Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 227 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour worth booking?
Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour is a 3-hour experience in Cocoa Beach, United States, from $95 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 227 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (227)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $95 per person
Experience everything the wildlife refuge has to offer with three distinct experiences packed into one three-hour tour! Launch your kayak in the daylight and surround yourself with Florida’s most-loved endangered species, West Indian Manatees! Sit back while the gentle giants roll, sniff, and nuzzle all around you. Dolphins are also active this time of day as they wrangle their dinner in the adjacent cove. Next, head out to Bird Island, a federally protected rookery, to watch hundreds of birds soar in overhead. Ibis, herons, egrets, pelicans, cormorants, and roseate spoonbills and more all glide in their flocks to nest for the night. Be lulled into serenity by the gently rocking kayak as the sun descends for the night in the pinks, oranges, and reds of sunset. Finally, the tour culminates in the season’s bioluminescent experience, whether it be summer bioluminescence, winter comb jelly bioluminescence, or a star-studded moonlit sky.
What you get
About this experience
Experience everything the wildlife refuge has to offer with three distinct experiences packed into one three-hour tour! Launch your kayak in the daylight and surround yourself with Florida’s most-loved endangered species, West Indian Manatees! Sit back while the gentle giants roll, sniff, and nuzzle all around you. Dolphins are also active this time of day as they wrangle their dinner in the adjacent cove. Next, head out to Bird Island, a federally protected rookery, to watch hundreds of birds soar in overhead. Ibis, herons, egrets, pelicans, cormorants, and roseate spoonbills and more all glide in their flocks to nest for the night. Be lulled into serenity by the gently rocking kayak as the sun descends for the night in the pinks, oranges, and reds of sunset. Finally, the tour culminates in the season’s bioluminescent experience, whether it be summer bioluminescence, winter comb jelly bioluminescence, or a star-studded moonlit sky.
What's included
Included
- Kayak
- Professional guide
- PFD
- Paddle
- 2 hour kayak tour
Not included
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cocoa Beach
Launching from Haulover Canal - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge https://goo.gl/maps/726pkP1XvoQm2eXP8 Haulover Canal Launch Site is 20 minutes east of Titusville on the NW corner of Haulover Canal. **If you have any difficulty finding us you may reach us at** After 5pm 321-284-1555
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Launching from Haulover Canal - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge https://goo.gl/maps/726pkP1XvoQm2eXP8 Haulover Canal Launch Site is 20 minutes east of Titusville on the NW corner of Haulover Canal. **If you have any difficulty finding us you may reach us at** After 5pm 321-284-1555
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- A Day Away Kayak Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- What to bring:
- Clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet. Towel (left in car)
- Water Shoes – sandals or Crocs that can be worn in the water
- Bring an extra change of clothes just in case
- Camera & Dry bag (optional) These are fairly useless to capture bioluminescence, but great for capturing people.
- Bottled water, Snacks
- Any special personal paddling gear if you like
- You may bring a flashlight, though we will provide a safety light.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 227 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
4 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
227 verified traveler reviews for Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An Unforgettable Florida Experience!
My grandmother and I have been wanting to do a bioluminescence kayaking tour for YEARS, but I could never get the timing quite right since I live in Oklahoma and only get to visit her in Florida occasionally. I finally bit the bullet and booked this trip for her birthday, and I am SO glad I did! First of all, kayaking is just plain fun. There’s something so cool about actually being out on the water, paddling through Florida’s natural environment instead of just looking at it from the shore. My grandmother is 74, so I let her ride up front in the “princess seat” while I did most of the work 😂 — but honestly, I didn’t even have to paddle as hard as I expected! The weather was absolutely perfect, and the bioluminescence was INCREDIBLE. We got to see the bioluminescent dinoflagellates (Pyrodinium bahamense) SO CLEARLY. Every paddle stroke made the water glitter and glow around our kayaks. I absolutely loved the “fire water” effect! We even got to see—and catch—a few bioluminescent comb jellies, which was SO cool. Michael was an awesome guide and gave us so many interesting specifics about the plankton, wildlife, and ecosystem. I’ll admit, some of the science went a little over my head 😂, but it was genuinely fascinating and made the experience so much more meaningful. I loved learning what we were actually seeing instead of just being taken out on the water. And the wildlife!! We saw dolphins in the dark, pretty sure we accidentally ran over a couple of sharks 😂, and got to see some shy manatees. There were SO many birds—ospreys, herons, pelicans, and even night herons! We didn’t come across any gators, which I was perfectly happy about. 😂 And somehow, we basically had the entire waterway to ourselves. There was nobody else on our tour, so it felt like we had a private experience out there, which was absolutely wonderful. There were some bugs, but honestly nothing terrible. We just used a little bug repellant and did fine. I would recommend bringing your own water and wearing long sleeves and pants just to be comfortable. But expect to get very wet! That’s just kayaking! What I especially loved about this experience is that it felt like REAL FLORIDA. We were out in nature, surrounded by wildlife, paddling through the Florida waterways and experiencing something you simply can’t replicate at a theme park. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good theme park, but if you’re visiting Florida, make time to get out and experience the Florida that exists beyond the parks. These are the kinds of experiences you actually remember. And I really loved supporting A Day Away Kayak Tours as a small, privately owned business. You can tell that this is something they genuinely care about, rather than just another big tourist operation trying to get people through the door. My grandmother had the BEST time, and getting to finally do something we’d talked about doing for years together made this such a special birthday memory. If you’re considering doing a bioluminescence tour, DO IT. Go kayaking. Get out on the water. See the “fire water.” Experience the wildlife. Experience the REAL Florida. And definitely give this small business some love while you’re at it. We had an absolutely fantastic time!
via Tripadvisor
Late night kayaking
Cody was our guide and he was absolutely amazing! He was so knowledgeable and made us feel safe with our surroundings! I would highly recommend this to anyone!!
via Tripadvisor
All round great experience
The first day we arrived and within 2 minutes of having our paddles handed out at the briefing, thunder rumbled. Our trip ended up cancelled due to inclement weather in the area as it needed to be 5 miles out before we could launch. The storm came in really quickly from a very beautiful hot sunny day with no clouds to suddenly dark clouds and thunder which just hung around the area not budging. We had the option of staying around which we did but gave up after 2 hours of waiting which was eating into our kayaking time. Our guide Dylan was great at keeping us informed and wasn't pushing us either way, it was our choice to call it. It's a shame we didn't get to go out with him. With our raincheck, the rebooking process was a quick call the next day to the office and we were booked for the following night. We were a family of four with two teens. We made our way to the launch site wondering if we'd get to go and if not we'd have to properly raincheck until next year but all was well and we got onto the water in good time.. This time our guide was Matthew with Anthony as our sweep. We've done kayaking previously in Brevard County on various water bodies, but this was the first time we had a sweep which was comforting to know.. also Anthony was very funny with some crazy anecdotes.. All round we had a great experience. We appreciated the small group as there was another operator in the area with loads of customers which seemed to dilute the experience plus they had a very shouty and crude guide.. Matthew cleverly kept us away from the big group so the experience felt like more of an adventure than a tourist hotspot. We saw dolphins, tons of manatees, the red eyes of a gator and best of all the biolouminiscene. We managed to get the moon as a Waning Cresent (the day before a new moon) so it was really dark.. perfect conditions for bioluminiscene.. . Matthew took is beyond the federal rookery and gave us a science lesson on the dinoflagellates, asking questions for all ages and answering a bombardment of questions by a young girl. As a marine zoologist by trade, the pitch of the science was great for all ages so it was nice for my boys to hear the science from someone other than me! The glow in the water was spectacular and something quite magical. The expedition gave us a good work out and when I say we got to see lots of wildlife, we did, but they only thing I didn't see were the mozzies and no see ums. I've always been immune to mosquitoes but this trip I was devoured by them, as were two others in our family, yet we'd all used different insect repellent with 50% Deet and had insect repellent bands on our arms and legs and long sleeves tops on which they managed to bite through. The remaining member of our family who happened to be at the front of my tandem kayak got one bite on his ear... They were obviously too busy eating me to bother with him! As we moved through the mangroves after sunset and then into open water we were under attack. As I say I've never been a favourite of mozzies even on previous mangrove encounters in kayaks but this clearly was their day to feast on me. It didn't spoil the trip as I was busy paddling out looking for wildlife or making the bioluminiscene glow. The only negative is I wished we'd been able to paddle out to the rookery before sunset and see as many birds as possible before it got dark. The distraction by Matthew, as mentioned earlier, was to keep us away from the big group of customers with the other operator and I appreciate every trip is different, but my only wish next time would be daylight hours at the federal rookery island. We can't thank the guides enough and recommend this trip as a great experience for all ages. We will go back and perhaps try a different tour but certainly glad we booked with A Day Away.
via Tripadvisor
The best experience in Florida
To start with this is the first time I've ever felt compelled to write a review on trip advisor, it was just that incredible. We booked the tour the day before we went and were really lucky it was just our family on the tour. We were nervous driving the 90mins to the launch site from our villa as there was a large storm, we met the tour guide at the launch site and there was still lightening close by, but rather than just cancelling he gave us some time to see if it would pass and it did. Our tour Guide was Ashton who was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. He was also super patient with our novice group and with both our teenagers asking constant questions. We launched in the rain which was actually very fun. Our guide pointed out so much wildlife and gave such amazing commentary on what we were seeing and making sure we didnt miss anything. The tour was very respectful of the wildlife and was timed very well. We were never rushed. The sunset was incredible and blew us away, bird island was beautiful and we saw manatees, crabs, mullets, shrimp, tarpon and so many species of birds. Then when it got dark the Bioluminescence was incredible and our photos will never do it justice! I will remember this trip forever and it has been my most favourite thing we've done while in Florida and we've been talking about it all day today My only regret is that I assumed the tour guide would have an app or QR code to tip at the end and they don't, definitely something they should look in to as we did not have cash in our car. The instructions to follow to the launch site were really clear and it was easy to find. Cost wise this trip is very reasonable and when we return to Florida this will be top of my list of things to book. Q
via Tripadvisor
3-hour eco/kayak tour on the Mosquito River in Titusville, Florida, with Ricky as your guide:
We had an absolutely AMAZING experience on our eco kayak tour on the Mosquito River in Titusville! 🌿🦋🌊 Our guide, Ricky, was fantastic! He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire 3-hour adventure so much fun. We saw SO much wildlife—dolphins, alligators, horseshoe crabs, stingrays, tons of manatees, and more birds than I could possibly name! 🐬🐊🐢🦅 But the real magic happened after dark! ✨ The bioluminescence in the water was absolutely breathtaking. Watching the water light up around our kayaks was an experience I will never forget. We even got to see comb jellies and blue crabs! This tour was so much more than just kayaking—it was an incredible opportunity to experience Florida’s natural beauty up close, and Ricky made it even more memorable. If you’re anywhere near Titusville, DO THIS TOUR! You won’t regret it. We would absolutely do it again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 79
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by A Day Away Kayak Tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 80.0.
See everything A Day Away Kayak Tours runsWhy this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cocoa Beach.
How much does Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour cost?
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Prices start at $95 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cocoa Beach usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cocoa Beach is not rushed.
Is Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 227 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cocoa Beach, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour?
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Around 79 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cocoa Beach can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cocoa Beach and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cocoa Beach within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cocoa Beach?
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Cocoa Beach sells surf lessons, airboat rides on the St Johns, bioluminescent kayak paddles in summer and rocket launch viewing cruises, with Kennedy Space Center a short drive north. On Outty we rank every Cocoa Beach experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mangrove Tunnels, Dolphins, Manatee Tour #1 Rated in Cocoa Beach, Wizard of OZ Museum tour, Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cocoa Beach?
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March to May and September to November; check launch schedules before booking. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cocoa Beach?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour?
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Included: Kayak; Professional guide; PFD; Paddle; and 2 hour kayak tour. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour?
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Launching from Haulover Canal - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge https://goo.gl/maps/726pkP1XvoQm2eXP8 Haulover Canal Launch Site is 20 minutes east of Titusville on the NW corner of Haulover Canal. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cocoa Beach. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Manatees/Sunset/Bioluminescence Kayak Tour?
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Across 227 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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