trailering across the county. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.
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At a glance
- County
- Indian River
- City
- Vero Beach
- Waterbody
- Indian River Lagoon
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Hand Launch Only
- Ramp surface
- Sand and Gravel Kayak Beach
- Dock
- Fishing Pier
- Parking surface
- Not Paved - Gravel/Limestone/Packed Soil
- Restroom
- No Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- Indian River County
- Status
- Open for Business
Address: Gifford Dock Road, Vero Beach, FL, 32967 · Coordinates: 27.677451, -80.387124
Get directions on Google Maps →
Where it is
Live NEXRAD radar from Iowa State Mesonet — past ~65 minutes animated. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Ramp location from the FWC boat ramp inventory. Not for navigation.
On-water restrictions nearby
No mapped state manatee-protection or boating-safety zones were found within 500 m of this ramp in the current FWC dataset. This does not mean the area is unrestricted — posted signs and other local, state, or federal rules may still apply.
Restriction zones: For general awareness only — not for navigation or legal determination. Florida Administrative Code and posted on-water signs prevail. Other local, state, or federal restricted zones may exist that are not shown here. Source: FWC manatee protection & boating-safety GIS layers. Zone data as of .
What to know before you launch
- Rinse your trailer and engine with fresh water after launching in salt — corrosion is the enemy on Florida's coast.
- Parking and lane space can be tight on weekends; have your gear staged and your plug in before you back down.
- There are no restrooms on-site, so plan accordingly before you head out.
- Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.
Tides at the nearest station
The closest NOAA tide station is Port Canaveral (Trident Pier), about 53 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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