Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Bio Lab

Mosquito Lagoon offers paddlers and boaters excellent access through multiple launch points within Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard County. The Beacon 42 Boat Ramp & Kayak Launch on the refuge's east side provides dedicated access to the lagoon and Indian River system. Several other launch points are available throughout the refuge, including Bairs Cove, Bio Lab Road, WSEG Boat Ramp, and access along Shiloh Marsh Road and NW Haulover Canal, offering flexibility depending on your preferred paddling route.

A Refuge Daily Pass is required to access most launch facilities and is available on an honor system at each ramp (cash or check only). Parking fees apply at some locations, including a $10 fee at Beacon 42. The waters are tidal, so plan your paddling around tide conditions. This is a protected wildlife refuge, so observe all regulations regarding wildlife and habitat protection.

The refuge provides excellent opportunities to explore Florida's diverse estuarine ecosystem, with chances to spot bald eagles, manatees, alligators, and numerous wading birds. Visit the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (1987 Scrub Jay Way, Titusville) for maps, current conditions, and pass information before launching.

Canaveral National Seashore is located midway along Florida's east coast where warm waters and a temperate climate meet to host species as diverse as bald eagles and alligators or bromeliads and mangroves. The national seashore was designated in 1975 to preserve and protect this special area. Visitors to the seashore will discover its rich and diverse history, from its fertile estuaries once...

Canaveral National Seashore is located midway along Florida's east coast where warm waters and a temperate climate meet to host species as diverse as bald eagles and alligators or bromeliads and mangroves. The national seashore was designated in 1975 to preserve and protect this special area. Visitors to the seashore will discover its rich and diverse history, from its fertile estuaries once supporting Timucuan Indian populations to the area's first orange groves in the 1830s. Today, Canaveral National Seashore offers an inviting place to relax along the shores of the Atlantic, fish in an open lagoon, enjoy a self-guided hike, watch for wildlife like the West Indian manatee or even participate in a guided sea turtle tour.

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