The Barrier Island, Explained
Where the Vero Beach barrier island is, what the 32963 ZIP code covers, which town governs each part, the three bridges, and the North, Central and South Beach areas.
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.
Which Town Is the Island In?
The island is split among four jurisdictions: the City of Vero Beach, which covers the Central Beach village and much of South Beach; the Town of Indian River Shores; the Town of Orchid; and unincorporated Indian River County. Parts of the south island, including Round Island Park, are unincorporated county land. Each runs its own zoning and services, so rules on building height, beaches and pets depend on the address.
How Do You Get to the Island?
Three bridges connect the island to the mainland: Wabasso (CR 510) in the north, Merrill Barber (Beachland Boulevard) in the center and 17th Street in the south.
| Bridge | Serves | Best for | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabasso (CR 510) | North island | North island and Sebastian | Rarely congested |
| Merrill Barber (Beachland) | Central island | Village and downtown | 8–9 a.m., 4:30–6 p.m. in season |
| 17th Street | South island | South county, medical center | School pickup hours |
What Are North, Central and South Beach?
North Beach
North of the Disney resort, A1A gets quieter and the island turns to large master-planned communities, many of them guard-gated, built around golf, racquet sports and private beach clubs.
Central Beach
Central Beach is the island's village. Its alphabetical flower and tree streets, from Acacia to Banyan to Cypress, sit within walking, biking or golf cart distance of Ocean Drive, the beach, Riverside Park and the island's cultural venues.
South Beach
South of the 17th Street Causeway, the island settles into quiet residential streets and established planned communities, close enough to bike to Central Beach but calm enough to feel removed from it.
How Tall Can Buildings Be?
Height limits depend on the jurisdiction; the City of Vero Beach caps buildings at 35 feet under its City Charter. Read the full answer in Island History.