Bird Rookery Paddle

Ideal for novices, this peaceful 2.9-mile trail, which launches behind the Marine Discovery Center, passes under the North Causeway and through the New Smyrna Beach City Marina, through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Salt Marsh Restoration Project, and along a seawall built by Scottish colonists in the mid-1700s. The highlight, however, is six species of birds that nest on a pair of mangrove islands, which were protected by the Presidential order in 1908 thanks to avian enthusiast Theodore Roosevelt. To keep the area thriving, pack binoculars or a camera with a strong zoom lens, as visitors should never step onto these sites. April through September is the best period to see nesting birds.

Mosquito Lagoon

This shallow 2.12-mile trail, laid out by a local Eagle Scout, is well suited for first-time paddlers. A series of spoil islands (formed decades ago when the Army Corps of Engineers dredged the Intracoastal Waterway) shelter a maze of tidal creeks from the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the larger Indian River Lagoon—widely considered North America’s most biodiverse estuary—Mosquito Lagoon teems with more than 4,000 animal and plant species, including roseate spoonbills, dolphins, and sea turtles. Visiting in the summer? Bring bug repellant; the trail lives up to its namesake.

Brown's Bay

Take caution on this 2.6-mile trail, which includes a large sandbar (at low tide), a deep-water channel, and powerboat traffic. Launch from Menard-May Park, then go paddling across the Intracoastal Waterway to Firecracker Island. Keep right to safely enter Brown’s Bay, home to many oyster beds, mangroves, fish, and birds.