Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Park First U.S. wildlife refuge protecting nesting seabirds
The first U.S. national wildlife refuge, off Florida’s east coast in the Indian River Lagoon, created to protect seabird colonies; visitors take boat trips, kayak, and birdwatch nesting colonies.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a small protected island in the Indian River Lagoon on Florida’s Atlantic coast and is managed as part of the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System. It is historically significant as the first National Wildlife Refuge in the United States.
The refuge protects seabird nesting habitat and is best appreciated from boats or from shoreline viewpoints on the nearby mainland; birdlife includes nesting pelicans and other coastal waterbirds. There is limited on-island public access, and much viewing is done from nearby observation points and boat tours.
President Theodore Roosevelt established the site in 1903 to protect brown pelicans and other colonial waterbirds, marking the start of the national refuge system. Management since then has focused on maintaining nesting habitat and monitoring bird populations.
Pelican Island sits in the Indian River Lagoon off Florida’s Atlantic coast near the communities of Vero Beach and Sebastian in the Treasure Coast region.
- Founding date: Established in 1903, it was the first federally designated National Wildlife Refuge in the United States and was created to protect a key seabird rookery.
How to Get to Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge #
Pelican Island NWR is located near Sebastian and Vero Beach along Florida’s east coast. The refuge is easily reached by car from US-1; local signage directs visitors to parking and trailheads. Nearest larger airports are Orlando and Melbourne.
Tips for Visiting Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge #
- Bring binoculars to watch shorebirds and wintering pelicans from the observation points along the refuge.
- Arrive early in the morning to catch the most active bird and marine mammal behavior near the shoreline.
Best Time to Visit Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge #
Winter and spring are especially good for birding; daylight-season access is typical year-round.
Weather & Climate near Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge #
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 12°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1254 mm/year), wettest in September.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (156 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 23°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm).
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 23°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (190 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
