Welcome to the Wild Side
Wildlife viewing on Florida’s Space Coast can be as easy as looking out your window. The diverse ecosystems that make up this Central Florida paradise are home to dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, alligators and hundreds of other species of birds, mammals and reptiles. If you’re looking for some wildlife, here are a few tips to help you plan a wild getaway.
Every year thousands of sea turtles return to the shores of the Space Coast to lay their eggs during Sea Turtle Nesting Season. Your chances of seeing them while you’re on a Space Coast spring or summer getaway are unfortunately slim, due to the nocturnal nature of their nesting habits. However, guided sea turtle walks provided by some incredible nonprofit organizations are a great way to safely and respectfully see these reptiles in action.
From spotting to nests and identifying tracks here’s everything you should know about sea turtles on the Space Coast!
Learn about Sea Turtles on the Space Coast
You can see dolphins every day of your Space Coast Vacation if you know where to look! Boat and kayak tours of the Indian River Lagoon are the perfect way to get up close and personal with these marine mammals. Booking morning or evening tours can increase your chances of seeing a dolphin or two as this is prime feeding time. However, if you prefer to enjoy a lunch in Port Canaveral or at any of the lagoon-front restaurants, seeing pod swim by is an extremely common occurrence.
All About Dolphins and Where to See Them on the Space Coast
Sea cows, sea potatoes, whatever you want to call them, manatees are an exciting sight to see on your Florida getaway. During the winter, these gentle giants love to cozy up in the canals of the Space Coast and are so much fun to spot. If seeing a manatee is on your Florida Bucket List, check out this page to learn everything you need to know about spotting manatees on your next getaway!
See Manatees on Florida's Space Coast
Florida’s Space Coast is a birders’ paradise. All winter long, birds of all feathers flock to our wetlands and marshes for warm weather and lots of food. Here you’ll find 38 stops on the Florida Birding Trail where you can spot scrub jays, flamingos, spoonbills and so many more. Top spots for birding include the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where you can get a glimpse of it all from coastal dune dwellers, and scrub hammock haunts. Bring your binoculars and enjoy their flight!
Top Spots for Bird Watching on the Space Coast
American Alligators are everywhere on the Space Coast. It’s important to understand that any body of water may contain one of these modern dinosaurs. So, please keep your distance and be aware of your surroundings. The safest and most thrilling way to experience an alligator encounter here in Florida is on an air boat ride of the Saint Johns River. Air Boats whisk you safely above the water in their preferred habitat where you’ll see them basking on the shore and swimming around the grasses. Keep your eyes peeled when walking along canals and make sure to fish from piers in areas where you’re unfamiliar with the local wildlife.
If you happen to see an animal in distress while you’re on your Space Coast Vacation, please stay away from the animals and call in the professionals. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and Florida Wildlife Hospital are active in our community and are trained to handle hurt, sick or otherwise distressed animals. Here’s a quick guide to who you should call if you see an animal in need of assistance.
Love on our Local Wildlife Sea Turtles, Manatees, Pelicans, and Dolphins, OH MY! Florida’s Space Coast is home to so many species of animals. And there’s a very good chance you’ll encounter these creatures living their life in their natural habitats while you’re here on vacation. It’s important to not...
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