Cocoa Beach Kayaking Tours: the 11 Best to Book

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

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

Paddle Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands with a guide such as James, Ian, Susie, or Michael. You’ll move through open lagoon water and narrow mangrove tunnels while looking for manatees, dolphins, tarpon, stingrays, crabs, and birds. Tours last about 2.5 hours, include kayaks and photos, and limit groups to 10 people.

“Fun, exciting, totally different experience. Kayak took us through Mangroves, seeing manatees along the way. Best time we had in Cocoa Beach.”

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2.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

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

Paddle for about two hours through the calm waters near Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with a guide such as Matt, Aidan, Caleb, or Zoey. Summer brings cloudy blue-green dinoflagellate glow. Winter brings clear, harmless comb jellies you may hold. Kayak, paddle, and PFD are included.

“My friend and I did the night kayak in February. It wasn’t high season for the algae (which we knew) but we did see a lot of jellies. Caleb was extremely knowledgeable and tailored the trip for our group since we had 5 people. Overall a great experience and now we want to come back in the summer!”

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3.Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

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

Meet your guide at Haulover Canal for a 90-minute paddle through the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. You’ll learn about bioluminescence, watch comb jellies glow beneath your kayak, and may spot dolphins or hear manatees. Guides including Faith, Brea, Seven, Leslie, and Leo have led outings.

“Getting to see the bioluminescence and the peacefulness of kayaking at night under the stars. Our guide Seven did a really nice job of sharing information about the location and the wildlife within it.”

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4.Bioluminescent Clear Kayak Tours in Titusville

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

Meet at Haulover Canal for a short safety lesson, then paddle a clear kayak across the Indian River Lagoon at night. Watch bioluminescent life glow beneath you, look for fish, gators, snakes, dolphins, manatees, and birds, and hear natural and space-program stories from guides such as Celeste, Anthony, and Blane.

“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.”

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

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

Launch at Haulover Canal near Mims and paddle the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Guides such as Noah, Logan, Katie, and Captain Mike point out manatees, dolphins, birds, alligators, horseshoe crabs, and mangrove wildlife. The 90-minute tour includes equipment and photos sent afterward.

“We had an amazing time and learned so much about the wildlife and the preservation of the seashore! Would recommend for all!”

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

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

Spend about two hours kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding through Cocoa Beach’s Banana River Manatee Refuge and Thousand Islands Conservation Area. Guides such as Riley, Jack, Christian, and Roman share local wildlife facts while you look for dolphins, manatees, storks, spoonbills, and more. Kayaks, boards, paddles, and lifejackets are included.

“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”

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7.Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour

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

At Haulover Canal near Cocoa Beach, you’ll spend about two hours paddling a stable kayak after sunset, watching tiny living organisms flash blue in the water. Guides such as Island, Ross, Lauren, Coral, and John add wildlife knowledge and humor. Expect possible manatees, dolphins, nocturnal birds, stars, and plenty of mosquitoes, so bring repellent and dry clothes.

“Kayaking with manatees was an unforgettable experience! Our guide, Island, was amazing and very knowledgeable! He handled constant questions from a 9 year old boy with ease and even added some humor!”

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8.Bioluminescence Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour Near Orlando

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

Paddle from Merritt Island at sunset, then search the Indian River Lagoon for glowing fish and comb jellies. Epic Paddle Adventures supplies clear kayaks or paddleboards, paddles, life vests, safety lights, and dry bags. Guides such as Bob, Savannah, Mike, and Logan lead the two-hour outing, though the glow depends on nature.

“All of the five guides really look out for your safety, they help you enjoy your time while being safe and seeing the whole under world. I recommend this for every one just to stend quality time with your loved ones and see all of the amazing creatures.”

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9.Clear Kayak Guided Kayak Tours in Titusville

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

You’ll paddle a clear kayak through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with an English-speaking guide from Get Up And Go Kayaking. Expect a small group of no more than 10, supplied equipment, and chances to spot manatees, dolphins, birds, fish, and other wildlife. Check the meeting location and tour length carefully, since the details list both 90 minutes and two hours.

“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.”

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10.Bioluminescent Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboard Sit-On-Top Kayak Hybrid Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $150

Spend about 90 minutes paddling clear-bottom kayaks on the Indian River Waterway near Merritt Island. Guides such as Chayse, Mike, Jeremiah, and Noah explain the glowing plankton and comb jellies as your paddle stirs blue light. Kayaks, life jackets, and dry bags are included, but bring water, bug spray, and dry clothes.

“Jeremiah was an awesome guide, very thorough with instructions for first timers and informative throughout the tour... Very cool and my son cought and released 16 jellyfish”

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11.Cocoa Beach: Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 69 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Paddle for two hours through Cocoa Beach’s mangroves and waterways by kayak or paddle board. Guides such as Jack and Spencer explain local wildlife and history while you look for dolphins, manatees, turtles, pelicans, spoonbills, and live conch. The route includes the Banana River Manatee Refuge and a 30-minute pass by the Thousand Islands Conservation Area.

“We had a great trip! Jack was an amazing guide.”

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