A bay is a body of water partially enclosed by land, typically surrounded by a shoreline. A bay usually has a wide mouth, and often a deep estuary. Florida is home to many bays, such as Tampa Bay, Apalachee Bay, St. George Sound and Pensacola Bay.
The Florida Keys are also surrounded by a large number of bights. A bight is an indentation in the shoreline, usually between two points of land; for example, the Florida Bight is a curved indentation that runs along the coastline of the state.
Bayous are similar to bays, but they are typically smaller and more shallow. They can be found throughout Florida, such as in Apalachicola Bay or in parts of the Okeechobee Waterway. Coves are also a type of bay, but they are more enclosed than bays and usually have shallower waters. Examples of coves in Florida include Boca Grande in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Caladesi Island State Park, and Manatee Cove in the Everglades National Park.
Florida is home to some of the most diverse coastal ecosystems in the world. The combination of its bays, bights, bayous and coves make Florida a unique place to explore the coastal environment. Whether you’re interested in swimming, fishing, kayaking or just relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Florida’s amazing aquatic life.