Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon
Good morning from Pelican Landing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Today is Thursday August 20, 2026.
Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.
Lagoon Conditions
Time: 10 AM
Air Temperature: 85 with a high of 91
Humidity: 80%
Wind Direction & Speed: West at 2 - Help us!
Tide Stage: Low at 11:30 AM and high at 5 PM
Moon Phase: 1st quarter - rise at 2:30 PM and sets at midnight
Water Conditions: Bathtub like!
Today's Lagoon Life:
Today I'm back on my dock at Pelican Landing and man is it still and hot this morning. It's cooling off today and only going to be 92 instead of the 97 it was yesterday! Lots of activity on the water this AM and I'm pretty sure there is a tarpon off the dock feeding on bait fish. I saw its tail fin and it sure looked like tarpon to me!
Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:
Leave a Little Wild Around the Edges
If your property is anywhere near the Indian River Lagoon, a perfectly manicured landscape isn't necessarily the most lagoon-friendly one.
Native plants and vegetated buffers can help slow stormwater, trap nutrients before they reach the water, provide habitat for birds and pollinators, and generally require less fertilizer once established.
You don't have to turn your backyard into a jungle. Even a small strip of native vegetation can help.
Sometimes the best thing we can do for the lagoon is stop trying quite so hard to make Florida look like a golf course. 🌿🦋🌊
Wildlife & Nature
The water is churning with glass minnows and there is a tarpon off the dock crushing them at times. I walked down here last night after work and saw a good sized snook sitting under the lights. It reminded me of all the nights in Naples when I'd be down on the dock fishing.
Lots of birds around feeding - grouchy, turns, and three pelicans
Today's Lagoon Spotlight
Today's spotlight is wonderfully straightforward: Keep Indian River Beautiful.
This local 501(c)(3) works to improve Indian River County's environment and quality of life through hands-on volunteer projects focused on litter removal, recycling and community beautification.
I like this organization because the connection between the work and the result is so immediate.
Pick up a discarded bottle along a roadway and it can't wash into a storm drain. Remove fishing line from a shoreline and it can't entangle a bird. Clean up a neighborhood and people tend to take a little more pride in keeping it clean.
And when we talk about protecting the Indian River Lagoon, this is an important piece of the puzzle. Not every environmental solution requires a laboratory, a multimillion-dollar restoration project or a new piece of legislation.
Sometimes it requires a pair of gloves and somebody willing to bend over and pick something up.
Indian River County also offers volunteer opportunities involving lagoon restoration, including oyster projects, while local environmental organizations regularly partner on cleanups, habitat restoration and other citizen-action projects.
💙 How You Can Help
Volunteer for a cleanup or beautification project, organize a group from your neighborhood or business, or simply make picking up litter part of your normal walk around the community.
It's difficult to imagine a simpler form of environmental stewardship:
See something that doesn't belong here. Pick it up. Leave the place a little better than you found it.
That's a pretty good philosophy for living anywhere, but especially beside a lagoon. 🌿🌊
Learn More
Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate
Ask What's Included Before You Fall in Love With It
That beautiful dining-room chandelier, garage refrigerator, wall-mounted television, patio furniture, or even the washer and dryer may not necessarily stay with the house.
When something matters to you, don't rely on assumptions. Make sure it's specifically addressed in the contract.
This is especially worth remembering when buying furnished or partially furnished Florida homes. "Furnished" can mean everything from turnkey right down to the wine glasses, to "we're leaving you three bar stools and a wicker table."
A five-minute conversation before the offer can prevent a very irritating surprise on closing day. 🏡🔑
Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?
Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.
If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.
Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.
Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty
Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon
ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate