In the cooler Florida months, bioluminescent Comb Jellies congregate in the protected waters of the Indian River Lagoon. Living in the most bio-diverse estuary in North America, Comb Jellies are clear, glob-like creatures that, despite their name, do not sting! So as you paddle the calm waters laced with mangroves and palm trees, you can catch and hold these gentle glowing creatures. They’re right at your fingertips while having a safe, awe-inspiring kayak adventure with those who share your enthusiasm for new and unique experiences. See for yourself in our Comb Jelly video!
Sunset is a magical time on the waters in Merritt Island. There is movement everywhere. Dolphins are rounding up their dinner, manatees are moving into the shallows to find a comfortable spot to spend the night. As the light fades and the sky ignites with dynamics color. Launch into your escape.
Make close contact with these lovable Sea Cows on The Merritt Island Refuge; one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet with a great concentration of marine life including, Dolphin, many kinds of birds, the occasional gator, and over 32 endangered species.
Available April-October
Sometimes you just want it all and it’s the right thing to do. This tour is designed to showcase all the best paddling the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge has to offer in one focused time slot. This is a longer tour lasting approximately three hours based on available wildlife.
Available Year Round
Spend time paddling where you enjoy it most; do it with the people you choose at the time you need to go. Give us a call to schedule a tour designed to meet your special requests.
Available Year Round (any day of the week)
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 puddle 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.
A Day Away Kayak Tours serves kayakers visiting all areas of Central Florida. We offer the following kayak tours: Moonlight Tours, Sunrise & Sunset Tours, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Tours, Manatee Encounter Tours, Silver River Tours, Private Refuge Tours and our specialty is Bioluminescent Tours.
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