Watching SpaceX & Cape Canaveral Launches from the Treasure Coast

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How far away is the Cape, and what will you actually see?

Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, Vulcan, Atlas V and New Glenn launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center, roughly 93–100 miles from Stuart, Jensen Beach and Hutchinson Island and about 105–110 miles from Hobe Sound and Indiantown (straight-line distances we calculated from the pad and town coordinates). By road it's closer to 120 miles.

At that distance the Earth's curvature hides the first mile or so of the climb, so you won't see liftoff itself. Watch the NNW horizon starting at the launch time. The rocket typically shows up as a bright point climbing out of the horizon within the first minute or two and stays low in the sky. It's silent; you won't hear the launch from here.

• Night launches: the easiest to spot, a bright moving star with a flickering flame. On a clear night you can often follow it for a few minutes, and sometimes see the stage separation.
• Twilight launches (roughly an hour before sunrise or after sunset): the best show. The ground is dark, but sunlight reaches the exhaust high up, so the plume glows and spreads into the famous "space jellyfish." Local TV covered one seen from Palm Beach County to the Treasure Coast (CBS12).
• Daytime launches: hard to see from 100 miles. Look for a small moving dot and a white contrail.

Which launches are worth stepping outside for?

• Twilight launches: drop everything.
• Clear night launches: well worth it, especially heavier rockets like Falcon Heavy, Vulcan and New Glenn.
• Southeast trajectories (some Starlink and polar missions) fly down the coast toward us, so they climb higher in our sky.
• Daytime and cloudy launches: watch the webcast instead.

Booster landings and sonic booms

When a Falcon booster lands back at the Cape, SpaceX's sonic boom advisories typically list Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties, not Martin County (example advisory). So most of the time you won't hear one here. It does happen occasionally, though: TCPalm reported a 2023 night landing boom that was heard in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties (TCPalm). Boosters that land on the drone ship far offshore don't produce booms on land. The touchdown itself happens below our horizon, so you won't see the landing from Martin County.

Where to watch in Martin County

You want a clear, low view to the north-northwest. These are public places with public parking, all in Martin County. Follow posted hours and rules (some beach parks close after dark), and never stop on a bridge or block traffic.

A note on Sewall's Point: it's mostly residential with little public parking, so we haven't listed a spot there. Please don't watch from private docks or yards without permission.

Tips for a better view

• Face NNW (about 345°). A phone compass helps. Then follow the rocket to the right if it's heading northeast, or toward you if it's heading southeast.
• Bring binoculars (7x50 or 10x50 are ideal), plus a chair and bug spray for the lagoon side.
• Pull up the webcast on your phone so you know when the engines light. Then start watching the horizon.
• Check the clouds on the NWS Stuart forecast. Low clouds to the north block the view even when it's clear overhead.
• Expect delays. Launches slip and scrub often. Check the schedule right before you leave the house.

Where to check the launch schedule

We don't list dates on this page because they change constantly. These are the live sources:

• SpaceX launches (official, with webcasts)
• NASA launch schedule
• Next Spaceflight and RocketLaunch.Live (all providers)
• Spaceflight Now launch schedule
• Florida Today space coverage
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex launches (if you want to drive up)

Away from your Martin County home?

We're a local home watch company, and we like a good launch as much as anyone. If you're a snowbird or second-home owner, we check homes across Stuart, Jensen Beach, Hutchinson Island, Hobe Sound and the rest of Martin County, with photo reports after every visit. Plans start at $89/month: see pricing. And if you'd like leak and A/C alerts on your phone while you're away, there's our Smart Protection Kit. No pressure; enjoy the show. 🚀

Frequently asked questions

Can you see SpaceX launches from Stuart, Florida?

Yes, on a clear day or night. Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center are about 95–100 miles north-northwest of Stuart in a straight line. You won't see liftoff, but the rocket rises above the horizon within the first minute or two.

Which direction do I look from Martin County?

North-northwest, about 345 degrees, toward Cape Canaveral. Then follow the rocket as it climbs and heads northeast, east or southeast.

What is the rocket launch 'jellyfish' effect?

During twilight launches, roughly an hour before sunrise or after sunset, the ground is dark but sunlight still reaches the rocket's exhaust high in the atmosphere. The glowing plume spreads into a jellyfish shape that can be seen for hundreds of miles.

Will I hear a sonic boom in Stuart?

Usually not. SpaceX sonic boom advisories for Cape landings typically list counties from Brevard to St. Lucie and Okeechobee, not Martin County. TCPalm did report one 2023 night landing boom heard in Martin County, so it's possible but uncommon.

Where are the best places to watch launches in Martin County?

Spots with an open view to the north-northwest and public parking: Stuart Beach, Jensen Beach Public Beach, Jensen Beach Causeway Park, Bathtub Reef Beach, the downtown Stuart riverfront by Flagler Park, and Hobe Sound Beach.

Are the launch alerts free?

Yes. The Treasure Coast Launch Alerts email list is free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. We'll email you before notable visible launches.

How accurate is the 'Can you see it from Stuart?' estimate?

It's approximate. It uses a generic ascent profile and a launch direction guessed from the orbit type, not the mission's actual trajectory, plus the sun's position at launch time. Always confirm on launch day.