New “Living shoreline” to stem erosion, improve navigation at Sebastian Inlet’s Coconut Point

The image shows a close-up of gray concrete structures with hexagonal patterns, possibly part of a drainage or landscaping design.
A close-up of the honeycomb design of the reef arch.
The image shows stacked concrete blocks with a honeycomb design, parked vehicles nearby, and a waterfront view in the background.
Reef arches ready for installation.
Workers in safety gear are installing concrete structures in shallow water, likely for environmental restoration or marine habitat.
Reef Arches, Inc., installs the structures at Coconut Point.
Workers in safety gear are installing a concrete structure in shallow water, surrounded by mangroves, using a crane.
Reef arches at Coconut Point, located on the south side of the state park.
Two workers in safety gear are handling a large object in shallow water near vegetation, likely involved in a project or cleanup.
All of the reef arches were installed in one day.
A group of workers in safety gear are installing concrete structures in shallow water, likely for construction or environmental purposes.
Reef arch installation at Coconut Point.
The image shows a close-up of gray concrete structures with hexagonal patterns, possibly part of a drainage or landscaping design.
The image shows stacked concrete blocks with a honeycomb design, parked vehicles nearby, and a waterfront view in the background.
Workers in safety gear are installing concrete structures in shallow water, likely for environmental restoration or marine habitat.
Workers in safety gear are installing a concrete structure in shallow water, surrounded by mangroves, using a crane.
Two workers in safety gear are handling a large object in shallow water near vegetation, likely involved in a project or cleanup.
A group of workers in safety gear are installing concrete structures in shallow water, likely for construction or environmental purposes.

 

A newly installed “living shoreline”  is anticipated to help reduce erosion along the south side of Coconut Point at Sebastian Inlet State Park while improving the marine habitat diversity along  the shoreline.

In On September 10, Reef Arches, LLC, installed 22 reef arch structures along approximately 200 feet of eroded shoreline at Coconut Point, a finger of land on the south side of Sebastian Inlet State Park. Reef arches are prefabricated, honeycomb-shaped modular units used for coastal protection and marine habitat restoration.

Living shorelines offer a resilient alternative to hardened structures like seawalls by absorbing wave energy, filtering pollutants, and naturally adapting to sea-level rise while restoring vital ecosystems for local fish and wildlife.

Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA), a Vero Beach-based environmental nonprofit organization, is using volunteer citizen scientists to help monitor the project for at least three years. ORCA has already begun training the volunteers in anticipation of the plantings and reef installations.

“We’re seeing accelerated erosion of natural shorelines in the Indian River Lagoon, which leads to habitat loss as well as water quality deterioration among other things,” says Natalie Stephens, an ORCA research associate. “We utilize our citizen scientists to really look at what is happening over time and how a project is improving the shoreline.”

The project is in partnership with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) the Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc. (ORCA), and Sebastian Inlet State Park, and aims to improve shoreline resilience and reduce erosion and sediment accumulation near the park.

The project is funded through a $95,000 state cost-share grant, with in-kind matches provided by the District, Reef Arches and MANG , a foundation raising awareness about the critical role that mangroves play in supporting healthy coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Udpated on September 18, 2026