BROCHURE copy written for Space Coast Office of Tourism

Doing what's natural on the Space Coast

            From kayaking around the pelican-filled mangrove trees of the Thousand Islands to hiking through the emerald-green hammocks of the Enchanted Forest, the Space Coast offers endless recreational opportunities for nature lovers.

Brevard County’s unique geography bridges temperate and tropic climate zones as well as fresh water and salt water environments so you’re just as apt to see a gopher tortoise as a sea turtle here. The area is a biologically diverse paradise for all those who take pleasure in outdoor pursuits.

Fishermen are often lured here year round because of our multitude of sport fishing sites. Numerous deep-sea charters run out of Port Canaveral for those seeking grouper, red snapper, king mackerel, mahi mahi and tuna. Inland fishing charters targeting bass, crappie and spotted sea trout hot spots are available as well. The Indian River Lagoon, Stick Marsh and other protected waters managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District feature popular fishing holes, and many visitors and locals take advantage of the Brevard’s causeway bridges and piers as well as Jetty Park at Port Canaveral.

Early summer brings sea turtle nesting season in and around the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, allowing Brevard visitors the opportunity to join a Space Coast Sea Turtle Society tour and watch a loggerhead, green sea turtle or leatherback laying her eggs.

The cooler months are especially good for birding here as migratory birds seek out the protection of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. But exquisite water birds - including the roseate spoonbill, the green blue heron, little green heron, snowy egret, brown pelican - and other wildlife, such as alligators, can be seen at the refuge year round. Manatees favor the warm waters of Haulover Canal during the winter months and can often be seen from the observation deck there.

The refuge is also a great place for hiking, kayaking and canoeing, and features educational displays and maps at its visitor center. Because of the refuge’s proximity to the Canaveral National Seashore, visitors may opt to take a dip in the ocean after a touring the refuge.

While the refuge is the most famous of Brevard’s protected areas, the Space Coast is host to a number of other sanctuaries, including the Enchanted Forest in Titusville and Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay. Both offer hiking and guided tours. The Enchanted Forest features a large interpretive center and Turkey Creek is excellent for kayaking or canoeing.

Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary on Merritt Island offers no guides or interpretive center, but is well worth a visit because of its excellent hiking and canoe trails. Mountain bike fans will find the winding Ulumay trails both challenging and exciting.

The Florida Tech Botanical Garden in Melbourne features more than 200 species of common and rare palms from all over the world. The campus library keeps copies of the Botanical Garden Plant Guide and Nature Trail map for garden visitors. The garden includes a reflecting pool, waterfall and running brook as well as Melbourne’s first schoolhouse.

An easy and enjoyable way to see Brevard’s diverse wildlife in a short amount time is to take an eco-tour on a pontoon boat or an airboat. Space Coast Nature Tours in Titusville shows off manatee, dolphin and water birds in the Indian River adjacent to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Space Coast River Tours features the flora and fauna of Port Canaveral, the Barge Canal and Sykes Creek. Island Boat Lines takes visitors to Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands area of the Banana River with its mangrove islands that attract numerous birds.

Grasshopper Eco-tours, Adventure Airboat Tours and others show off the wildlife above and along the waters of the St. Johns via airboat. Lone Cabbage Fish Camp offers airboat tours as well as a restaurant and deck with a waterfront view on the St. Johns River. There’s something about eating fried alligator and then seeing alligators sunning themselves on the riverbanks.

Because fresh air and exercise is apt to make visitors hungry, there are plenty of casual dining restaurants in Brevard that cater to nature lovers. Dixie Crossroads in Titusville is renown for its fresh fish and rock shrimp. Other casual dining choices include Normans in Cocoa Village, Grills at Port Canaveral and Bonefish Willies in Melbourne.

For those who like to enjoy nature but wish to stay close to plenty of amenities, there’s the Brevard Zoo. In addition to viewing exotic species in natural settings the zoo offers guided kayaking tours that enlighten guests about Brevard’s ecosystems. The nationally recognized zoo features a viewing deck that allows visitors to get up close and personal with the giraffes. You won’t believe the size of their eyelashes!