Main image

Gentry, George (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Park

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 MiamiOrlando, FloridaKey WestFort Lauderdale, FloridaTampa, FloridaJacksonville, FloridaTallahassee, FloridaSt. Petersburg, FloridaPelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
In this guide

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge essentials

Address: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Indian River Lagoon, near Sebastian, Florida, USA
Website: fws.gov
Hours: Open daylight hours (check USFWS refuge notices for seasonal restrictions)
Admission: Free (U.S. National Wildlife Refuge-no admission fee)
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About Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

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.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Winter and spring are especially good for birding; daylight-season access is typical year-round.

Winter
December-February · 10-22°C (50-72°F)
Many migratory birds present and comfortable conditions for walking the trails.
Spring-Autumn
March-May, September-November · 18-28°C (64-82°F)
Active wildlife and pleasant conditions; spring brings nesting activity.
Summer
June-August · 24-33°C (75-91°F)
Hot and humid; afternoon thunderstorms common.

Weather & Climate near Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 26 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 12° - 22° 17° 60 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
February - 12° - 23° 17° 72 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
March - 15° - 25° 20° 80 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
April - 17° - 27° 22° 50 mm - - 4.7 m/s - -
May - 20° - 29° 24° 105 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
June - 22° - 31° 27° 156 mm - - 4.1 m/s - -
July - 23° - 32° 28° 142 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
August - 23° - 32° 28° 150 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
September - 23° - 31° 27° 190 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
October - 20° - 29° 25° 129 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
November - 17° - 26° 21° 72 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
December - 13° - 23° 18° 48 mm - - 4.1 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

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.