Real Estate Education
How Big Is Hutchinson Island? Size, Map, and What's on the Barrier Island
July 5, 2026 · 8 min read · By Pure Equity Realty
Hutchinson Island is one of the Treasure Coast's largest barrier islands, running roughly 22 to 23 miles across Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. Here is exactly how big it is and what sits on it.
How big is Hutchinson Island? The short answer is that it runs roughly 22 to 23 miles from end to end, making it one of the largest barrier islands on Florida's Treasure Coast. It is also narrow, often just a few hundred yards to about a half-mile wide, and it stretches across parts of three counties. Pure Equity Realty works the Treasure Coast market every day, so here is a clear picture of the island's size, layout, and what you will find along it.
Key takeaways
- Hutchinson Island is roughly 22 to 23 miles long and a narrow barrier island, generally a few hundred yards to about a half-mile wide.
- It spans Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, with the Atlantic on the east and the Indian River Lagoon (Intracoastal Waterway) on the west.
- The Fort Pierce Inlet splits it into North and South Hutchinson Island; the St. Lucie Inlet bounds the south end.
- Communities include Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, the Stuart beaches, and Sailfish Point; the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant also sits on the island.
How big is Hutchinson Island, exactly?
Sources put the length of Hutchinson Island at about 22 to 23 miles. State Road A1A runs most of the island's length and exits roughly 22 miles north of the Stuart beaches, which is the figure most often cited for the island itself. You will occasionally see a larger number quoted, around 28 miles, but that appears to describe the broader barrier chain rather than Hutchinson Island proper, so 22 to 23 miles is the more accurate answer for the island as it is usually defined.
Width is the other half of the story. Like most barrier islands, Hutchinson Island is thin, ranging from a few hundred yards to about a half-mile across in most places. That narrow shape is why so many properties here sit within a short walk of either the ocean or the lagoon, and in a few spots reach from water to water.
Which counties does it cross?
Hutchinson Island is really made up of two barrier islands stretching along the coast of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. The southern portion, roughly a third of the island, lies in Martin County near Stuart. The larger central and northern stretch sits in St. Lucie County around Fort Pierce, and the island continues north into Indian River County. Along its entire length, the Atlantic Ocean borders the east side and the Indian River Lagoon, part of the Intracoastal Waterway, separates it from the mainland to the west.
North Hutchinson Island, South Hutchinson Island, and Orchid Island
The naming trips people up, so it is worth sorting out. The Fort Pierce Inlet cuts through the island and divides it into two sections known as North Hutchinson Island and South Hutchinson Island. To add one more wrinkle, in 1985 Indian River County renamed its portion of the northern island "Orchid Island" to distinguish it from development on the St. Lucie County side, so you will see North Hutchinson Island and Orchid Island used for overlapping stretches of the northern segment. At the very south end, the St. Lucie Inlet closes off the island near Stuart.
What is on the island
For its size, Hutchinson Island holds a lot of variety. Fort Pierce anchors the South Hutchinson area with public beaches and the Fort Pierce Inlet. Jensen Beach and the Stuart beaches fill in the Martin County end with a mix of condos, oceanfront homes, and small beach neighborhoods. Sailfish Point, a gated community at the southern tip near the St. Lucie Inlet, is one of the island's best-known luxury addresses. The island also hosts the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, a Florida Power and Light station a few miles southeast of Fort Pierce that has operated here since the late 1970s.
Living on Hutchinson Island
A long, narrow barrier island means a specific kind of real estate. Inventory leans toward oceanfront and lagoon-front condos, beach houses, and a handful of gated communities, with values driven by water access, views, and how close a property sits to an inlet. If you are weighing the barrier island against the mainland, our guides to living in Stuart and Port St. Lucie lay out the tradeoffs, and you can browse waterfront homes across the region. For a look at another well-known Palm Beach County coastal town to the south, see our guide to where Juno Beach is.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Hutchinson Island?
Hutchinson Island is about 22 to 23 miles long, one of the larger barrier islands on the Treasure Coast. A larger 28-mile figure sometimes appears but generally refers to the broader barrier chain rather than the island itself.
What counties is Hutchinson Island in?
It spans Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. The southern end is in Martin County near Stuart, the central and northern stretch is in St. Lucie County around Fort Pierce, and it continues north into Indian River County.
What is the difference between North and South Hutchinson Island?
The Fort Pierce Inlet divides the island into two sections. South of the inlet is South Hutchinson Island, and north of it is North Hutchinson Island. Indian River County renamed its portion of the northern island "Orchid Island" in 1985.
Is there a power plant on Hutchinson Island?
Yes. The St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Florida Power and Light, sits on the island a few miles southeast of Fort Pierce and has run since the late 1970s.
Curious about beach life on the Treasure Coast? Pure Equity Realty can help you compare Hutchinson Island condos and beach homes against mainland Stuart and Jensen Beach. Talk to our team or start with our waterfront homes collection.
