Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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egrets, ibises, willets, sanderlings, turnstones, terns, and other birds. You might also
glimpse dolphins and manatees in Mosquito Lagoon. Canoeists can paddle along a
marked trail through the marshes of Shipyard Island, and backcountry camping is pos-
sible November through April (permits required; see below).
The main visitor center is at 7611 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
( & 321/867-4077, or 867-0677 for recorded information; www.nps.gov/cana), on
Apollo Beach, at the north end of the island. The southern access gate to the island is 8
miles east of Titusville on Florida 402, just east of Florida 3. A paved road leads from the
gate to undeveloped Playalinda Beach , one of Florida's most beautiful. Though
illegal, nude sunbathing has long been a tradition here (at least, for those willing to walk
a few miles to the more deserted areas). The beach has toilets, but no running water or
other amenities, so bring everything you'll need. The seashore is open daily from 6am to
8pm during daylight saving time, daily from 6am to 6pm during standard time. Entry
fees are $3 per person but are expected to rise to $7 per person. National Park Service
passports are accepted. Backcountry camping permits cost $10 for up to six people, $20
for seven or more, and must be obtained from the New Smyrna Beach visitor center. For
advance information, contact the seashore headquarters at 308 Julia St., Titusville, FL
32796 ( & 321/867-4077 or 321/267-1110; www.nps.gov/cana).
Canaveral National Seashore's neighbor to the south and west is the 140,000-acre
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge , home to hundreds of species of shore-
birds, waterfowl, reptiles, alligators, and mammals, many of them endangered. Pick up a
map and other information at the visitor center, on Florida 402 about 4 miles east of
Titusville (it's on the way to Playalinda Beach). The center has a quarter-mile boardwalk
along the edge of the marsh. Displays show the animals you may spot from 6-mile Black
Point Wildlife Drive or from one of the nature trails through the hammocks and
marshes. The visitor center is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm, Sat-
urday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm (closed Sun Apr-Oct). Entry is free. For more
information and a schedule of programs, contact the refuge at P.O. Box 6504, Titusville,
FL 32782 ( & 321/861-0667; www.nbbd.com/godo/minwr).
Note: Those parts of the national seashore near the Kennedy Space Center and all of
the refuge close 4 days before a shuttle launch and usually reopen the day after a
launch.
Another good beach area is Lori Wilson Park, on Atlantic Avenue at Antigua Drive
in Cocoa Beach ( & 321/868-1123 ), which preserves a stretch of sand backed by a forest
of live oaks. It's home to a small but interesting nature center, and restrooms are available.
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset; the nature center, Monday through Friday
from 1 to 4pm.
The beach at Cocoa Beach Pier, on Meade Avenue east of Florida A1A ( & 321/783-
7549 ), is a popular spot with surfers, who consider it the East Coast's surfing capital. The
rustic pier was built in 1962 and has 842 feet of fishing, shopping, and dining overlook-
ing a wide, sandy beach (see “Where to Dine,” below). Because this is not a public park,
there are no restrooms other than the ones in restaurants on the pier.
Jetty Park, 400 E. Jetty Rd., at the south entry to Port Canaveral ( & 321/783-7111;
www.jettypark.org), has lifeguards, a fishing pier with bait shop, a playground, volleyball
court, horseshoe pit, picnic tables, a snack bar, grocery store, restrooms, changing facili-
ties, and the area's only campground. From here, you can watch the big cruise ships as
they enter and leave the port's narrow passage. The park is open daily from 7am to 10pm;
the pier is open 24 hours for fishing. Admission is $7 per car, $15 per RV. The 150 tent
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