Best Cocoa Beach Kayaking Tours: Our Top 13

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

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

Join Cocoa Kayaking for a 2.5-hour paddle through Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands. Guides such as James, Ian, Susie, and Michael share local ecology while you search for manatees, dolphins, birds, tarpon, stingrays, and crabs. Small groups cap at 10, photos are included, and the 9:00 am departure offers the best wildlife odds.

“Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable, great personality, and answered all our questions. Saw manatees and dolphins, loved it!”

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2.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

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

Paddle a calm lagoon near Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with guides such as Matt, Aidan, Caleb, Sean, or Zoey. Summer trips focus on blue-green dinoflagellate glow, while winter tours feature harmless glowing comb jellies. The two-hour outing suits beginners, but bring clothes that can get wet and time your booking carefully for the best display.

“this tour was so cool! our guide Matt was amazing. He was very knowledgable concerning the science behind the experience. It was a bit cold out there on the water in the dark in Feb but, we still had a blast!! would for sure recommend”

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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 Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Your kayak, paddle, and life jacket are included. Guides such as Faith, Brea, Seven, Leslie, and Leo have helped make the glowing comb jellyfish, dolphins, manatees, and starry sky the highlights of this small-group outing.

“Brea was an excellent tour guide giving our small group plenty of opportunities to see the bioluminescent comb jellyfish. She is very knowledgeable so you will learn a lot about the area. We also saw some dolphins in the moonlight and could hear the manatees come up for air. It is a great trip!”

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4.Florida Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour (Titusville)

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

Kayak Haulover Canal or the Banana River for about 90 minutes as plankton and comb jellies glow around your paddle. Guides including Terrance, Brian, Jeremiah, and Clint explain the refuge, help beginners, and point out fish and wildlife. Bring bug spray, aquatic shoes, and a towel.

“An all out amazing experience. We enjoyed ourselves. We will definitely go again when we make our next visit to Florida.”

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5.Bioluminescent Clear Kayak Tours in Titusville

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

Launch at Haulover Canal near Titusville for a 90-minute night paddle in a fully clear kayak. Guides such as Celeste, Blane, and Anthony explain the glowing plankton, local wildlife, and nearby space program. Expect a quick lesson, dark water, possible fish, dolphins, manatees, gators, and stars.

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

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

Launch from Haulover Canal near Titusville for a guided 90-minute paddle through Florida’s wildlife-rich waterways. Florida Adventurer supplies the kayak, paddle, and PFD. Guides such as Brian, Zach, and Tyler point out manatees, dolphins, birds, stingrays, and alligators, though sightings are never guaranteed.

“Our guide Trevor was very knowledgeable, laid back, and fun. We were able to see a ton of manatee "playing" in the water, a jellyfish, dolphin, stingrays and horseshoe crabs. Definitely a good time!”

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

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

At Haulover Canal near Cocoa Beach, you’ll paddle the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon in a kayak or on a standup paddleboard. Guides such as Noah, Logan, Katie, and Mike point out manatees, dolphins, birds, alligators, comb jellies, and horseshoe crabs. The small group lasts about 90 minutes, with photos sent afterward.

“Katie was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable and fun. She took us in the center of the manatees and through a great mangrove trail. We even saw an alligator!!! She took amazing pics of the group. It was an amazing tour! Highly recommend!”

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

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

Paddle from Cocoa Beach into the Banana River Manatee Refuge and Thousand Islands Conservation Area. Choose a one or two-person kayak or stand-up paddleboard, then follow guides such as Riley, Jack, Roman, or Christian in search of dolphins, manatees, birds, and unusual plants. The pace is easy, and children are welcome.

“Manatees, dolphins, sting rays, puffer fish, a black tip shark, jumping fish and beautiful birds on the conservation Island. Unforgettable!”

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9.Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour

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

Paddle for about two hours from Haulover Canal near Cocoa Beach as tiny marine organisms flash blue around your kayak. Guides such as Island, Ross, Lauren, and Harrison add wildlife insight and humor. Expect a gentle outing for beginners, but bring bug spray, long sleeves, and dry clothes. Weather and moonlight can affect what you see.

“We had a beautiful night. Full moon! Plenty of stars, dolphins, manatees. A little low on the bioluminescence but that was because of the full moon. Would wear long pants and long sleeves due to mosquitos! Bring bug spray. Overall great experience! Would go again!”

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10.Bioluminescence Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour Near Orlando

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

Paddle the Indian River Lagoon from Merritt Island as sunset fades into darkness. Guides such as Bob, Savannah, Bryce, Mike, and Logan may lead the outing, offering a short lesson, wildlife facts, safety help, and time to make glowing handprints or swim in the bioluminescent water when conditions allow.

“Bob, Katie, and Trevor did great! We had an awesome time, I was slightly nervous being out on a kayak that late at night but felt super safe with them. Would recommend doing as later tour to see more of the bio but the tour was great.”

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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, where manatees, dolphins, birds, fish, and other wildlife may appear beneath and around you. Your English-speaking guide supplies the kayak and safety gear, explains local conservation, and leads a group capped at 10 people. The tour lasts about 90 minutes, though one schedule lists 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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12.Bioluminescent Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboard Sit-On-Top Kayak Hybrid Tour!

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

Meet near Merritt Island or use the Cocoa Beach Country Club pickup point for a 90-minute night paddle with clear-bottom kayaks or paddleboards. Guides such as Mike, Chayse, Noah, and Jeremiah show you how to spot glowing plankton, comb jellies, and perhaps a manatee. Expect a small group of up to 12, calm water, and mosquitoes.

“The mosquitoes are ravenous out on the water. So, make sure you take your guide up on when they offer their "industrial strength mosquito repellent" and slather it everywhere - even over your clothes. But, braving the bugs is so worth it. The bioluminescent algae and comb jellies are beautiful. They produce a blue glow when the water is disturbed. We had a warm night with a light breeze, and it was lovely being out in the calm estuary. Our guide, Chayse, was great - upbeat, knowledgeable, and excited to share her passion for the natural beauty of the Merritt Island waterways. Bring a change of clothes, especially if you…”

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13.Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle Tour

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

Set out from 4800 Tom Warriner Blvd with Three Brothers Boards for a two-hour guided kayak or paddleboard trip through Cocoa Beach’s waterways. You may see dolphins, manatees, turtles, pelicans, spoonbills, and conch while learning about local nature and town history. Guides including Jack, Jake, and Spencer have earned praise for their friendly storytelling.

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

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