Aquatic Preserves

The Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve (NCAP), designated in 2020 by the Florida Legislature, is Florida’s 42nd aquatic preserve and the state’s first new aquatic preserve in 32 years. It encompasses 800 square miles of coastal waters, including 625 miles of shoreline, along Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties, making it the second-largest aquatic preserve in Florida.

The Boca Ciega Bay and Pinellas County aquatic preserves (referred to collectively as the Pinellas County Aquatic Preserves) were designated in 1969 and 1972, respectively.

Boca Ciega Bay was designated as an aquatic preserve to aid in halting the wholesale dredging and filling of the bay that occurred with the finger fill developments of the 1950s. Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve was designated to help prevent the events in Boca Ciega Bay from being repeated elsewhere. 

Banana River Aquatic Preserve is located in north central Brevard County, separating Merritt Island on the west and the beach barrier island on the east. The surface water area of the aquatic preserve is approximately 30,000 acres. The aquatic preserve begins at State Road 528 (Bennett Causeway), extends almost to the southern tip of Merritt Island, and includes Newfound Harbor and Sykes Creek as far north as Hall Road. There is no visitor center in the area or official trails managed by Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves.

Situated amidst growing developmental pressure, these beautiful, natural and cultural areas require special attention and protection."

Nassau River-St. Johns River Marshes and Fort Clinch aquatic preserves are in the northeastern part of Florida, along the Atlantic intracoastal waters of the St. Marys, St. Johns and Nassau rivers.

Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve, located within the boundaries of GTM Research Reserve, is unusual because it includes uplands. Nearly 12,000 acres of uplands were purchased by the state of Florida in 1984 because of their environmental sensitivity and to protect several species of endangered and threatened plants and animals.

Approximately 9,500 acres are managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and 2,600 acres are managed by DEP's Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, including the house and visitor center near Guana Dam. 

Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve was designated in 1976. Of the four aquatic preserves in the Tampa Bay region, it is the least developed and is in the most pristine condition. Portions of the submerged lands within the aquatic preserve are not state owned but are leased from the Tampa Port Authority.

"The Wekiva's place in Central Florida's past and future is truly remarkable. Where else in the nation can you find a spring-fed river beginning in the midst of a rapidly urbanizing area that leads like an ever expanding path out of the city and into a hundred miles of wilderness?

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"Nestled into the urban sprawl of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie and Stuart is a quiet and scenic retreat - perfect for viewing manatees, birds, turtles and alligators from a canoe or kayak."

"No wetlands, no seafood. ... Cooperative efforts among all levels of government are critical to restore coastal wetlands. These efforts are called for in the National Estuary Program's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Lagoon."

Ron Brockmeyer,
St. Johns River Water Management District