The state of Florida is home to breathtaking features that attract people year round from all over the world. While a fair number of these are man-made (such as a certain magical amusement park and multiple world-class golf courses), Florida's natural wonders have been getting a lot of attention lately as well, especially in the southeastern region known as the Treasure Coast. Visiting a preserved or protected location to explore and conserve its flora and fauna is known as eco-tourism. These popular vacations have had a positive effect on real estate in the Treasure Coast, attracting property buyers and investors from all over the world.

The wonders of the Treasure Coast are abundant. St Lucie County, for instance, is practically surrounded by easily navigable waters, from the mangroves of the Indian River Lagoon to the north fork of the St. Lucie River. There are guided tour boats available to explore these areas, or you can rent your own kayak or canoe to embark upon your own sightseeing adventure. Either method presents a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the unique and endangered manatee or, if heading out into the ocean on a guided tour, to watch the dolphins in their native habitat.

Throughout this part of Florida, very large sections of land are considered ecologically important, and are being turned into nature preserves. In St. Lucie County alone, there are more than thirty of these preserves comprising more than eleven thousand acres, which contain over one hundred miles of useable trails. All of this gives visitors access to the area's unique mangrove marshes and forests, as well as opportunities for fishing, paddling, and wildlife observation.

It is no secret that the Treasure Coast area has taken a bit of a hit from the economic downturn. This has not stopped foreign investors, however, from swooping in and buying ocean front condos, at what can only be considered bargain prices. These buyers are, in fact, very likely counting on the possibility of a big rebound in housing values as the economy recovers. If everything that these buyers are envisioning comes to pass, they may in fact be making a most promising investment in Southern Florida.

Eco-tourism has long been an attraction to the Treasure Coast, but in conjunction with the low housing prices, it is continuing to present some great opportunities for visitors, residents, and investors in this breathtaking area.