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Sebastian RiverThe Sebastian River is a three-prong system. The North Prong and South Prong share a common mouth into a wide bay that empties into the Indian River Lagoon. Aside from sharing a common mouth, the two natural prongs are distinct in character. The Sebastian River North Prong flows out of St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park. The intimate nature of the North Prong is a welcome contrast to the open expanse of Sebastian Bay. Vegetation changes from salt-water mangrove habitat to scrubby pine and oak flatwoods to freshwater marsh. The narrow stream meanders through dense vegetation with a wide variety of water birds. At its upper extreme, the North Prong is like a tunnel through vegetation. There are several choke points where paddlers must negotiate tree branches.From Dale Wimbrow Park, the Sebastian River South Prong starts out several hundred feet wide. The very steep north bank ranges from 5 to 15 feet high, with sandy fluffs that are all that remains of relic sand dunes along an ancient shoreline. As you paddle upstream, the waterway narrows considerably and vegetation changes dramatically as you leave brackish waters near the river’s mouth. Some parts of the waterway are covered over by trees, creating green tunnels. Numerous dead-end false channels await unwary paddlers. A compass and topographic maps are helpful for avoiding them. Directions: Both Prongs as well as Sebastian Bay can be reached from Dale Wimbrow Park on Roseland Rd. (CR 505). The park is accessed from either I-95 or US 1. Take the CR 512 exit (Exit 156) when coming by I-95. Drive east on CR 512 to Roseland Rd. Turn left on Roseland Rd. and follow it to the park, which is on the left. If coming by US 1, turn west on CR 505 at the town of Roseland (just north of the city of Sebastian) and drive to the park, which is on the right. Camping is available at nearby Donald McDonald Park. |
Pelican IslandPelican Island can be accessed via a 2.5.-mile paddle from the Wabasso Causeway. The waters around the island are shallow and clear; it is not uncommon to see dolphins frolicking and gentle manatees loafing. The area between Sebastian Inlet and Pelican Island is a nursery ground for juvenile green sea turtles. At the turn of the 20th century, the island became the last known nesting site for Brown Pelicans on Florida’s East Coast. Paul Kroegel, a German immigrant, defended the last pelican outpost and convinced President Teddy Roosevelt to declare the island a federal bird sanctuary. In 1903, President Roosevelt established Pelican Island as the first National Wildlife Refuge, using the tiny island to inspire the nation’s wildlife conservation movement. In spring and summer, hundreds of brown pelicans nest on the island, as well as endangered Wood Storks, several species of threatened wading birds, Anhingas, cormorants and American Oystercatchers.Directions: Launch from the east end of the Wabasso Cswy. From I-95 and CR 512 (Exit 156), go east 2.5 miles and turn right on CR 510, which goes through Wabasso and crosses the Indian River. Look for a boat ramp on the south side of the road, near the east end of the causeway. Launch from the boat ramp and then go under the relief bridge to head north. Caution: Like many similar nesting islands in the state, Pelican Island is protected and posted. Please stay offshore of the signs to avoid disturbing the birds. DO NOT go on the island.
772-562-3909 |
Oars and Paddles Park & the Grand CanalThis brand new facility is home to the Space Coast Crew Rowing Club (www.spacecoastcrew.org) and a popular area for non-motorized recreational activities. The nearby Grand Canal is a popular training location for Olympic and collegiate sculling teams. The four-mile long canal is bordered on the west of a long strip of spoil deposit, which is divided into three islands. The central island is a nature sanctuary known as Samson’s Island. Some of the area’s finest homes border parts of the Grand Canal. The Canal is a great place to paddle when it is too windy to paddle on the open waters of the lagoon. Access from the park to the Banana River is through Whiting Waterway. Te reach the Grand Canal, go north in dthe Banana River and under Mathers Bridge. Entrance to the Grand Canal is on the right a few hundred yards beyond Mathers Bridge. Watching sculling teams practice in the Grand Canal requires a boat, unless you’re lucky enough to view them leaving the park or passing under Mathers Bridge on their way to the Grand Canal. The best place for viewing collegiate sculling teams from land is from locations along Crane Creek in Downtown Melbourne.Directions: From I-95 or US 12 in Melbourne, go east on Eau Gallie Cswy. (SR 518). Just after crossing the bridge over the Indian River, turn left and proceed north on South Patrick Dr.. (SR 513) for .9-mile. Turn west on Banana River Dr.
321-255-4400 |
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