Map Search    About the Trail Florida Department of State Tarpon Springs sponge boats. Photo courtesy of VISIT FLORIDA. Welcome to Florida's Maritime Heritage Trail! For thousands of years, Floridians have lived and worked on the coast, and have left a legacy of remains and reminders of our past. This web site is all about public access to Florida's natural and cultural coastal resources. Whether you are interested in learning, having fun, or visiting, we will take you there. Ponce de Leon Lighthouse. Photo courtesy of the Florida Division of Historical Resources. The Florida Maritime Heritage Trail is not so much a formal path, as it is a collection of interesting and fun locations that are open to the public. The Trail is made up of six themes, Coastal Communities, Coastal Environments, Coastal Forts, Lighthouses, Historic Ports, and Historic Shipwrecks. Each theme includes a number of places to visit or learn about, and each place features pictures, a historical narrative, a map, and information about how to visit. The themes explain how natural and cultural elements developed historically and how they fit together in a region. Fort Jefferson. Photo courtesy of VISIT FLORIDA. We hope you enjoy your travels around Florida's Maritime Heritage Trail, whether by browsing or driving, and look forward to seeing you often. Communities | Environments | Forts | Lighthouses | Ports | Shipwrecks | Home The Florida Maritime Heritage Trail was created and is maintained by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, with initial funding by Florida Coastal Management Program. Send comments to: [email protected] This web page was funded in part by the Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Coastal Management Program, pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA97OZ0158. The views expressed in herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the State of Florida, NOAA, or any of its subagencies. Disclaimer and Copyright ©State of Florida, Department of State.