Central – Section 3.4: Space Coast to Treasure Coast: Coastal Biodiversity
Families can get up close to real spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center, where the wonders of space exploration launch imaginations into orbit. Photo courtesy of Roundhouse Creative.
The area of Central Florida’s Atlantic side known as the “Space Coast” may be famous for the Kennedy Space Center, but the Stone Age exists alongside the Space Age here, with sea turtles lumbering ashore along Canaveral National Seashore just north of the center, the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in Florida.
Young explorers discover the stars at Kennedy Space Center, where interactive exhibits bring the galaxy closer to home. Photo courtesy of Roundhouse Creative.
More encounters with nature await in the Indian River Lagoon, which stretches for 156 miles from Volusia County to Palm Beach County and has earned another superlative as one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America. But when the sun sets, the bioluminescent creatures come out, and you’ll see these tiny organisms on a night kayak tour.
Glide through glowing waters on a night kayak tour—an unforgettable way to experience Florida’s wilder side after dark. Photo courtesy of Emergent Media.
Set where the St. Sebastian River meets the Indian River, Sebastian is a quaint fishing village offering views of the lagoon as well as natural areas like Sebastian Inlet State Park—home to abundant wildlife—and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, where visitors can view endangered wood storks, egrets, herons, and a variety of sea turtles.
Tranquil waters reflect the beauty of the St. Sebastian River, where lush landscapes and abundant wildlife define this peaceful coastal escape. Photo courtesy of Florida DEP.
Sebastian is also home to the ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary, helping people reconnect with the land via a regenerative program of wellness and immersion in the surrounding natural environment. Set on 40 acres of wetlands across from the St. Sebastian River Preserve, ChoZen’s retreats include curated workshops, personalized treatments, nature-inspired accommodations and nourishing Ayurvedic meals.
Shaded boardwalks wind through the lush landscapes of De Leon Springs State Park, inviting visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in Volusia County’s natural beauty. Photo courtesy of Interpret Studios.
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