Delaplane Preserve Canoe/Kayak Launch is a saltwater boat ramp on St. Lucie River - South Fork, and it earns its spot in Martin County thanks to easy access and quick water. Boaters here tend to be a friendly, early-rising bunch — get there at first light and you'll see why. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.
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At a glance
- County
- Martin
- City
- Stuart
- Waterbody
- St. Lucie River - South Fork
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Hand Launch Only
- Ramp surface
- Sand, Gravel, Crushed Shell
- Dock
- Fishing Dock
- Restroom
- No Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- Martin County
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- Daytime Use Only
Address: 6084 SW Gaines Avenue, Stuart, FL, 34997 · Coordinates: 27.129981, -80.264238
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 Pga Boulevard Bridge, ICWW, about 23 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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