It’s an encounter unlike any other as you spend the morning floating gently in the endangered manatee’s favorite lounging spots on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. These friendly Florida herbivores just love to nuzzle, grip, and cuddle your kayak for a truly magical morning.

The kayaking adventure continues with a search for playful dolphins, often fishing actively nearby. As if beholding these majestic mammals in their element isn’t enough, you’ll likely enjoy many other Florida natives including pelicans, osprey, roseate spoonbills, horseshoe crabs, and even the occasional gator.

As visitors in the manatee’s natural habitat, you can expect to observe and study the famed Sea Cows. Keep in mind that we seek not to disturb, overwhelm, or disrupt the manatee’s natural behaviors, but rather let you experience them on their terms. Your voice may reach a new octave as you ooh and ahh, but you can be sure they’ll just keep doing their adorable and friendly (but curious) thing.

What to Bring:

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Experience the freedom of Florida’s waterways with our premium kayak and paddleboard rentals. Whether you’re a pro or a first-timer, we provide everything you need—top-tier gear, safety equipment, and expert local advice—to explore the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge at your own pace. Simply reserve, launch, and reconnect with nature.

What Are Some Facts About Dolphins

It’s no surprise why so many love dolphins. These beautiful mammals have a charming spirit and appearance that’s easy to appreciate. There are currently more than 40 species of dolphins, but the bottlenose dolphin is the one you’ll most likely see during your time in Florida.

Dolphins have a lifespan of 20+ years, depending on the species. Orcas, also known as Killer Whales, are the largest species in the dolphin family. Females have a maximum lifespan of up to 90 years in their natural habitat, and males have a maximum lifespan of up to 60 years.

What Are Some Facts About Manatees

Manatees also referred to as sea cows, are adorable, gentle, gray mammals. Florida manatees are specifically native to The Sunshine State. They can weigh a whopping 3,000+ pounds and like to spend their time in many Florida waterways, including rivers and along the coast.

What Is the Best Time to See Manatees in Florida

The end of fall through early spring, typically November through April, is usually the best time of the year to see manatees in Florida. Watch for them as we glide through the waters during your kayaking tour of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Happily chomping on seagrass, manatees live in tandem with many bird species and other wildlife.

Why Choose A Day Away?

A Day Away Kayak Tours prides itself on combining outdoor adventure with education. We’ve been operating for over a decade and have used our extensive experience to develop popular kayaking tours, including sunset bioluminescence kayaking tours and manatee and dolphin daytime tours, that let our guests have memorable experiences.

We’re lucky to have knowledgeable guides who help the tours go safely and smoothly while providing ample knowledge about the area and animals you’ll see in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Safety is paramount, and all guests must wear life vests.

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