Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Bairs Cove

Bairs Cove offers convenient access to Mosquito Lagoon, a shallow, brackish estuary rich with wildlife viewing opportunities. Located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Allenhurst in Brevard County, this launch site is ideal for kayakers and canoeists seeking a paddling experience in a protected natural area. The site is particularly notable for night launching—it's one of only two refuge ramps (along with Beacon 42) that permit nighttime boat launches, making it popular for evening wildlife tours and stargazing paddles.

**Access Requirements:** A Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Daily Pass is required to launch at Bairs Cove. Passes are available on an honor system (cash or check only) at the access site. For additional information or to purchase passes in advance, contact the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 1987 Scrub Jay Way, Titusville, FL, or call 386-428-3384. The area experiences tidal influences, so paddlers should plan accordingly and be aware of typical brackish water conditions.

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.

Read More Read Less