Sunset on the Indian River Lagoon
A Space Coast Dolphin Tour wouldn’t be complete without a thorough description of the Indian River Lagoon.
Treasured for its collection of diverse marine life, the Indian River Lagoon includes the Mosquito Lagoon and the Banana River, where the Blue Dolphin launches for every nature tour. Spanning 156 miles, from Ponce Inlet to Jupiter Inlet,the Indian River Lagoon is home to more than 4,300 species, including 700 different species of fish, 300 different types of birds and 1,300 plant species.
The Indian River Lagoon is classified as North America’s most diverse estuary, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Multiple inlets, including Port Canaveral, Ponce Inlet, Sebastian Inlet and Jupiter inlet, push saltwater into fresh water in the lagoon, creating a mixture known as brackish water, provides a unique habitat in which alligators and freshwater fish coexist with stingrays, bottlenose dolphins and sharks.
Manatees are drawn to the Indian River Lagoon’s tranquil and warm water. Marine biologists estimate 25% of North America’s manatees reside in the Indian River Lagoon.
