Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve

Florida’s coastal areas, especially uplands adjacent to water, often have a rich history of human settlement. Human activity within Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park dates back to the Archaic period, 10,500 B.P.-3,000 B.P. There are hundreds of historic or archaeological sites recorded in the Florida Master Site File within or immediately adjacent (i.e. within 50 m) to Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves, most of which are within the preserve's boundaries. The Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve contains more than 40 archeological sites, which demonstrate that the area has a wealth of prehistoric remnants of early Florida native peoples. These historic sites include Native American and European encampments and villages and shipwrecks, along with prehistoric shell kitchen middens

Consolidated and unconsolidated substrates make up the geology of Cape Haze. Consolidated substrates are mineral-based natural communities generally characterized as expansive, relatively open areas of subtidal, intertidal and supratidal zones that lack dense populations of sessile plant and animal species. Consolidated substrates are solidified rock or shell conglomerates and include coquina, lime rock or relic mollusk reef materials. These essential substrates form the foundation for the development of other marine and estuarine natural communities when environmental conditions become appropriate. Unconsolidated substrates differ from consolidated substrates as they consist of unsolidified materials and make up the majority of the unclassified submerged bottom areas within Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves. It is found not only in deeper waters such as channels but also in some of the shallowest and intertidal portions of the bay, where seagrasses are not found. The only mapped areas of unconsolidated substrate are tidal flats — areas of sand or mud that are unvegetated and cycle between being submerged and exposed with the change in tides.

Within Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves, including the Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve, seven natural communities have been identified: mangrove swamp, mollusk reef, salt marsh, continuous seagrass beds, discontinuous seagrass beds, unconsolidated substrate and unclassified submerged land. This complex ecosystem of estuarine waters, barrier islands, tidal wetlands, oyster reefs and bird rookeries support a diverse array of flora and fauna. Mollusk reefs, usually formed by eastern oysters, are perhaps the most impacted natural habitat type in Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves. These reefs, which provide essential fish habitat and help filter water, reduce turbidity and stabilize shorelines, have been significantly impacted by human activities such as dredging, mining, hydrologic changes and harvest.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve is considered Outstanding Florida Water which provides additional protection for water quality. It is designated as Class II, conditional for shellfish harvesting.

Invertebrate Animals
Tunicates, sea squirts, insects, crustaceans, shrimp, crabs, jellyfish, corals, hydroids, sea stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, segmented worms and sponges.

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Anhinga, black-crowned night heron, brown pelican, double-crested cormorants, great blue heron, great egret, green heron, little blue heron, reddish egret, snowy egret, tricolored heron, white ibis, yellow-crowned night heron, black skimmer, least tern, royal tern, sandwich tern, American oystercatcher, snowy plover, Wilson's plover and Eastern willet.

Mammals
Florida manatee and bottlenose dolphin.

Reptiles
American alligator, Atlantic loggerhead turtle, Atlantic green turtle, American crocodile, leatherback turtle, Atlantic hawksbill turtle and Kemp’s ridley turtle.

Fish
More than 200 species of fish can be found in Cape Haze, such as anchovies, jacks, snook, grunts, minnows, snappers, stingrays and sharks.

Other Species
Various algae and seagrass species including shoal grass, manatee grass and turtle grass.

Mangrove trees: Black, white and red mangroves.

A full list of species can be found in the management plan.

Year-round

Many local ecotour companies offer tours of the area.

Yes. Aquatic preserves often are adjacent to other conservation areas that may have nesting birds or other easily disturbed wildlife. Please do not let your pet run free in areas not designated for pets, and please pick up after your pet to avoid hazardous pathogens in our coastal waters. 

Follow current FWC saltwater fishing regulations.

Follow current FWC boating regulations.

There are marked slow speed areas for manatee protection.

Seagrass is protected within aquatic preserves; avoid shallow waters and raise motor if over seagrass. Damage to seagrass can result in a fine up to $1,000.

Some of the mangrove islands also serve as nesting islands for wading and diving birds. Please respect the wildlife and keep your distance to prevent disturbance.

When fishing, be mindful of where and how you cast, and discard of fishing line properly. Abandoned and improperly disposed of fishing line poses a danger for birds and other marine life.

Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

ADA accommodations are specific to each access point and the managing entity for that site.

There are no fees required by the preserve, but specific access points may charge access fees to those sites. The Friends of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves can take donations for their goal of supporting preserve management and public outreach/education. 

Email Charlotte.Harbor@FloridaDEP.gov to learn about local general, season-specific and program-specific efforts.