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Canaveral National Seashore – Shipyard Island Canoe TrailOutside Magazine described it as “one of the top 10 places to paddle in the U.S.” With plenty of parking, restrooms and a sandy beach, the boat ramp immediately past the north entrance of Canaveral National Seashore is a great place from which to launch into Mosquito Lagoon. The entrance to a marked canoe trail through Shipyard Island lies just to the west. You’ll paddle around and over oyster beds. You can stop on island with white, sandy beaches. Motorboats are unable to negotiate the shallow waters, leaving the islands virtually untouched. Wading birds, including Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks, shorebirds, Ospreys, Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, and in winter American White Pelicans may be seen. Bald Eagles are a good possibility. Look down in the water and you may see horseshow crabs, redfish, mullet and stingrays. The deeper waters between the boat launch and Shipyard Island are a good place to see manatees and bottle-nosed dolphins.Directions: To reach the north entrance of Canaveral National Seashore, take SR 44 east to A1Afrom I-95 or U.S. 1 in New Smyrna Beach. Go south approximately seven miles on A1A. Entrance fee. Limited backcountry camping in the Seashore is allowed on the beach. November 1 through April 30 and on designated island all year, by permit only.
321-267-1110 |
Canaveral NS – Eddy CreekAt the southern end of Canaveral National Seashore, Eddy Creek provides access to the southernmost portion of Mosquito Lagoon, just four miles from the Space Shuttle launch pads. Eddy Creek is actually the site of an ancient inlet; the barrier island is very narrow here. When ocean surf is high, the sound of waves crashing on the other side of undisturbed dunes is a pleasurable complement to the peaceful tranquility of the lagoon’s mangrove shorelines. Estuarine waters are usually crystal clear here, allowing great views of colorful sea grass beds and the marine life they support. Coastal birds are numerous and manatees, dolphins and alligators are commonly seen.Directions: From US 1 in Titusville, take SR 406 east. Approximately 2 miles out, the road divides. Stay to the right and continue east on SR 402. When you reach the Seashore, turn left and travel north to the Eddy Creek boat launch area. Entrance fee.
Riverbreeze ParkThis is the closest launch for access to dozens of islands that fill the waterway from Oak Hill northward to the New Smyrna Beach Causeway and beyond. From the boat ramp, paddle south to get around a large spoil island and into mangrove-lined backcountry waters. Low tide exposes mud flats and oyster bards that in fall, winter and spring attract a wide variety of wading birds and shorebirds; American Oystercatchers are fairly easy to find. Dolphins and manatees are commonly seen in the deeper waters of the intracoastal waterway. A compass is helpful as it is easy to become disoriented in the maze of waterway. This beautifully shaded park has bathrooms, pavilions and several boat ramps. Camping is permitted.Directions: Go north on US 1 two miles from the yellow caution light in Oak Hill. Look for a brown sign identifying the park. Go east to the park entrance on the left.
386-345-5525 |
Lake Monroe Conservation AreaProtecting more than six miles of Lake Monroe and St. Johns River shoreline, the Lake Monroe Conservation Area between Geneva and Sanford contains 90 percent of the floodplain area for Lake Monroe. Wetlands make up 94 percent of the conservation area. Predominant natural communities here are floodplain marsh/wet prairie and floodplain swamp/forest. Native Americans hunted and fished in this area, as evidenced by the number of shell middens found here. A five-mile paddle northward from Cameron Wight Park will cover Thornhill Lake and Brickyard Slough. Numerous wading birds and raptors can be expected. Alligators are common, and you may see deer and river otters.Directions: Launch from Seminole County’s Cameron Wright Park at SR 46 and the Lake Jesup Bridge. From I-95, go west on SR 46 for 21.1 miles. The park is on the northwest side of the bridge. Caution: Airboat traffic is heavy on the St.Johns River, especially on weekends. It is recommended that paddlers use a bright, tall warning flag on boats in order to be more visible above tall grasses. Take along a loud horn. The river supports a HUGE alligator population. Avoid paddling in this area during alligator mating season in springtime, and don’t bring small pets.
407-329-4404 |
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