"Because of its pristine condition, Cockroach Bay has become established as Tampa Bay's premier estuarine outdoor classroom for generations of students of all ages."

Randy Runnels, Aquatic Preserve Manager

Location:

Hillsborough County

Acreage:

4,800 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Randy Runnels, Manager
Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves
130 77th Street East
Terra Ceia, FL 34250
 
Randy.Runnels@dep.state.fl.us

Download a fact sheet.

• The name "Cockroach Bay" may have originated with early explorers who observed numerous horseshoe crabs in the area.
   
• This is the only aquatic preserve in Florida in which the submerged land of the preserve is not state-owned. The submerged lands are owned by Hillsborough Port Authority.
   
• The preserve includes two paddling trails that wind through mangrove labyrinths.
   
• Numerous mangrove islands provide nursery areas for snook, red drum, and other gamefish.
   
• Submerged habitats include seagrass beds, hardbottom, and oyster reefs.
   
• Archaeological sites indicate the importance of this area to pre-Columbian Native Americans.