This area will give you an idea of what the Cape Canaveral area looked like when the Calusa inhabited it. The U.S. government established the refuge in 1963 as a buffer zone between the space center and urban areas. The refuge, which covers 140,000 acres/56,700 hectares, is beneath the Atlantic flyway, a migratory route for birds. More than 330 species, including the bald eagle, make their homes in its marshy lagoons at least part of the year. Several other endangered critters take shelter there as well, including West Indian manatees. Loggerhead sea turtles return to the beach every summer to lay their eggs at what is now the largest sea turtle nesting site in the U.S. Bobcats and alligators reside there, too. If you come across an alligator, do not feed it. Florida law forbids it, plus it could pose a danger to yourself and other visitors.
The refuge's visitors center offers displays of wildlife habitats, as well as a wealth of printed information, including books to purchase. A short boardwalk behind the center offers a quick look at the environment, but you also can take footpaths deeper into the marshes. Black Point Wildlife Drive is a 6-mi/10-km loop along which you can view shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl from your car. This is a good drive for alligator watchers. Look for them in the water or sunning on the banks. Open April-October Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm, Saturday 9 am-5 pm; November-March Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am-5 pm. The refuge closes the day before a launch. Merritt Island (north of the space center and east of Titusville), Titusville. Phone 321-861-0667. http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland.
