Canaveral National Seashore | BIO LAB BOAT RAMP

Bio Lab Boat Ramp at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Bio Lab Boat Ramp at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge


See the Boat Launches web page for an interactive location map.


Bio Lab Boat Ramp allows boaters to launch into Mosquito Lagoon. It is located within Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge at the end of a road that branches off from Kennedy Parkway, the same road that leads to the northern entrance of Bio Lab Road. A sign on Kennedy Parkway clearly marks the turn.

There is a concrete boat ramp for motorboats and a separate ramp for canoes, kayaks, and other hand-paddled watercraft. The motorboat ramp launches directly into Mosquito Lagoon, whereas the other ramp is located on a canal, but only a short distance from the lagoon. Both ramps are open during daylight hours only. If you wish to launch a boat at any time of day, use the Bair’s Cove Boat Ramp or the Beacon 42 Boat Ramp.

Bio Lab Road canoe and kayak launch at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Bio Lab Road canoe and kayak launch at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

The parking lot at the Bio Lab Boat Ramp is huge and can easily hold dozens of vehicles and trailers.

Large parking area at the Bio Lab Boat Ramp at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Large parking area at the Bio Lab Boat Ramp at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

There is a fee to use the Biolab Boat Ramp, and this fee gets you a pass that is good for the day at any of the fee-based facilities within Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You can get a pass 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). You cannot get change if paying in cash at the ramp. If you need change, you must get a pass at the Visitor Center. I recommend first stopping at the Visitor Center anyway just to get basic information. National Park Service annual passes, Duck Stamps, Canaveral National Seashore passes, and annual Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge passes are also good for using the boat ramps at Merritt Island. Annual passes are on sale at the Visitor Center. The last time I visited, no credit or debit cards were accepted at the Visitor Center. I do not know if the policy has changed since, but be prepared to pay in cash or check. At the time of this writing the fee is $10 / day, but be sure to get the latest prices on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge’s Visit Us web page.

Bio Lab Boat Ramp pay station at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Bio Lab Boat Ramp pay station at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

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Last updated on February 5, 2024
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