The 12 Cocoa Beach Kayak Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 923 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69Our pick

Spend about 2.5 hours kayaking Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands with guides such as James, Ian, or Susie. Paddle open lagoons and narrow mangrove tunnels while watching for manatees, dolphins, stingrays, tarpon, crabs, and birds. Your guide takes photos and emails them within 48 hours.

“Equipment was good. Guide was knowledgeable and set a comfortable pace. Saw plenty of critters and birds. About the right length of time on the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 831 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Kayak for about two hours through the Indian River Lagoon near Merritt Island. Summer brings cloudy blue-green dinoflagellate glow, while winter can bring gentle, glowing comb jellies. Guides such as Aidan, Caleb, Sean, and Zoey explain the science and help first-time paddlers feel at ease.

“Guide was very knowledgeable and we saw a lot of Dinoflaggelletes and even caught several comb jellies.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 605 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Join BK Adventure for a 90-minute night paddle through Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Guides such as Faith, Brea, Seven, Leslie, and Leo help you spot glowing plankton and comb jellyfish from your kayak. Equipment is included, and groups are limited to eight.

“Was a beautiful night but the bioluminescence was disappointing Also at times can be stressful if you’re not a experienced kayaker because you are bunched up with other kayakers and you might run into them.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Florida Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour (Titusville)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 350 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Join Florida Adventurer for a 90-minute guided night kayak tour from Haulover Canal or Kiwanis Island Park. Guides such as Brian, Clint, Jeremiah, and Terrance lead beginners through glowing water, comb jelly sightings, fish spotting, and quiet views beneath the stars.

“The tour was a total ripped off. There was no sign of glowing in the water. The guide said that October is not the perfect time to see it. My friends and I (4 of us) was very frustrated about it. Total waste of money.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Bioluminescent Clear Kayak Tours in Titusville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 321 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Meet at Haulover Canal near Titusville for a 90-minute nighttime paddle in a 100% clear kayak. Guides such as Celeste, Anthony, Blane, and Zach point out glowing organisms, fish, gators, dolphins, manatees, birds, and Space Coast connections.

“Get up and go kayaking bioluminescence tour was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. It was a beautiful star filled surreal magical night. Celeste, our guide was the best guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable, informative, professional and most of all her genuine enthusiasm was contagious. We loved and will cherish our experience and hope to be back next year.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking | Wildlife Refuge (Titusville)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 241 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

You’ll paddle a provided kayak through Haulover Canal near Titusville with a guide such as Brian, Zach, or Terrance. Expect calm water, manatees, dolphins, birds, and possible alligator sightings, with several start times and a 90-minute route.

“Zach was amazing. He knew the history behind the canal, the manatees, the dolphins and the Native American history that began the canal. We were the only ones on that particular tour so he let us spend as much time as we wanted with the dolphins and in the cove were the manatees were sunning. We saw blue herons and other birds. He even knew the the history of the mangrove trees. It was relaxing and beautiful. Zach Roush was the most awesome guide ever.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · from $52Best value

Launch at Haulover Canal near Cocoa Beach for a 90-minute guided kayak or paddleboard trip through mangroves and the Indian River Lagoon. Guides such as Noah, Logan, Katie, and Mike point out manatees, dolphins, birds, alligators, and smaller sea life. Photos arrive by text or email within 48 hours.

“Awesome tour with our guide Noah. Even in the chilly overcast weather he made the tour fun. Saw lots of manatees, an alligator, and a few dolphins.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour of Cocoa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Paddle a kayak or stand-up board through Cocoa Beach’s Banana River Manatee Refuge and past the Thousand Islands Conservation Area. Guides such as Jack, Riley, Roman, and Christian explain local wildlife and plants. The two-hour outing suits families, though sightings depend on weather and season.

“Dolphin, manatee, hermit crabs, spoonbill , pelicans, osprey! It was a great afternoon. Our tour guide, Riley was very knowledgeable and provided a great leisurely experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 166 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet at Haulover Canal near Mims for a two-hour evening paddle with A Day Away Kayak Tours. Your guide leads you through dark water where comb jellies and other organisms may glow blue. Kayaks and gear are included, but bring bug spray, long clothing, and dry clothes.

“We absolutely loved it ! Such a neat thing to experience. Would definitely do it again. Haley and Ross were great tour guides and very helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Bioluminescence Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour Near Orlando

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 145 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Paddle from Merritt Island at sunset, then watch fish and comb jellies glow beneath your clear kayak or paddleboard. Guides such as Bob, Savannah, Bryce, and Mike lead the two-hour outing, with a short lesson, safety gear, dry bags, and about 90 minutes on the water.

“Awesome experience kayaking at sunset/night, and the bioluminescence was amazing to see! Our guides Bob and Logan were great!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Clear Kayak Guided Kayak Tours in Titusville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Paddle a clear kayak through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville with a guide who points out manatees, dolphins, birds, fish, and conservation work. Equipment is included, groups are capped at 10, and several departure times are available. The tour is offered in English.

“The amount of knowledge that are guide had and brought us into places in the river that I never knew existed. Had a great time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Wildlife Refuge Sunset Dolphin, Manatee & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $61

Set out from Haulover Canal near Kennedy Space Center for a two-hour guided kayak or SUP tour. Guides such as Logan, Noah, Mark, and Ethan lead small groups of up to 10 through mangroves and wildlife habitat, with sunset views and photos sent afterward.

“Ethen did a great job showing us the dolphins, many birds and mangroves. He was knowledgeable about the area. Kayaking was great even though the weather was a little cold.”

Check availability →Read our full review