Good Afternoon from Florida's Indian River Lagoon
Good afternoon from Sebastian Saltwater Marina along Florida's Indian River Lagoon in Sebastian FL. Today is Friday September 11, 2026. A somber day in our nations history.
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: 2 PM
Air Temperature: 84 and at the high for the day
Humidity: 81%
Wind Direction & Speed: SE at 10 MPH
Tide Stage: High at 11 AM and Low at 6 PM
Moon Phase: New - rise at 7:30 AM and set at 7:48 PM
Water Conditions: fairly clear with a light chop in the lagoon
Today's Lagoon Life:
Today I reflect briefly on the anniversary of Sept 11. The world changed that day and for some more than others but it did change for every person on this planet. I would also say that it didn't change for the better. Today I spend a little time just taking in the beauty of the world around me to help balance those realties.
Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:
Keep Fishing Line Out of the Food Chain
Fishing line weighs almost nothing in your hand.
In the environment, it can become a surprisingly serious problem.
Discarded monofilament can entangle birds, turtles and other wildlife long after the fisherman who lost it has gone home. A recent example from our own area involved a juvenile green sea turtle found at Jetty Park with fishing line wrapped around its neck and front flipper. After rehabilitation at Brevard Zoo's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, it was successfully released back into the ocean this summer.
If you fish, retrieve as much broken line as you safely can and use a monofilament recycling container where available. If you're walking a shoreline and see abandoned line, picking it up may be a much bigger act of conservation than it appears.
The best fishing story is still the one where everything that doesn't belong in the water comes home with us. 🎣🐢
Wildlife & Nature
There's always something going on at the dock in the marina! The osprey seem to be busy again and it makes me wonder if they are about to nest again. A few speedy swifts (appropriately named) buzzed by me while I was looking at the carcass of this dead bull shark. Lots of bait fish in the water too!
Today's Lagoon Spotlight
Featured Community Do-Gooder: Sea Turtle Preservation Society
Since the Dock Report has migrated to Barefoot Bay, we have a whole new collection of neighbors to meet.
The Sea Turtle Preservation Society is an all-volunteer Brevard County nonprofit with a wonderfully uncomplicated mission: helping sea turtles survive.
Brevard's 72-mile coastline provides important nesting habitat, while the Indian River Lagoon provides foraging habitat for sea turtles. STPS volunteers help injured and stranded turtles, participate in beach cleanups and educate residents and visitors about protecting them.
Their education work is particularly interesting. The organization offers free Turtle Talks throughout the year covering Florida's sea turtles, nesting biology, threats to turtles and practical things ordinary people can do to help.
And here's where today's Lagoon Living Tip comes full circle.
The turtle rescued from fishing line at Jetty Park earlier this year was initially retrieved by a trained and permitted Sea Turtle Preservation Society volunteer, then transported for rehabilitation.
That's conservation reduced to its most human scale.
Somebody noticed.
Somebody knew what to do.
Somebody showed up.
💙 Why They Matter
Living beside the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean gives us extraordinary access to wildlife.
It also gives us some responsibility for what happens to it.
Artificial lighting, discarded fishing gear, plastics, boats and shoreline development are all human-created hazards. STPS works at that intersection between people and turtles, helping the former understand how to cause fewer problems for the latter.
They're also a useful organization to know before an emergency. Their current Sea Turtle Emergency Hotline is 321-206-0646.
That's one worth putting in the phone.
Living in coastal Florida isn't merely getting a better seat for the show. Occasionally, we're part of the stage crew. 🐢🌊
Learn More
🌐 Sea Turtle Preservation Society: https://seaturtlespacecoast.org/
Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate
Check the Plumbing Material, Not Just the Water Pressure
A shower with great water pressure can make a buyer happy. What you really want to know, though, is what's carrying that water through the house.
Especially when buying an older Florida property, ask your inspector what type of supply and drain piping is present and whether portions have been replaced over the years. A beautifully remodeled kitchen doesn't necessarily mean the plumbing hidden behind the walls was remodeled with it.
Also look beneath sinks and around toilets and water heaters for old repairs, corrosion, staining or evidence of previous leaks.
This is another good reminder that some of the most important parts of a house aren't particularly photogenic.
Nobody has ever fallen in love with a plumbing stack during a showing. Your insurance company may find it considerably more interesting. 🚿🏡
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