Canaveral National Seashore Apollo Beach Boardwalk 3
Sound
On/Off
[ Date ]
07 27 2026
A protected dune crossing between developed access and the Atlantic shoreline. An elevated boardwalk carries visitors over sea oats and nesting habitat, while artificial light recedes after dark.
[ Geographic Features ]
Barrier island, Shoreline, Beachfront, Dune System, Coastal Plain
[ Patterns of Land Use ]
Boardwalk, Public Park, Waterfront Access, Conservation Land
[ Data Set ]
10:13 PM EST
28.898750, -80.802944
80°F 26.6°C 86% RH, Clear
Wind 5 mph WSW (246°), Wind Gusts: 9 mph
After dark, the boardwalk leads from the lit parking lot across the dunes to the beach. Sea oats and low vegetation become silhouettes against the sky. The horizon comes into view as the boardwalk nears the shore.
Moonlight reflects across the Atlantic and catches the edges of low waves. Sea turtle nest markers dot the sand among footprints and tire tracks from monitoring vehicles. Behind the beach, the elevated boardwalk holds foot traffic to a single path across the dunes. Clouds move overhead, alternately covering and revealing the stars. The dunes remain dark except where their edges meet the sky.
[ 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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American Beachgrass
Common Names: American marram grass, American dune grass, American marram
Botanical Name: Ammophila breviligulata
A tall perennial dune grass with narrow arching blades and extensive root systems that anchor shifting sand. It thrives in exposed beachfront conditions and plays a major role in dune formation by trapping windblown sand and stabilizing fragile coastal landscapes.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Ammophila
Species: breviligulata
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Black Mangrove
Common Names: White-flowered mangrove, Kripa
Botanical Name: Avicennia germinans
A salt-tolerant coastal shrub or small tree found near estuaries, lagoons, and tidal creeks. Its thick, rounded leaves and woody structure allow it to survive fluctuating tides and saline soils. It plays an important role in shoreline protection and wetland health.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Avicennia
Species: germinans
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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