Manatee Cove Park — Attraction in Merritt Island

Check out my video of the dolphins playin on youtube! This place is amazing! My coworker and I went kayaking here. We stopped at an island close by and met some locals who were camping. They had also bagged trash to take back with them and have us the rundown about the area. We then launched from the island and kayaked down the river, and had a very relaxing lunch in the kayak. On the way back the dolphins put on a show. They swam by the kayaks. It was amazing to see wild animals do their thing in the wild! We also seen jellyfish, a huge Manatee and a curious gator ( we left him alone and he have us the...

A large picnic pavilion, restroom facilities with soap, a playground under shade trees, and a kayak / SUP launch (I think). So, a nice spot for a family outing. = )

When the hubs and I launched out of Manatee Cove Park in 2014, the water level was noticeably higher. At that time, we saw a lot of manatees -- the most I've ever seen in one spot.

This time 'round? The water level was considerably lower, and I saw all of maybe a shore bird or two, in a patch that's normally covered by water. But, maybe things will change next season, if we get...

Manatee Cove Park regularly has manatees hanging out. Mullet jump around, too. It's a good place to see mangroves' roots reaching. As a premiere bull shark estuary, the Indian River Lagoon hosts up to 6ft bull sharks which may be seen as well. Manatees generally make their presence known with their nostrils, though during days with weather like on Valentine's Day, they group up and get rowdy. There's a boat landing and the site has commercial kayak tours for daytime fauna and nightime bioluminecent dino-flashlights...