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Florida bay is a sun-drenched, sub tropical estuary born at the meeting of fresh water and saltwater, stippled by more than two hundred tiny mangrove rimmed keys (islands). It covers more than 850 sq. miles between the southern tip of Florida and the Florida Keys. In some places, the water is startlingly clear, while in others it is the color of slick, gray, mud-like marl that covers the bottom. It is home to the American crocodile, bottleneck dolphins, West Indian manatees, sea turtles, and several species of wading birds: brown pelicans, eagles, ospreys, and the diamondback terrapins. Beds of seagrass wave in clear water, which over much of the bay averages about five feet deep - almost shallow enough to walk across. Speckled sea trout, redfish, tarpon, barracuda, sharks, and rays move through the bay and its seagrass beds, and through the tangle of submerged mangrove roots edging the islands. The waters of Florida Bay are the principle inshore nursery for Tortugas pink shrimp and provide important habitats for spiny lobster and stone crab. Southwestern Florida Bay is noted for its hard bottom habitats that support sponges and hard and soft coral communities.
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