Canaveral National Seashore Apollo Beach Boardwalk 1
Sound
On/Off
[ Date ]
05 01 2026
Beach Access 1 lies at the northern end of Canaveral National Seashore’s Apollo district, on the barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Mosquito Lagoon.
[ Geographic Features ]
Barrier Island, Shoreline, Beachfront, Dune system, Mangrove Fringe
[ Patterns of Land Use ]
Public Park, Boardwalk, Waterfront Access, Conservation Land
[ Data Set ]
7:05 PM EST
28.937833, -80.830361
77°F 27°C 81% RH, Sunny
Wind: 9 mph, gusts up to 14 mph
Direction: 116° ESE
The shoreline forms a long, narrow margin where the Atlantic meets the land. Dark wet sand reflects the evening sky in a thin band. Small shorebirds move quickly along the waterline, following each retreating wave.
Boardwalk 01 crosses sandy soil and low dune ridges before opening to the shore. A short distance to the left, large rocks rise from the sand, exposed where waves reach them at high tide. A narrow path climbs above them through beach sunflower, shoreline purslane, dune grasses, mangroves, and scrub.
Wind moves across the open beach and through the low vegetation. Each wave alters the wet edge. Farther inland, sand gathers around stems and roots, forming small ridges across the dune.
[ Plants ]
Shoreline Purslane
Common Names: Sea purslane, Shoreline sea-purslane
Botanical Name: Sesuvium portulacastrum
A low-growing perennial succulent found along shorelines, dunes, and salt marsh edges. Its fleshy green leaves and reddish stems are adapted to intense sun, salt spray, and sandy, nutrient-poor soils. It spreads in dense mats that help stabilize sand and protect against coastal erosion.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Sesuvium
Species: portulacastrum
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Beach Sunflower
Common Names: Cucumber-leaf sunflower, Weak sunflower, East coast dune sunflower, Dune sunflower, Sand sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus debilis
A sprawling native flowering perennial with bright yellow petals and dark centers, commonly found in coastal dunes and sandy roadside landscapes. It thrives in full sun, tolerates drought and salt spray, and is widely used in dune restoration and native planting projects.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Helianthus
Species: debilis
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Black Mangrove
Common Names: Black Mangrove, Black Mangrove Tree
Botanical Name: Avicennia germinans
A native salt-tolerant coastal shrub or tree found along estuaries, lagoons, tidal creeks, and salt marshes. It is distinguished by its leathery leaves and upright, pencil-like roots called pneumatophores, which extend above waterlogged soils to facilitate gas exchange. Black mangroves help stabilize shorelines, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for fish, birds, and other coastal wildlife.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Avicennia
Species: Avicennia germinans – Black Mangrove
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Indian Blanket
Common Names: Beach blanket-flower, Gaillardia, Firewheel, Rosering gaillardia, Sundance
Botanical Name: Gaillardia pulchella
A bright red-and-yellow annual wildflower native to sandy coastal soils and open sunny fields. It is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in disturbed sites like dunes and roadsides, supporting pollinators while adding seasonal color to coastal landscapes.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gaillardia
Species: pulchella