Canaveral National Seashore Apollo Beach Boardwalk 3
Sound
On/Off
[ Date ]
07 27 2026
Boardwalk 03 marks one of the formal transitions between the developed access points of Canaveral National Seashore and the Atlantic shoreline. The elevated boardwalk guides visitors across a protected dune system before opening onto an expansive, undeveloped beach where sea turtle nesting habitat, wind-shaped dunes, and the Atlantic Ocean dominate the landscape. At night, the absence of artificial light reveals a dramatically different environment—one where moonlight, cloud movement, tides, and the sound of surf become the primary elements shaping the experience. The site demonstrates the balance between public access and ecological protection, using minimal infrastructure to preserve one of Florida's most intact barrier island systems.
[ 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°53'55.5"N 80°48'10.6"W
80°F / Clear 86% H
Wind 5 mph WSW (246°), Wind Gusts: 9 mph
After dark, the boardwalk leads from the parking lot, lit by painted lines and overhead lights, across the dunes to the beach. Sea oats and low vegetation become silhouettes against the sky, and the horizon emerges as the boardwalk nears the shore.
On the beach, moonlight reflects across the Atlantic and highlights the edges of low waves. Sea turtle nest markers dot the sand, surrounded by footprints and tire tracks from monitoring vehicles. The elevated boardwalk confines foot traffic to a single path between the parking lot and beach.
Clouds drift overhead, sometimes unveiling stars or spreading moonlight into a soft glow. The dunes stay dark except where they 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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White-Flowered 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
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