Kayaking Near Cocoa Beach

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

What’s the Best Time to Go Kayaking Near Cocoa Beach?

The best time for kayaking near Cocoa Beach is during the pleasant months of fall and spring. With the scorching heat of summer waning, these seasons offer comfortable temperatures and calmer waters. Wildlife enthusiasts may prefer the summer months as they bring an abundance of marine life.

Will I See Bioluminescence Near Cocoa Beach?

Bioluminescence is one of the most captivating sights you can witness in Florida. The peak season to witness this phenomenon is from July to October when the waters of the Banana River and Indian River Lagoon come alive with ethereal blue-green light created by countless tiny organisms. Our experienced guides are well-versed in the region’s ecology and ensure an enchanting nighttime escapade, where each paddle stroke sets the water aglow, creating a surreal experience that leaves you spellbound.

Who Can Kayak, and How Far Are the Tours?

We cater to individuals of all ages and skill levels, from families with children to seasoned adventurers. We recommend children over age 5 for our kayaking trips, but children below this age who are comfortable in confined spaces can also join us. Our excursions typically last 90 minutes on the water, covering approximately 3 miles. Whether you’re looking for leisurely paddles through serene mangrove tunnels or exhilarating coastal explorations, we have you covered.

Is It Worth Adding a Kayak Tour While Visiting Cocoa Beach?

While Cocoa Beach boasts stunning sandy shores and vibrant beach culture, exploring the waters by kayak offers a whole new perspective. Our kayaks glide through narrow waterways teeming with life, where you can witness breathtaking sunsets casting a golden hue over the horizon.

Choose from our wide range of kayak tours, including our Merritt Island National Wildlife tour, Mondo Combo Refuge Kayak tour, private tours, bioluminescent tours and moonlight tours.

Whether you’re coming with family or friends, we can provide an experience that’s as captivating and diverse as Florida’s coastline. Book your adventure today, and prepare to discover the beauty that awaits just a paddle away.

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

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.