Feb 17-20, 2012
 

You can't quote me on this but... I've been told there are some good fishing areas in the "flats" on the East side of the ICW close by SL-2. There are also several other Spoil Islands to explore, stary nights to enjoy and good clean sailing all around.  I can't predict the weather but I can tell you I had a really good last time I was there.
 
There are picnic tables, fire pits and plenty of available fire wood. Bring your own food, water and camping gear. I didn't have any problems with mosquitoes and I saw no evidence of raccoons. I felt safe to leave my tent and camping gear out every day and go sailing :). 
 
I plan on sailing out to SL-2 early Friday morning to stake out a spot for 4-5 tents. Camp sites are on a first come-first serve basis and it's a holiday weekend. There's other camp sites on the island but just in case, my "back-up plan" would be to go to IR-43 or IR-43 instead and then let everyone know before they leave Round Island. All 3 of these islands very close to each other and all are within a 45-60 min. sail after launching from the Canoe Launch area on Round Island.
 
It's OK for us to drive our trailers through the 10' opening in between the posts that lead down to the Canoe Launch area. This is a perfect spot for launching our boats due to the hard ground path down to the soft sand beach. (See pictures).
 
However we then must park our vehicles and trailers in the designated "boat trailer parking area" close by where there are only about 10 spots available. There's lots of other regular car parking though, so if all the boat trailer spots are taken when you get there, you may have to disconnect your trailers, lock them up and park them next to your cars.
 
No permit is required. You must call the Parks Dept. though at: 772-589-9223 prior to going and give them the following information:
 
1. What days your vehicle be parked overnight at the park?
2. Your vehicle description and Tag #.
 
Note: The park's gate is closed and locked at 9 pm every night. I think this is much safer than leaving your vehicle on the Causeway in Ft. Pierce and sailing North for many miles.
 
http://www.ircgov.com/departments/General_Services/Parks/Round_Island_Riverside_Park.htm
 
http://www.spoilislandproject.org/stlucie.htm
 
http://www.spoilislandproject.org/indianriver.htm
 
Anyone interested in joining us should call me for details. If you don't have a chart of this area I'll be happy to send you a copy showing the markers to follow from the Canoe Launch at Round Island out to the islands.