Ride the Waves Along Florida's East Coast

Motorboating on the Indian River Lagoon (FL) [1]

Grab swimsuits and sunscreen and head out for a great trip along Florida’s Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway, where the scenery is matched only by the perfect locations for splashing, sailing, surfing, and sun.

Underwater Manatee (FL) [2]

Launch into exhilaration on Merritt Island just south of Cape Canaveral on the byway. Name your favorite beach sport and you can probably do it somewhere on this island. From swimming, sailboarding and kite surfing on the surface to scuba diving and snorkeling below it, you’ll see Florida in a whole new way. Catamarans set sail from many parks on the island, and you can wend your through Manatee Cove on a non-motorized craft to view the wildlife. Rent a kayak or canoe from any local shop, or try one of the many airboat tours available in the area.

Kayakers at Cocoa Beach (FL) [3]

World-class beaches meet wide waters to the south at Cocoa Beach. Slip into a wetsuit and flee the resorts in a kayak or on a surfboard. Glide across the ocean on summer nights and marvel at the sea life glowing just below the surface. Spy wildlife from an airboat, get above it all while dangling from a parasail, or navigate further south to Palm Bay and watch boat crews prepare for their races. Race along the waves on your waterskis or surfboard, and perhaps a friendly dolphin or two will race along beside you. Sailboard or kite surf to combine wind and water for twice the fun, or swim, snorkel or scuba dive to explore the underwater world just offshore.

Making Waves on the Indian River Lagoon (FL) [4]

Love to surf? Go to Sebastian Inlet State Park at the southern end of the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway and surf the famous "Monster Hole" for a long, exciting ride. Or sign up to compete in one of the many tournaments and surfing competitions which attract thousands of surfers to the wide beaches and waves of the Atlantic Coast year-round. Contests for youth and young adults at the park have included the annual Billabong Jr. Pro Surf Contest around February or March each year, or the Southeast Open and Explorer events held along the coast by the National Scholastic Surfing Association each winter starting in September. If you're a pro, try one of many tournaments held annually, but if you hang ten on your days off, join the Doctors, Lawyers & Weekend Warriors Benefit Surf Contest in September.