What to do in 772 this summer: surf, snorkel, kayak, mountain bike, skateboard, bowling

Do you know what to do in 772 this summer?

The summertime on the Treasure Coast is perfect for learning how to surf at the beach, snorkeling around shipwrecks offshore, kayaking or paddleboarding the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River, mountain biking different trails, skateboarding at parks, bowling in the air-conditioning, playing tennis or golf in the heat, and drinking a cold craft beer from a local brewery.

Here are the best things to do this summer in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

Surfing

Florida isn’t a world-renowned surfing destination like Hawaii, Australia or California, but it’s the perfect place for beginners. If you want to avoid crowded locations with experienced surfers at the Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce Inlet state parks, the Treasure Coast has at least six great spots for beginning surfers.

Surfing: Learn how to surf at 6 local spots for beginners this summer

Snorkeling

The sun is shining. The ocean is calm. The water is clear. It’s the perfect day to explore one of the best snorkeling spots on the Treasure Coast. Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties have great snorkeling spots to see sea life and to learn history, especially about the sunken ships from the 1715 treasure fleet that gave the region its name.

Snorkeling: Explore shipwrecks, reefs at best local snorkeling spots this summer

Kayaking

To the south, the only way to access the kayaking trail at the St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is by water. There’s the St. Lucie Inlet to the north, the lagoon to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the exclusive Jupiter Island to the south. To the north, Round Island Riverside Park is a popular kayaking and paddleboarding spot. Manatees often can be seen in coves around the small island, protected from the rest of the Indian River Lagoon.

St. Lucie Inlet: Discover kayaking trail, secluded beach at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

Round Island: Kayak, paddle, hike or fish at Round Island Riverside Park in Vero Beach

Mountain biking

How can there be mountain biking in flat Florida?

Mountain biking is popular locally and throughout the Sunshine State, especially on the 80-plus miles of trails at the Santos Trailhead in Ocala, home to the annual Fat Tire Festival.

Locally, Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Halpatiokee Regional Park are best for beginners before they step up to the Fort Pierce mountain bike trail.

Mountain biking: Here are the best Treasure Coast trails for each skill level

Skateboarding

The number of local skate parks is growing as the popularity of skateboarding has risen through the decades.

Martin County has four, Indian River County has two and St. Lucie County has one, for a total of seven skate parks on the Treasure Coast.

And each county has another one in the works.

Skateboarding: New skate parks in works for Stuart, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie

Bowling

Escape the Florida heat at one of the six local bowling alleys on the Treasure Coast. Did you know bowling has been traced to items found in the tomb of an Egyptian child buried in 5200 B.C.?

Bowling: Here's everything you need to know about 6 bowling alleys on Treasure Coast

Tennis

The Treasure Coast is home to at least 25 public tennis courts where people can play for free. Private courts either charge fees or require memberships.

Tennis: Here's where to play for free at public courts across the Treasure Coast

Golf

Golf venues like BigShots and Popstroke are great gateways to golf on the Treasure Coast, but take your game to the next level at local public golf courses.

Golf: Where to play 18 holes, putt-putt or practice at a driving range

Drinking

The Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail ties together 12 unique, local watering holes: nine breweries, a winery, a cidery and a meadery. More establishments are in the works too, including two liquor distilleries, both in Vero Beach. Also, over 25 waterfront restaurants in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties allow patrons to barhop by boat along the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River.

Drinking trail: Check off 12 breweries, winery, cidery, meadery on Treasure Coast

Distilleries: Treasure Coast's first 2 distilleries put area on tourism map

Barhopping by boat: Dock at these Treasure Coast waterfront restaurants for free

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: What to do in 772 this summer: surf, snorkel, kayak, mountain bike