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Canaveral National Seashore
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Discover Atlantic Coastal Wildlife
Alligators, lots of 'em, inhabit the murky swamps, marshes, canals, and lagoons of the seashore. Did you know that the largest recorded American alligator measured 19 feet in length? But wait, there's more: In the sand dunes, you'll find armadillos and masked bandits like the raccoon that steal sea-turtle eggs. Explore the 92,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The semitropical salt marsh of small ponds and hammocks shelters bald eagles, manatees, peregrine falcons, gopher tortoises, osprey, and five species of marine turtles. The refuge is easily the best wintering waterfowl habitat on Florida's east coast. Birders will want to visit the refuge between the months of November and March.
Hike to Turtle Mound
A quarter-mile trail leads to Turtle Mound, an ancient hillock of shells left by the oyster-shucking Timucuan Indians between A.D. 600 and 1200. Archaeologists theorize that the Indians may have used the area as high-ground refuge during hurricanes. If you're feeling a little crabby, bring along some twine, a few sinkers, a couple chicken heads, and a long-handled net: A popular activity near the Turtle Mound is catching blue crabs. The trailhead is located seven miles south of New Smyrna Beach on A1A in the North District.
 More on hiking in Canaveral National Seashore
Surf Cast the Breakers
Surf cast the breakers for bluefish, scrappy, whiting, and pompano. If calmer waters sooth your soul, fish Mosquito Lake and Indian River for redfish, mullet, and trout. If it's bigger fish you seek, try high-speed trolling the Gulf Stream for sailfish, marlin, tuna, wahoo, and mahi mahi. Charter boats will take you to the many wrecks and reefs offshore where you can live bait fish for amberjack, snapper, and grouper.
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