Paddle a clear-bottom kayak through bioluminescence near Kiwanis Island Park
1.5 Hours
Kayaks, paddles, lifejackets
Explore the Indian River Lagoon on a guided 1.5-hour clear-bottom kayak or paddleboard/sit-on-top hybrid tour. Glide through seasonal bioluminescence and watch the water glow around you.
A minimum of 2 people is required to operate the tour; you may be notified up to 2 hours prior if the minimum isn’t met. Weight limits vary by craft: single kayak 350 lb, tandem kayak 410 lb, hybrid 280 lb. Arrive 30 minutes early for waivers and restroom use.
Cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before tour launch are not eligible for a refund. Private reservations require 14 days notice for a refund. Parties greater than 14 attendees require 14 days notice for a refund.
Yes. Complete a waiver for each attendee (adults and children), one waiver per person, before you arrive so the tour can launch on time.
Wear activewear or beachwear and dress for getting a little wet. For bioluminescent tours, long sleeves and long pants are suggested due to mosquitos. Flip flops or water shoes work well; tennis shoes may get wet.
Bring water, sunscreen (apply it before you arrive), a hat and/or sunglasses, bug spray (if desired), and a towel.
951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island FL
Cocoa Kayaking delivers consistently exceptional mangrove tunnel tours with guides who clearly love what they do. The booking process is remarkably smooth, with online waivers and helpful staff like Genevieve making everything easy from the start. Once you're on the water, you'll understand why people keep coming back—the mangrove tunnels themselves are stunning, and wildlife encounters with manatees and dolphins are incredibly common, often happening just feet from your kayak. The guides are the real stars here. James (also known as "Turtle"), Ian, Captain Mike, Emily, and Noah each get glowing praise for being knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely engaged with their groups. They're skilled at spotting wildlife that you'd miss on your own, from comb jellies to manatees surfacing right beside kayaks. Even experienced kayakers mention that going with a guide made all the difference in experiencing the Banana River Lagoon. They take photos during the tour and send them afterward, handle all the logistics, and adjust the pace to suit everyone from three-year-olds to seasoned paddlers. Whether you're visiting from a cruise ship or planning a family outing, this operation has the experience and local knowledge to make it memorable.
Cocoa Kayaking very kindly and swiftly set up our family of four with a wildlife viewing kayak trip with Captain Michael. We had two small children and they were very kind and accommodating, even supplying us with pictures from our trip. We spotted a dolphin and several manatees. Highly recommend!
Rachel
April 6, 2026
Cocoa Kayaking very kindly and swiftly set up our family of four with a wildlife viewing kayak trip with Captain Michael. We had two small children and they were very kind and accommodating, even supplying us with pictures from our trip. We spotted a dolphin and several manatees. Highly recommend!
Rachel
April 6, 2026