Each of the five aquatic preserves within the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves offers a memorable experience visiting protected submerged state lands, healthy mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds and oyster bars. Southwest Florida’s subtropical climate is home to a variety of animals as well, in addition to migrating birds.

Fort Pickens is a rare taste of old Florida, and its undisturbed natural beauty makes it one of my favorite places to visit on the Gulf Coast."  — former U.S. Representative Jeff Miller.

As an aquatic preserve manager, one of the most surprising things I’ve discovered is that I didn’t even know aquatic preserves existed until I started working at one. Growing up in Northeast Florida, I spent as much time as possible outdoors, always near the water. Yet, I had never heard of the Fort Clinch or Nassau River-St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserves.

As the regional manager for Florida’s Big Bend Region, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the breathtaking Nature Coast. Designated as an aquatic preserve in 2020, this hidden gem just north of St. Petersburg is a sanctuary of life and adventure. From its vast seagrass meadows to the awe-inspiring tiger sharks, graceful osprey, playful river otters and everything in between, the Nature Coast is teeming with biodiversity.

It is a place of many appearances depending on the time of day and season, but regardless of the moment, Estero Bay is a nature lover’s paradise.

Each of the aquatic preserves within the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves offers a unique visit of protected submerged state lands. The Indian River Lagoon is a lagoonal estuary with several small freshwater tributaries and a limited connection to the ocean through broadly spaced inlets.

Welcome to Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, a vital and ecologically significant area located in the heart of the Florida Keys. Established in 1969, this aquatic preserve spans a pristine 5,400-acre expanse of coastal waters and serves as one of only two aquatic preserves located entirely within the Florida Keys. The preserve is recognized for its exceptional water quality, diverse marine habitats and biological significance.

If you're looking to step back in time, get away from the hustle and bustle, view wildlife in their natural habitat and immerse yourself in untouched Florida beauty, you've come to the right place. Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve encompasses the crystal clear, spring-fed Silver River and a 20-mile stretch of the dark-water Oklawaha River. The aquatic preserve provides a window into the rich cultural history of Florida.

Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve is a quiet gem of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Multiple conservation lands surround the main stem of the creek, protecting the waterway and providing access to recreational opportunities.

Each of the five aquatic preserves within the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves offers a unique visit of protected submerged state lands, healthy mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds and oyster bars. Southwest Florida’s subtropical climate is home to a variety of animals as well, in addition to migrating birds.