Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Beacon 42

Beacon 42 provides convenient access to Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River from the east side of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The facility features a large dirt parking lot with capacity for approximately two dozen vehicles with trailers and is open for nighttime launching. A **Refuge Pass is required to launch here**—passes can be purchased at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (1987 Scrub Jay Way, Titusville, FL).

This location is ideal for paddlers and boaters exploring the shallow, brackish waters of Mosquito Lagoon or venturing into the Indian River. The area is part of a diverse ecosystem hosting wildlife ranging from manatees to bald eagles. Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day from boats in the surrounding waters. Water conditions are tidal, so plan your trip accordingly. For more information or to reserve services, contact 386-428-3384 or visit the nearby visitor centers for maps and refuge updates.

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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