Beaches in Martin County are a winter wonderland for tourists, residents

Leah Voss
leah.voss@tcpalm.com
Relatives (from left) Nancy Childers, seasonal resident of Palm City, Michelle Adgalanis, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Katie Childers, 14, seasonal resident of Palm City, play a game of paddleball Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
Relatives (from left) Nancy Childers, seasonal resident of Palm City, Michelle Adgalanis, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Katie Childers, 14, seasonal resident of Palm City, play a game of paddleball Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
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Bianca Zippy, 9, and her brother, Stephen Zippy, 8, both of Stuart, sled down the sand while their sister, Avia Zippy, 12 (back left), dog Skipper and mother Christy Zippy watch Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
Bianca Zippy, 9, and her brother, Stephen Zippy, 8, both of Stuart, sled down the sand while their sister, Avia Zippy, 12 (back left), dog Skipper and mother Christy Zippy watch Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
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Makenzie Douglas, 9, of Stuart, plays amongst a flock of birds Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
Makenzie Douglas, 9, of Stuart, plays amongst a flock of birds Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
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Married couple Scott and Lauren Webster, of Mouth of Wilson, Va., try to find a spot to land on a busy beach day Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
Married couple Scott and Lauren Webster, of Mouth of Wilson, Va., try to find a spot to land on a busy beach day Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
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Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
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Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides keeps the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach closed Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
Vince Rapp, of Columbus, Ohio, plays with his son Eli Rapp, 3, near the heavily eroded Bathtub Reef Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
Vince Rapp, of Columbus, Ohio, plays with his son Eli Rapp, 3, near the heavily eroded Bathtub Reef Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
The Frith family, of Bernardsville, N.J., take a photo together near Chastain Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides closed the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach nearby. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
The Frith family, of Bernardsville, N.J., take a photo together near Chastain Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides closed the popular tourist destination Bathtub Reef Beach nearby. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
People play in the ocean near Bathtub Reef Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides closed the popular tourist destination. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
People play in the ocean near Bathtub Reef Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides closed the popular tourist destination. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
People play in the ocean near Bathtub Reef Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides closed the popular tourist destination. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
People play in the ocean near Bathtub Reef Beach on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, on Hutchinson Island. Major erosion caused by waves, high winds and high tides closed the popular tourist destination. The beach has been closed since mid-November and is unlikely to reopen until May, after workers replace 185,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore shoals, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, Martin County coastal engineer.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
Stephen Zippy, 8, and his sister Bianca Zippy, 9 both of Stuart, rush out of the ocean after spotting a sea turtle Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
Stephen Zippy, 8, and his sister Bianca Zippy, 9 both of Stuart, rush out of the ocean after spotting a sea turtle Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
People pack the beach Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
People pack the beach Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM
People pack the beach Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
People pack the beach Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Stuart Beach. During winter months, Martin County beaches are mostly attended by tourists and seasonal residents, with peak attendance hitting in March and April, when a mix of locals and tourists pack the shoreline, according to Martin County Parks and Recreation director Kevin Abbate.
LEAH VOSS/TCPALM