PORT SALERNO, FLORIDA.

PORT SALERNO, FLORIDA.

Coordinates: 27.1442 N  80.1917 W

For some reasons, we always end up in Port Salerno. Believe me, it's always a pleasure to return there. Our first visit, was on January 24th, to participate to it's 9th annual Seafood Festival. Not at all typical from what we are accustomed to see in Atlantic Canada. Port Salerno is a fishing village of aprox. 10,000 people, located on the east coast of Florida, more specifically near the mouth of the St Lucie River and the Atlantic Ocean. The seafood festival, is an annual event, initiated by the local fisherman and their families to benefit the community and support non-profit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, local schools, the Humane Society, just to name a few and the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup program. This is a one day event only, that brings over 35,000 people to the only waterfront seafood festival on the beautiful Treasure Coast of Florida. It is the local fishermen of Port Salerno, and their families  that catch, clean, cook and serve most of the seafood. I read, that this event first started off, as a fish fry party at the local docks. Then, it was in an effort to bring positive awareness of the local commercial fishing industry, that the yearly fish fry, turned into this amazing seafood tasting festival, bringing in hundreds of vendors, live music and activities. 

We spent that afternoon exploring, taking in some live music, enjoying a little beer and sampling some of these great seafood dishes, like fried calamari, crab cake, conch fritters (JP's favourite), crispy crab balls, and for the more daring,  shark bites, gator bites and grilled dolphin. 

Since then, we just seem to be returning, not only by car, but also by boat, where you can dock and enjoy an awesome meal and refreshments at one of the local waterfront restaurants. As for the men, a little fishing is also called for, after fuelling and stocking up on bait.

Port Salerno's Commercial Dock Authority, offers many services such as a marina/ dry stack, commercial fishing, fish/bait shops, fish cleaning stations, recreational fishing and boating, charter fishing and kayaking. The public also has access to the docks, warfs, beach, park and boardwalks. 

I have posted a series of photos taken at different days and occasions. Some was taken from the Sansprit Park, some from the docks and some was taken right from the water. 

I also tried to showcase my photos in sequence, during and after the seafood festival. 

Enjoy!