Kayaking Near Orlando

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful daytime eco-tour or a mesmerizing night in the bioluminescence, kayaking near Orlando is the ultimate Florida bucket-list experience.

Where Can I Kayak With Dolphins and Manatees and See Bioluminescence in Florida?

Some of the best spots to see dolphins and manatees are Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Mullethead Island, while Florida’s Space Coast is the perfect place to see bioluminescence. Book our Manatee and Dolphin Encounter Kayak Tour, and you’ll get a chance to see adorable dolphins and more. You may also see osprey, pelicans, horseshoe crabs, and spoonbills. Available year-round, you’ll have 90 minutes to observe the beautiful marine creatures.

Book our Sunset Bioluminescence Tour to see manatees and dolphins, as well as experience the dinoflagellate bioluminescence. Make your experience unforgettable by booking a Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour from us. You’ll get a chance to see every movement below you, possibly including manatees and dolphins.

Is It Worth Adding a Kayak Tour While Visiting Orlando?

Maximize your visit to Orlando by adding a clear kayak or private tour for a more personalized experience. Some of our kayak tours are available year-round, while others are only from May to early November. You don’t need previous kayak experience to enjoy our tours fully. Our guides are experienced, and you don’t need to bring paddling equipment. We also provide life jackets and a whistle for each participant.

You can book our day tours to see manatees and dolphins and our night tours for the bioluminescence experience. Don’t worry; manatees are seen most times of the year, so you’ll likely see one during your tour at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Choose Your Adventure

Choose the perfect vessel for your journey. All rentals include paddles, life jackets (PFDs), and a brief safety orientation

Perfect for families and photographers, our daytime tours explore the mangrove-lined shores of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Our expert guides share the history of the area and help you spot the "Big Three": Manatees, Dolphins, and Alligators.

Families, photographers, beginners.
90 minutes to 2 hours

As the sun sets, the water begins to sparkle. Every stroke of your paddle creates a trail of neon light. This is a rare natural phenomenon that occurs in very few places on Earth, and Cape Canaveral is the heart of it.

Summer Season: May–October
Winter Season: November–April

Experience the transition from day to night. Watch a breathtaking Florida sunset over the water before paddling back under the light of the moon. It is the most peaceful way to experience the Space Coast.

Families, photographers, beginners.
90 minutes to 2 hours

Who Can Kayak, and How Far Are the Tours?

Anyone aged 5 years and up is allowed on our kayak tours. Bring the entire family to see incredible marine life.

Most tours last 90 minutes and cover about 3 miles. While you don’t need to be extremely fit to kayak, there may be strong winds on some days, requiring you to exert more effort. Don’t worry, though — we have guides who can help. Are you planning to visit Orlando? Contact A Day Away Kayak Tours today so we can help plan your tours or customize them. Get in touch with us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know Before Getting You Out There

Do I need any experience to participate in a kayak tour?

Our tours are for everyone. Probably one third of our customers are first time kayakers. The inexperienced paddler easily enjoys many day tours. We do encourage everyone to stay in shape, especially if choosing one of our extended adventure tours. Of course this will enhance your experience, but it is not required. We do ask that you bring a good sense of humor and the willingness to be flexible if we encounter the unexpected. Adventure travel inherently requires an open mind. All of our tour pages show an adventure matrix below the next available departure date. This matrix gives an idea of what level of comfort and challenge you may expect on that particular tour.

We also do our best to accommodate our handicap guests and appreciate your spirit in taking on challenge and living life to its fullest.

Can I bring my kids?

Children are welcome on our kayak tours and we encourage families to play together. At the same time, it is wise to know your children well enough to know their limitations. We have 5 year olds who come regularly with their parents and absolutely love it – sharing space in the front of a tandem kayak. We have also had 11-year-olds who worked a number on their family during their tour. We don’t recommend children under 5, however if your 3 to 4-year-old is capable of being in a confined space for long periods of time they too can enjoy a family outing sharing a tandem kayak with a parent. You must determine whether your little one is capable of sitting in a kayak for up to 90 minutes. If you are thinking of allowing your child to paddle a single kayak we have found at least 11-12 yrs of age to work, though we have had a couple of athletic 10-year-olds who make fine paddlers. We encourage you to let them try to go it alone if they want to. We are prepared to be helpful if the paddling becomes difficult.

**All nighttime tours have an age minimum of 5. No exceptions.

How far do we kayak?

Most trips are 90 minutes on the water and about 3 miles of actual distance covered. Trips in other rivers vary and will be described on the webpage that covers that particular trip. Each trip also displays a trip matrix below the next departure date on the webpage for that particular trip. This gives you a snapshot of the level of comfort and challenge you can expect for each particular trip.

How many participants will be on a trip?

We try to keep our group sizes down so that every person on the trips receives ample time to ask questions and receive assistance with individual needs. Summer time bioluminescent trips tend to be large on the weekends. We will divide these trips into smaller groups to insure safety and enjoyment.

What kind of kayak will I be using?

We primarily use double kayaks on our trips. Most of our kayaks are late model Wilderness System Kayaks. Our doubles are primarily Pamlico 135’s and for singles Pungo 120’s (sit-in) and Tarpon 120’s (sit-on). The kayaks you will be using are chosen with comfort and stability in mind. On most tours guests share a double kayak however a limited number of singles are available at A Day Away’s discretion. Singles kayaks are used to meet the need of odd numbered parties.

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If you plan to kayak in Florida, we are your gateway. We specialize in large group kayak rentals and tours from all over the state of Florida.

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Unforgettable day and night kayak tours in Titusville, Cocoa Beach, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.