From neon-blue waves to glowing crystal-clear views, find the night tour that speaks to your spirit of discovery.
In the warm summer months, the water teems with tiny organisms called Dinoflagellates. Every stroke of your paddle, the darting of a fish, or the glide of a dolphin creates a trail of electric blue light. It’s an immersive experience often compared to “fairy dust” or underwater fireworks.
During the cooler months, the lagoon fills with Comb Jellies—clear, prehistoric-looking creatures that do not sting. They emit a soft, ethereal glow when touched. These gentle creatures are safe to catch and hold, making it a hands-on adventure for all ages.
Start your journey as the sun dips below the horizon. Watch thousands of birds return to roost at Mullethead Island and look for dolphins and manatees in the golden light. As darkness falls, the bioluminescence begins to sparkle, giving you two incredible experiences in one tour.
For those who want it all. This extended 3-hour tour is designed to showcase the very best of the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. We focus on maximizing wildlife sightings—including manatees and dolphins—before transitioning into the bioluminescent magic of the night.
Why choose between a stunning Florida sunset and the magic of bioluminescence when you can have both? This tour is designed for those who want to witness the full transition of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge from day to night, all while seated in our premier clear-bottom kayaks.
See the magic right beneath your feet! Our clear-bottom kayaks offer a window into the glowing depths. Watch as “shooting stars” of light rush under your seat and fish illuminate the water like glowing torpedoes. This is the most immersive way to experience the lagoon.
Experience a truly out-of-this-world experience in the summer months of the Space Coast. From June to October, the waters of the Indian, Banana, and Mosquito Lagoon come alive with one of the world’s natural phenomena.
Every year, visitors worldwide see pulsing Comb Jellies and glittering dinoflagellates that create mystical light shows. While its function isn’t known for all animals, bioluminescence is typically used to evade or warn predators.
Visitors embark on an inexplicable experience on kayak excursions from many guided bioluminescence tours on the Florida coast. Waters come alive with bioluminescence, shining like stars in the night.
Florida has many beautiful places where visitors can see glowing algae and other sea creatures, including the Banana River and the Indian River, also known as Florida’s “Bioluminescent Bay.”
Some popular places visitors can see bioluminescence in Florida include:
Bioluminescence is the light produced by a chemical reaction in living organisms. While relatively rare on land, it’s a very common phenomenon in the ocean. Every stroke of the paddle and move made by the mullet and manatees below the surface shows a mesmerizing spectacle that can only be experienced in a few places worldwide.
Bioluminescence season typically begins in late May or June. However, July and September are usually the peak of the bioluminescence season. We encourage visitors to book a tour with A Day Away Kayak Tours during a new moon, which amplifies the shimmering stars and glittering water. Other factors that may affect bioluminescence glow are rain and storms. Our guides will always do their best to take visitors to where it’s most brilliant.
Bioluminescence only occurs in animal species that contain luciferin. Depending on the animal, this molecule produces greenish-blue light when it reacts to oxygen. Some organisms produce luciferase, which catalyzes luciferin oxidation, causing them to glow.
Interestingly, some animals can control when they light up and glow by regulating their brain and chemistry. Bioluminescent animals do this depending on their immediate needs, such as eating or mating.
Many marine organisms are bioluminescent, including bacteria, algae, jellyfish, sea stars, worms, fish, sharks, and crustaceans. Some animals also ingest bacteria and other bioluminescent organisms, allowing them to light up and glow.
Dinoflagellates are single-celled organisms found in rivers, streams, freshwater ponds, and oceans. They’re commonly called algae and have nearly 2,000 recorded living species. What makes dinoflagellates remarkable is that they can glow in the dark.
These interesting facts about dinoflagellates will astound even the avid adventurers:
Because moonlight affects how visitors can see the glowing bioluminescent plankton and other luminous sea creatures, we recommend picking a pitch-dark night with as little moonlight as possible or no moon (no glare of the moon on the water’s surface).
The best seasons to book a bioluminescent kayaking tour are May and September. July and August are often the peak seasons for kayaking, as dinoflagellates also appear bright every night. October to April is Glowing Jellies season. There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than when nature is stranger than fiction.
A Day Away Kayak Tours offers nature’s safest and most enchanting bioluminescent experience, no wishing required. We select the best tour times that coincide with the peak of bioluminescence, ensuring every customer gets the most out of their adventure.
Comb jellies are oval-shaped creatures that get their name from comb-like plates they use to propel themselves in water. These plates diffract and reflect light, giving a shimmering effect. They’re a spectacle for many visitors kayaking in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
However, many people don’t know much about Comb Jellies; some have never heard of it. Here are some fun facts about these amazing creatures to keep in mind:
A Day Away Kayak Tours is the first clear bioluminescent kayaking company in Florida that takes visitors to see the amazing glowing organisms. We offer visitors the best visual experience of glowing blue waters. Experience Florida’s premier clear bioluminescent kayaking adventures at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. There’s no better feeling than paddling in a clear kayak that truly enhances the customer’s bioluminescence viewing experience.
We also specialize in large group kayak tours and rentals from all over Florida and have well-trained guides to give visitors clear and helpful instructions. View our FAQs page for more information about the captivating bioluminescence world, transforming our waters into a magical spectacle.
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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.
Unforgettable day and night kayak tours in Titusville, Cocoa Beach, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
