Exploring Bairs Cove: Is The Boat Ramp Open?

Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is a popular location for boaters and manatee watchers. Located in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the boat ramp launches into Haulover Canal, a tumultuous waterway that connects the Mosquito Lagoon with the Indian River. The ramp is open 24 hours and is one of the few in the area with a paved road, parking area, and concrete ramp. However, as of December 16, 2024, the boat ramp was closed for repairs.

Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is currently closed for repair

The Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and is usually a very popular access point to the water. It is one of the few boat ramps in the area that has a paved road leading to it, a paved parking area, and a concrete ramp. There are parking spots for two dozen vehicles with trailers, and it is also open for nighttime launching.

The cove is also a well-known spot for observing manatees, especially during the winter months when they are attracted to the warmer waters. The accessible docking area provides a great opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with these gentle giants.

With the Bairs Cove Boat Ramp currently closed, boaters will need to look for alternative access points to the Mosquito Lagoon and Haulover Canal. There are several other boat ramps located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, including the Biolab boat ramp and the WSEG boat ramp, which are accessible from sunrise to sunset. Additionally, there are various boat launch areas throughout Volusia County, such as the River Breeze Park in Oak Hill, which offers a free 24-hour boat ramp.

It is important to plan ahead and check the status of any alternative boat ramps before heading out, as repairs and maintenance can sometimes result in temporary closures. In the meantime, we can hope that the repairs at Bairs Cove Boat Ramp are completed swiftly and safely so that we can all get back to enjoying this beautiful spot on the water.

The boat ramp is located in Titusville, Florida

The Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is located in Titusville, Florida, and is one of the few boat ramps in the area with a paved road leading to it. It launches into the Haulover Canal, a short waterway that connects the Mosquito Lagoon with the Indian River. The boat ramp is accessible from most locations from Interstate 95 (I-95). Take exit 220 to merge onto FL-406 E/Garden St and turn onto Garden St towards Titusville. Drive about 7 miles, and you'll reach the Max Brewer Memorial Pkwy Bridge, which leads to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.

The Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is known for its convenient access and ample parking for boat trailers. It offers a paved parking area, a concrete ramp, and spots for around two dozen vehicles with trailers. The ramp is open 24 hours a day, and fishing is permitted at all times as well. There is a separate canoe and kayak launch located across from the main boat ramp, providing a hand launch area for those wanting to explore the canal and surrounding waters by paddle power.

For those wanting to stay on dry land, there is a Manatee Observation Deck nearby, where you can often spot manatees in the warmer waters, especially during the winter months. The Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is also a popular location for boaters and nature enthusiasts alike, as it offers the chance to see manatees up close as they enter and exit the cove.

In addition to its natural attractions, the Bairs Cove Boat Ramp also provides access to recreational activities such as hiking, biking, boating, and fishing in the surrounding areas. A National Parks Pass, Duck Stamp, or Federal Public Lands Pass will cover your parking fee, which is currently $10 per vehicle or $2 per bicycle.

There is a fee to use the boat ramp

The Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is located in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, in Titusville, Florida. It is one of the few boat ramps at Merritt Island that has a paved road leading to it, a paved parking area, and a concrete ramp. There is a fee to use the Bairs Cove Boat Ramp, which is currently $10 per day. This fee gets you a pass that is valid for the day at any of the fee-based facilities within the Refuge. The pass can be purchased online in advance at Recreation.gov or on the day of your visit at the Visitor Center or the self-pay kiosk located at the boat ramp. It is important to note that the kiosk only accepts cash or check, and no change is provided. If you require change, you must obtain a pass from the Visitor Center.

In addition to the daily pass, there are also annual passes available for purchase at the Visitor Center. These include the National Park Service annual pass, Duck Stamps, Canaveral National Seashore passes, and annual Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge passes, which are all valid for using the boat ramps at Merritt Island. It is worth noting that the last time this information was updated, the Visitor Center did not accept credit or debit cards, so it is advisable to be prepared to pay in cash or by check.

The Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is a convenient and accessible location for boaters, with ample parking available for vehicles with trailers. It is one of the easiest-to-access boat ramps in the Merritt Island NWR. The ramp leads to a channel in the cove, which then connects to the Haulover Canal, providing a smooth launch point for boats and kayaks without the rough flow of the tides. The Haulover Canal connects the Indian River Lagoon with the Mosquito Lagoon, and fishing is permitted 24 hours a day in these waters.

In addition to its convenience for boaters, Bairs Cove is also a popular spot for manatee watching. The warmer waters of the cove, especially during the winter months, attract manatees, and an accessible docking area provides a great opportunity for observers.

The ramp is open for nighttime launching

Bairs Cove Boat Ramp is located in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida. It is one of the few boat ramps at Merritt Island that has a paved road leading to it, a paved parking area, and a concrete ramp. There is a separate canoe and kayak launch located across from the boat ramp, which also has its own parking area.

To get to Bairs Cove Boat Ramp, take exit 220 from Interstate 95 and follow SR 406 east for about 8 miles to cross the Max Brewer Memorial Pkwy Bridge to the wildlife refuge. After driving over the bridge, follow signs for Haulover Canal and continue straight for about 8 miles until you reach a stop sign, then turn left. Follow this road (called Shiloh Road/N. Courtenay Pkwy). You will pass the Bio Lab Boat Launch, and then you will see the small sign for Bairs Cove Boat Launch on your left. Turn here and follow the paved road.

There is a fee to use the boat ramp, which is $10 per day as of the last update in November 2024. Passes can be purchased online in advance at Recreation.gov or on the day of your visit at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center or the self-pay kiosk located at the boat ramp. Please note that the kiosk only accepts cash or check, and change is not provided.

Fishing is allowed 24 hours a day

Bair's Cove Boat Ramp is located in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, in Titusville, Florida. It is one of the few boat ramps at Merritt Island that has a paved road leading to it, a paved parking area, and a concrete ramp. The ramp launches into Haulover Canal, a tumultuous waterway that connects the north end of the Indian River Lagoon with the Mosquito Lagoon.

The boat ramp is also a popular location for spotting manatees, especially during the winter months when they are attracted to the warmer waters of the cove. An accessible docking area provides a place to tie up boats and serves as a walkway for manatee watching.

There is a fee to use the Bair's Cove Boat Ramp, which is $10 per day as of the last update in 2024. Passes can be purchased online in advance at Recreation.gov or on the day of your visit at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center or the self-pay kiosk located at the boat ramp (cash or check only).

For those looking to launch a kayak or canoe, there is a separate hand launch area perpendicular to the boat ramp. Kayakers can also access the lagoon directly through a gap between the palms and mangroves at the west edge of the parking area.

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