Everything on the Barrier Island, in One Place.
Roughly 22 miles of Atlantic coastline reached by three bridges; the restaurants, neighborhoods, clubs, shops and shoreline that make up 32963. Written and kept current by people who live here.
What Makes Vero's Beachside so Special?
Beachside is the barrier island: a narrow strip of land with the Atlantic on one side and the Indian River Lagoon on the other, reached by three bridges. Every address on it carries the 32963 ZIP code. The island spans the City of Vero Beach's beachside, the Town of Indian River Shores, the Town of Orchid, and unincorporated Indian River County.
It is small on purpose. There is no high-rise skyline, no boardwalk arcade, and a 35-foot height limit through most of the island. What it does have: a walkable Ocean Drive village, private club communities, seven lifeguarded beach parks, and a dining scene that punches far above the population.
Written and reviewed by the Beachside Vero Editorial Team · Updated October 5, 2026
Guides to the Barrier Island
Barrier Island Neighborhoods
Riomar to Orchid, gated clubs, oceanfront enclaves, and in-town blocks you can walk from.
Dining on the Island
Ocean Drive standbys, seasonal reservations worth planning around, and where to go on a Monday.
Beaches & Recreation
Every public access point, lifeguard hours, boat ramps, golf, tennis and pickleball.
Shopping in the Village
The village boutiques, galleries and the practical errands you can still run without crossing a bridge.
Arts & Culture
Riverside Theatre, the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and the season calendar that runs November to April.
Island History
How a citrus town and a 1919 golf club became the island as it stands today.
Live Like a Local
Hurricane prep, the best time to hit the bridge, and the habits that mark you as a resident.
Island Real Estate
Open streets, gated enclaves, club communities and condominiums, and what to check before you buy.
Answers to the Questions Readers Actually Send Us.
Answers to the questions people ask most about the island, reviewed by our editors before publishing.
Do You Need a Club Membership to Live on the Island?
No. Four island communities require club membership as a condition of ownership: John's Island, Windsor, Orchid Island and Sea Oaks. Everywhere else, including Riomar, club membership is optional or not offered.
Where Is the Vero Beach Barrier Island?
The barrier island sits directly east of mainland Vero Beach in Indian River County, Florida, separated from it by the Indian River Lagoon. The 32963 ZIP code runs roughly 22 miles north to south along the island, which is reached by three bridges: Wabasso, Merrill Barber (Beachland Boulevard) and 17th Street.
Is Beachside Vero Beach the Same as 32963?
Yes. 32963 covers the barrier island and only the barrier island, so the ZIP code is a reliable shorthand for a beachside address. Mainland Vero Beach uses 32960, 32962, 32966, 32967 and 32968. If a listing shows any of those, it is not on the island.
Are the Beaches on the Island Public?
Most of the shoreline is fronted by private property, but public access points provide free entry to the beach along the island, seven with year-round lifeguards. Under Florida law the wet sand seaward of the mean high water line is public, so you can walk the full length of the beach as long as you enter at a public access point.
How Tall Can Buildings Be on the Barrier Island?
It depends on the jurisdiction. In the City of Vero Beach the limit is 35 feet, adopted into the zoning code in 1973 and written into the City Charter in 1989, so any increase requires a voter referendum. The Town of Indian River Shores has its own zoning code: single-family zones are generally capped at 35 feet, while multi-family zones allow up to 40 feet or three stories, which is why some oceanfront condominiums in the Shores stand slightly taller. Unincorporated Indian River County follows county zoning height caps. A few older buildings, such as The Village Spires, predate these rules and stand taller.
Treasure Coast Boating Guide
The Reynolds Team of Compass' 2026 Boating Guide covers the public boat ramps, marinas, yacht clubs and dock communities in Vero Beach, Sebastian and Hutchinson Island.
Beachside Vero is an editorial guide to the barrier island of Vero Beach, Florida, ZIP code 32963. We cover neighborhoods, dining, beaches, shopping, arts, history, and daily life on the island so that residents, prospective buyers, and visitors can make decisions with good information instead of guesswork.
This guide grows from the questions people actually ask. Every question submitted through the island assistant is logged, and when enough people ask about the same thing, that topic moves to the front of the editorial queue. The result is a guide built around what you need to know, not what we guessed you'd search for. Read more about the guide.