Space Coast Wildlife FAQ — Turtles, Dolphins, Manatees & More

Sea turtle nesting season runs from May through October. Loggerhead sea turtles are by far the most common species and Brevard County beaches have one of the highest loggerhead nesting densities in the Western Hemisphere. Peak nesting is June and July. Hatching begins in August and runs through October. Nests are staked and marked by Sea Turtle Preservation Society volunteers who walk the beaches every morning at dawn. The nests are easy to spot by the orange caution tape surrounding the stake markers.

Yes, with the right approach. Watching from a respectful distance is permitted and encouraged. Never use white light near the beach at night during nesting season — sea turtles and hatchlings navigate by natural light and white light disorients them fatally. Red-light flashlights only. Never touch a turtle, nest, or hatchling. The Sea Turtle Preservation Society conducts public turtle walks from June through July — these guided programs are the best way to experience nesting up close with expert narration.

Yes, year-round. Bottlenose dolphins are resident in the Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral area and are regularly visible from shore. They work the surf zone early in the morning — typically between 7 and 10am — driving baitfish into the breaking waves and feeding in the shallow water. Stand at the waterline and look for dorsal fins in the second or third wave. Polarized sunglasses eliminate surface glare and make them much easier to spot.

The Banana River west of Cocoa Beach is one of the most reliable manatee viewing areas in Florida. Manatees are present year-round but concentrate in the Banana River in winter when water temperatures drop and they seek warm water near power plant outflows. Ramp Road Park on Banana River Drive has a boat ramp area with clear views of the channel where manatees surface regularly. Guided kayak tours on the Banana River have very high encounter rates because guides know where the animals concentrate.

Bioluminescence in the Banana River is caused by single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates that emit blue-green light when disturbed by movement. The Banana River has among the highest concentrations of bioluminescent dinoflagellates in the world — a fact confirmed by scientific research. Every paddle stroke, every movement through the water glows. Fish leave luminous trails. The experience is available from June through September, with peak intensity in July and August on moonless nights. Multiple tour operators run guided kayak tours specifically for bioluminescence viewing.

Yes, in the freshwater and brackish waterways of Merritt Island and the surrounding area — not on the ocean beach. The Banana River, the Indian River Lagoon, and the freshwater ponds throughout Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge all have alligator populations. They are wild animals and should be observed from a safe distance and never fed. On the ocean beach itself you will not encounter alligators.

Brown pelicans are the signature bird of the Cocoa Beach shoreline and are visible constantly, diving dramatically for fish in the surf zone. Frigatebirds — enormous prehistoric-looking birds with seven-foot wingspans — soar overhead in warm months. Royal terns, laughing gulls, sanderlings and ruddy turnstones work the waterline. Osprey nest on channel markers in the harbor. Bald eagles are seen regularly over the Banana River. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, adjacent to Kennedy Space Center, records over 330 bird species and is one of the premier birding destinations in the eastern United States.

Yes. The dinoflagellates that cause the bioluminescence are completely harmless to humans. Swimming through bioluminescent water is a popular activity and leaves your skin temporarily glowing blue-green. It washes off with fresh water. The experience of swimming through glowing water at night is one of the most unusual things available to visitors in Florida.

Yes. The bridges crossing the Banana River are elevated enough to see manatees from above on calm mornings. Shore access points at Ramp Road Park on the Banana River have clear views of the channel. On calm winter mornings when manatee aggregations are largest, multiple animals are sometimes visible simultaneously from a single shore position. Polarized sunglasses help enormously in spotting animals below the surface.

The most common wildlife hazard at Cocoa Beach is the jellyfish and stingray situation described in the beach FAQ. In the inland waterways, alligators are present and should be given space. Never approach, feed, or attempt to handle any wildlife — this applies to sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and all other species. All of these animals are protected under federal and Florida law and disturbing them carries serious penalties.