Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve

There are no known archaeological sites within Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve. However, there are 12 historical structures and archaeological sites documented by the Florida Division of Historical Resources within or adjacent to the preserve. These include artifacts, prehistoric campsites and prehistoric shell scatters.

Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve spans a unique geological transition zone between the upper and lower Florida Keys. It is the only area in the Florida Keys that contains both Key Largo Limestone and Miami Oolite. The Key Largo Limestone is a porous aggregate of fossil skeletal remains. The presence of freshwater lenses affects the depth configuration of the area, along with factors such as rainfall and evapotranspiration. The Florida Current is the main current that influences the area.

Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve boasts a diversity of underwater habitats that support an array of wildlife. The mangroves are essential to many species of birds, offering areas to nest and to acquire food. The shallow water and mudflats make an ideal hunting ground for wading birds, while floating and diving birds are also frequently observed. Many species of commercial and recreational fish benefit from the mangroves as a nursery, and the endangered Key deer can be found foraging in these areas. The three dominant phyla/subclasses of hardbottom habitats — octocorals, stony corals and sponges — serve as host, prey and habitat to many species living in the hardbottom areas.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve is recognized as an exceptional water resource of the state. This aquatic preserve is within the Atlantic Ocean, just south of Big Pine Key.

Animals
Sponges, soft corals, hard corals, algae

Nesting and Migrating Birds
White ibis, great egret, roseate spoonbill, great blue heron, brown pelican, double-crested cormorant, anhinga, southern bald eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey

Mammals
Key deer (endangered), Key Vaca raccoon, silver rice rat, Keys marsh rabbit, West Indian manatee (threatened), Atlantic bottlenose dolphin

Reptiles
Atlantic loggerhead, green, hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley and leatherback sea turtles, American crocodile, Big Pine Key ringneck snake

Fish
Smalltooth sawfish (endangered), red grouper, gray snapper, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, bonefish, tarpon, permit, common snook, Goliath grouper

Other Species
Queen conch, lobed star coral, massive starlet coral, Big Pine partridge pea, Geiger tree, Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle (critically endangered), Atlantic green sea turtle (threatened), American crocodile (threatened)

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

The Florida Keys has two seasons. December through April, referred to as the dry season, receives just shy of 25% of the annual rainfall, usually ahead of cold fronts and is usually windy. During this time, birds can be found nesting around Coupon Bight and manatees are often found in the shallow waters of the area. Coupon Bight offers one of the better chances of seeing sawfish as well, however your chances are still low. June through October is considered the wet season, receiving approximately 65% of the yearly total in showers and thunderstorms, however winds tend to be much lower. This is the perfect time of year to explore the offshore areas of Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, including the iconic Newfound Harbor Patch Reef. May and November are typically seen as transition months between seasons. Easterly waves during this season occasionally bring excessive rainfall, while infrequent hurricanes may be accompanied by unusually heavy amounts.

The aquatic preserve does not offer guided tours. Please visit other vendors in the area for guided tours.

Yes. However, the public lands surrounding Coupon Bight are part of the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge where dogs are required to be on a leash to protect 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.

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. 

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

Report any unusual sightings, including marine debris; vessel groundings and anchor damage; invasive species; harmful algal blooms; fish disease and fish kills; discolored water; and coral disease and bleaching to SEAFAN.

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 staff of the Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve organize both land- and kayak-based cleanups and collaborate in partner-led cleanup events throughout the year. For more details, please contact the Aquatic Preserve Manager.