Exploring wildlife refuges always feels a little bit magical to me. Each one has its own personality, and here in Florida—especially in March—they come alive with migratory birds passing through.

As an amateur birder, this has been so much fun lately.

We recently explored the northern section of Merritt Island, and wow… this place is something special. Spanning over 140,000 acres, it’s home to more than 400 bird species on its official list—including some pretty rare ones.

Even more surreal? It sits right next to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It’s such a uniquely Florida experience—spotting wildlife one minute and thinking about space launches the next. If you’re planning a visit before the upcoming Artemis II mission, check their website to be sure the area you want to visit isn’t closed for security reasons.

There’s so much to explore here—walking trails, beaches, a scenic wildlife drive, canals, and a visitor center. If you love birds (or even just kind of love them), I’d absolutely add this to your bucket list.

Let’s get into the details…

Find it: Google | Apple

Admission: $10 per car (daily pass)
(There are several pass options, so it’s worth checking the website for details.)

This 7-mile, one-way gravel road is one of those slow-down-and-soak-it-in experiences. It takes about an hour to drive through—but you’ll may want to take longer.

We visited in early March, just after a February cold snap, so a lot of the leaves had turned brown. But honestly? I think it made my photos remarkably striking.

On our way in, we spotted a few roseate spoonbills (always a favorite), and along the drive we saw egrets, herons, and all kinds of migrating water birds—including American avocets, that winter here before heading northwest.

And yes… alligators.

We saw a few, mostly toward the end of the drive. Keep an eye along the embankments—that’s where they like to hang out—but we also caught a couple gliding through the water, which never stops being a little thrilling.

If you want the best chance to see wildlife, early morning or late afternoon (Fall and Spring) is ideal. We went mid-day and still saw plenty, which tells you how active this place really is.

There are also bobcats and river otters here… though those would be a lucky sighting!

This spot has such an interesting history. The name comes from the days when Native Americans, explorers, and early settlers would literally “haul” their canoes across this narrow strip of land between Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River.

In 1852, a contractor named G.E. Hawes used slave labor to dig the first canal—14 feet wide and 3 feet deep. It was completed in time to be used during the Third Seminole War. For about 30 years, steamboats and cargo ships passed through here before railroads took over.

Today, the canal has a much gentler claim to fame: manatees.

When we stopped, there were at least two—maybe three—in the water. The trick is to look for their “footprints”—those smooth, swirling circles on the surface where they’ve just moved. Once you spot one, keep watching… you might catch the curve of a back or a little nose popping up for air.

It’s one of those moments that feels really special when it happens.

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This short, quarter-mile loop behind the visitor center feels like stepping into a tiny tropical world.

It winds around two freshwater ponds, with lush greenery that makes you feel like you’ve wandered into a jungle. If you look closely, you might spot ospreys nesting above the water. There are also butterflies and plenty of birds drawn to the feeders nearby.

The Visitor Center itself is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it’s worth a stop. There’s a small gift shop (with some very tempting t-shirts), and the exhibits are great—especially if you’re visiting with kids or just want to understand more about the ecosystem you’re walking through.

Seeing alligators, manatees, and “new to me” birds never gets old.

Spring comes early in Florida, and there’s something so special about being able to experience this kind of wildlife almost effortlessly—just by showing up and paying attention.

It’s a little hard to believe we’ll be heading north soon, chasing spring all over again… but moments like this are exactly what I’ll be thinking about along the way.

‘til next week, happy exploring!
Kathleen