Scenic & Historic A1A Highway
Visitor Services

Though the byway is only nineteen miles long, it contains an abundance of visitor services. The byway includes eight public restroom facilities, seven camping facilities, five beachfront parks, three...[more]

Service	Description	Service	Description
	Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities Scenic and Historic A1A Highway accommodates bicycle and pedestrian travel throughout the entire length of the corridor in St.... [more]		Camping There are places to camp along this byway.
	Food There are places to buy food along this byway.		Gasoline Gasoline is available.
	Information There is an authoritative information center along this byway.		Lodging There is overnight lodging along this byway.
	Phone Public phones are available along this byway.		Restrooms There are toilet facilities along this byway.
	Retail There are places to shop along this byway.

NOTE: The America's Byways® website is federally funded and cannot promote commercial businesses. This data may not be complete or up to date. The National Scenic Byways Program is not responsible for the quality of your travel experience. See the right column on the Byway Overview page for local contact information.

Special Considerations

Florida has some of the greatest beaches in the world, allowing greater opportunities for contact with aquatic wildlife. Please pay close attention to the areas you recreate in and follow these safety precautions.

Jellyfish

Watch for: Bluebottles (Portuguese man-of-war) are related to jellyfish. They are blue, transparent, gas-filled floats around 7 cm long with dark-blue tentacles of up to 10 meters in length. They drift on the surface of warm water, are blown by the wind and washed ashore.

DO NOT TOUCH any jellyfish-like animal that has been washed onto the beach as venom can still be discharged from the stinging cells. In case of an emergency only swim in areas patrolled by life-savers.

Be alert to anyone swimming in the same area that is stung, and then leave the water to avoid being stung.

TREATMENT OF JELLYFISH STING

DO NOT try to pull off tentacle pieces still sticking to the skin as they may sting again.

Pour vinegar onto any tentacle pieces still sticking to the skin, wipe or brush them off later. Commercial sting & bite products may ease the pain. If reaction is severe take the victim to a doctor.

Sharks

• Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual.
• Do not wander too far from shore --- this isolates an individual and additionally places one far away from assistance.
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
• Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating --- a shark's olfactory ability is acute.
• Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
• Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commercial fisherman, especially if there are signs of baitfishes or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such action.
• Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks --- both often eat the same food items.
• Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid uneven tanning and bright colored clothing --- sharks see contrast particularly well.
• Refrain from excess splashing and do not allow pets in the water because of their erratic movements.
• Exercise caution when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs --- these are favorite hangouts for sharks.
• Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present and evacuate (calmly) the water if sharks are seen while there. And, of course, do not harass a shark if you see one!

Red Tide

A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms). In Florida, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis (K. brevis). This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish.

At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water. However, red tides are not always red. They can appear greenish, brownish and even purple in color. Or, the water can remain its normal color.

Swimming in a red tide is safe for most people. However, for some people, red tide can cause skin irritation and burning eyes. Use common sense -- if you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid red tide water. If you experience irritation, get out and thoroughly wash off. Do not swim among dead fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria.

People experience respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing and tearing) when the red tide organism (K. brevis) is present along a coast and winds blow its toxic aerosol onshore.

CAUTION: People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions (such as emphysema or asthma) are advised to avoid red tide areas. Generally, symptoms are temporary and disappear within hours (once exposure is discontinued).

Restrictions

Patrick Air Force Base (Cape Canaveral Air Station) does not allow through traffic. Visitors can take a bus onto the base and see the Space and Missile Museum.

Seasons

Best Time to Drive

The most enjoyable times to visit the Scenic and Historic A1A Highway is from April to May and September to November, due to reasonable weather and less visitors to the region.

High Season

November to March is considered Scenic and Historic A1A Highway busy season, due to the many visitors escaping Winter's grasp.

Off Season

Due to the near constant year round weather, no time is a bad time to visit Florida!

Shoulder Season

The summers in Florida are very hot, causing a reduction in tourist traffic.

Road Conditions

To find up to date information about the road conditions along Scenic & Historic A1A Highway, please visit the FHWA listing of web sites for more information.

Florida