A beach visit can be as simple as two chairs, a bottle of water, and someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with. You can stay for a conversation, watch a few waves, and head home when you’re ready.
Along Hutchinson Island, it’s easy to think of the ocean as the backdrop to everything else. On your next visit, try giving one small part of that view your attention. The thin edge of foam. A reflection on wet sand. The way the colors change between the shallows and the horizon.
Follow one wave
Pick a wave a little way offshore and watch it approach. Where does the crest begin to curl? How far does the foam spread before the water draws back? You can watch from a comfortable spot on dry sand without stepping into the surf.
There’s a bit of science behind that familiar movement. NOAA explains that wind is the most common cause of ocean waves. Wind transfers energy to the water, and that energy travels across the surface. Knowing that gives you something new to notice in a view you may have seen hundreds of times.
Look a little closer at the sand
From a distance, sand can look like one solid color. Up close, you may notice different shades and grains. In NOAA’s conversation about the science of sand, marine biologist Matt Kendall explains how weathered rocks and biological material can contribute to sand. What you see depends on where you are.
Try looking at the sand where you’re already sitting. A phone camera can help you take a closer look without gathering anything to bring home. If children are with you, let them describe what they see first. Their answer might be much more interesting than “beige.”
Try three things to notice
Bring a small notebook, or use a note on your phone. Write down one color, one sound, and one moving detail. Sketch a line of foam if you feel like it. If you’re with someone, compare what caught your attention. There are no right answers and nothing to finish.
Choose a public access point that suits your day, check its current conditions and posted notices, and keep to designated paths. Leave plants, shells, and wildlife where you find them. A short visit is plenty; you don’t need to pack an entire beach day into the afternoon.
If Fort Pierce is convenient, our Pepper Park Beachside guide is a place to start planning. If you have been meaning to catch up with someone, a couple of chairs beside the water can be a lovely place to start.
Watch, listen, and try it
Watch: NOAA’s short video explaining ocean waves.
Listen: Digging into the Science of Sand, NOAA Ocean Podcast, July 31, 2023.
Do: Try the three things to notice activity on your next shore visit.
