Kayaking Near Cape Canaveral

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

Why Go Kayaking Near
Cape Canaveral?

Located at the intersection of temperate and subtropical climates, the waters surrounding Cape Canaveral are part of the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. When you paddle with us, you aren’t just getting a workout—you’re entering a world of natural marvels:

Up-Close Wildlife: Encounter playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, gentle Florida manatees, and over 300 species of birds.
Rocket Launch Views: There is no seat in the house quite like a kayak. Watch a rocket pierce the sky while you float on the calm waters of the lagoon.
The World’s Best Bioluminescence: Cape Canaveral is world-renowned for its nighttime glow. From glowing plankton (Dinoflagellates) in the summer to shimmering Comb Jellies in the winter, the water comes alive with light.

Why Pick A Day Away?

We offer top kayak tours in Central Florida with skilled guides to assist beginners. Choose from various options, such as private and bioluminescent tours. Explore spots such as Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach, close to Disney World and Universal Orlando. Whether day or night, A Day Away Kayak Tours promises an unforgettable adventure. Book now to enjoy the beauty of Cape Canaveral from the water.

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.

Real Stories From Our Guests

by over 500 reviews

4.9+ Google rating

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.

    
 
 
         
   Lauren Savaglio 
 June 19, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We did the manatee and dolphin tour this morning with our guide, Zoey. We had two small children too. It was an incredible tour! We saw about a dozen of manatees. They were nudging our kayaks, rolling over, playing…it was incredible. Zoey didn’t rush us at all and taught us all about the wildlife there and conservation efforts. Zoey went at our speed (perfect with our two littles). We saw some dolphins at the end, and different birds. I cannot recommend this tour and Zoey enough. My kids have already asked me when we can go again.
  
 
        
   Su Lim 
 June 18, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a great experience. All the tour guides were very nice and attentive and aimed for everyone having a good time. We saw abundant of glittering sparkling beings in the water, and a sliver of new moon with the string of planets hanging from the sky. It was magical! Watch out for the mosquitoes though, they bite through T-shirts and tights. Make sure you lather up good with OFF.
  
 
        
   Kimberly “Kim” Gardiner 
 June 11, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing time on the bioluminescence tour!  Jorge is a great guide.
  
 
        
   JESSICA 
 March 28, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jackson was a great guide! Only my friend and I were booked-so we had a private tour of the area. We saw an Osprey fish, tarpon and mullet jump plus a couple of comb jellies. Jackson was knowledgeable about the area, kayaking and the comb jellies. He managed to catch one that we could hold.
  
 
        
   Jerry Vartabedian 
 February 19, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Are your guide was packed full of information about the wildlife     she was very accommodating.  My family greatly enjoyed the experience.
  
 
        
   Marcy Bauer 
 February 6, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The nighttime kayak experience was so cool - what a unique way to see this region. Found some bioluminescent comb jellies, saw dolphins and nocturnal birds. The guide was wonderful…very informative and personable. Highly recommend!
  
 
        
   Melissa Eckroth 
 December 17, 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was my second time booking with A Day Away Kayak Tours, and it was even better than the first. I booked a sunset bioluminescent tour and went solo, and I felt completely comfortable and well taken care of from start to finish. The tour was well organized, welcoming, and perfectly paced.

Zoey was an outstanding guide—super friendly, incredibly knowledgeable about the local ecosystem, and always attentive to safety while still keeping the experience adventurous. She was conscientious about wildlife spotting and made sure I didn’t miss a thing. Thanks to her, I was able to see dolphins, a stingray, and even catch comb jellies, which was such a unique highlight.

Watching the sunset transition into bioluminescence on the water was absolutely magical. I also really appreciated Zoey sharing photos from the tour afterward—such a thoughtful touch. Whether you’re solo or with a group, I highly recommend A Day Away Kayak Tours. I’ll definitely be booking again.
  
 
        
   Kesstae 
 October 16, 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tour guide was friendly, I learned about phytoplankton and comb jellies.
  
 
        
   Melissa Sentell 
 September 20, 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a wonderful experience on the  Mondo Combo tour! The bioluminescence was beautiful! Jackson, our guide was knowledgeable and so much fun! He helped our boys catch comb jellies. The manatees were a highlight! We also saw dolphins and so many species of birds!
  
 
        
   Danielle Oster 
 August 28, 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a beautiful night to be out on the water, and I took my parents along. They enjoyed the experience overall, though my dad was paired with a stranger who kept calling out for her daughter and our group, which was a little distracting. The guide was very knowledgeable, but I personally felt the explanations went on a bit too long—I was eager to keep paddling so we could fully enjoy the bioluminescence in motion. He had was wade in the water and listen. On the bright side, there was a meteor shower that night, and I saw the biggest shooting star of my life, which was an unforgettable highlight!
  
 
  
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 22 reviews