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Latest update: August 2021

Canaveral National Seashore (North)...

Paddling at Mosquito Lagoon

Canaveral National Seashore is the longest pristine shoreline in Florida, extending 24 miles from Ponce Inlet to Titusville. Here we visit the North District, reached from New Smyrna Beach. There is much paddling available on Mosquito Lagoon (watch for motor boats) and winding through the islands of the national seashore - some are mangrove, others are oak and palm hammock. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Information here is subject to change due to storm damage, maintenance, or seashore regulations. Check for current conditions and closures

Paddling Map
Canaveral National Seashore (north)

Distance: Varies
Location: Volusia County (New Smyrna Beach)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Tidal: Yes
Launch points: Boat ramps inside the park entrance and at Beach Parking Lot 5; kayak/canoe launches inside the park entrance, behind the Visitor Center, at Lot 5 and along the Eldora/River Rd. Loop. (See map)
Nearby points of interest: New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Kennedy Space Center

Rentals/Outfitters/Tours:

JB's Fish Camp (rentals)

Support and Advocacy:

Friends of Canaveral

 Page Summary:

1. Paddling at Canaveral National Seashore (North)
   - Launches: Near the entrance station, Behind the Visitors Center, Beach Lot 5, Parking Lots 6-7
2. Paddling on Mosquito Lagoon
   - Wildlife
3. Apollo Beach
4. More About Canaveral National Seashore
5. More Information and Resources

Paddling at Canaveral National Seashore (North)... Comments and Photos

For paddling we like the north district (Volusia County) with its small islands and the like, in the south (Brevard County) Mosquito Lagoon gets bigger and more popular with fishermen. When paddling through the islands, it's easy to get lost so GPS and/or a good map is recommended. Watch the tides, at low tide it may be necessary to pull your kayak or canoe in some areas - and watch for oyster beds.

Launches

Near the entrance station

The boat ramp and kayak/canoe launch is just past the entrance station, across A1A from Beach Lot 1. Parking, restrooms, this also serves as launch to Shipyard Island (link below). No fee.

Kayak launch

Parking at kayak launch

Boat ramp

Restrooms, parking at boat ramp

Behind the Visitors Center

Parking, picnic, restrooms, dock/pier, gift shop, interpretative exhibits, vending machines. The launch is open to individuals - the kayaks/canoes seen at the launch are for registered campers only. Park fee applies.

To the launch

Launch open to the public

Visitor Center

Picnic

Pier

Beach Lot 5

Beach Lot 5 has parking, restrooms, beach access, boat ramp and kayak/canoe launch - easy on and off. From here the water is wider and more popular with fishermen. Park fee applies.

To launch and trailer parking

Launch at Lot 5

 

Parking, restrooms

Boardwalk to beach

Note the beach south of here is "clothing-optional."

Parking Lots 6-7

Along the Eldora/River Rd. loop, Lot 6 involves a 50-yard carry on a narrow path and a steep drop-off so Lot 7 is a better choice - easy on/easy off. Park fee applies.

Lot 7 - to launch, picnic

Lot 7 - launch

Lot 7 - parking

Lot 6 - path to launch

Lot 6 - launch

Paddling on Mosquito Lagoon

After paddling at Shipyard Island, we continued onto the upper section of Mosquito Lagoon, toward New Smyrna Beach, and then along the National Seashore pastTurtle Mound and the Visitor Center.

Wildlife

Wildlife include a large number of shore and wading birds (popular with birdwatchers), dolphin, manatee, turtles, snakes, and more - here are some we saw. We also saw some dolphin, but missed the photo. Fishing is abundant.

Apollo Beach

Apollo Beach runs along the ocean side. Access is from the 5 beach parking lots, with boardwaks crossing the dunes to the beach. Here we cross to the beach from Beach Lot 4. Few people this day - a beautiful slice of paradise!

Note: Visitors should be aware that the area south of Beach Lot 5 is a "clothing optional" beach.

More About Canaveral National Seashore

The North District is reached from New Smyrna Beach in Volusia Couty - continue south on A1A to the national seashore's north entrance. The road continues another 7 miles - there is no south exit, you have to return the same way. Some sites to visit are Turtle Mound which at 50 feet high is one of the tallest shell mounds on Florida's east coast, and the Eldora State House which is all that remains of the village of Eldora, an old fishing and agricultural center.

The South District is in Brevard County. To access this area, launch from Seminole Rest Park at Oak Hill or from Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (see link below). Playalinda Beach is at the southern tip of Canaveral National Seashore where Kennedy Space Center begins.

Wildlife include alligators, turtles, and crabs, and many fish. Birds include hawks, eagles, and osprey as well ibis and other water birds. The park protects 15 species of threatened or endangered animals. In Mosquito Lagoon, dolphins are a common sight. Camping is available, registration is required.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Paddling:

Shipyard Island (Canaveral National Seashore-north)
Merritt Island NWR (Canaveral National Seashore-south)
Callalisa Creek (New Smyrna Beach)
See FL East-Central Region for more paddling

Nearby Biking:

Biking at New Smyna Beach

Related Resources:

National Park Service - Canaveral National Seashore