Up To 3 Hours
Year-Round
OR CALL US
This is A Day Away’s “Have it Your Way” tour. On a Private Refuge Tour you have up to three hours to do exactly what you want enabling moments like the photos above that you, your friends and family will remember forever.
We offer itinerary ideas but you call the shots. If you like the idea of…
… then a private tour is just the thing for you.
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.
Although shared tours are fun, a private kayak tour gives you the freedom to tailor your adventure to your preferences. Whether you’d like to linger with manatees under the glow of bioluminescence or focus more on sightseeing, a private tour ensures you make the most of your experience. Paddling in clear kayaks enhances the magic, allowing you to see the sparkling bioluminescence not only around you but also beneath you, creating an unforgettable experience. You can adjust the activities to suit your interests, skipping anything that doesn’t appeal to you or spending extra time on what you enjoy most.
We recommend private tours if you prefer to have a more personalized experience or when you have children with you. Experienced guides are with you the entire time, helping you better maneuver your kayak and sharing exciting information about the area. You can paddle through the water slowly for groups with kids and not worry about the other participants. Most importantly, a private tour gives you an exclusive adventure — it’s always more fun when it’s just you and your loved ones. Our team also ensures you don’t miss anything exciting or fun during the tour. Our experience and skills help you make the most of your adventure.
More awesomeness to consider…
You will need to call the office at (321) 268-2655 to book your Private Refuge Tour as it is a custom tour it is unavailable for online booking. Private tours are available year round seven days a week.
Founded in 1996, A Day Away has more than 20 guides and years of industry experience. Apart from offering private kayak tours, we also provide kayaking classes, bioluminescence tours, night tours, and clear kayak tours. All tours include the equipment and tools necessary. Just bring your quick-dry clothes and bug spray. To help you save money, A Day Away offers group discounts for 12 or more participants. We also allow children on our tours. Are you ready to book that tour? Expect to encounter porpoises and manatees or spot otters, wild turkeys, deer, and others. Contact us today.


EXCELLENT Based on 10 reviews Gergely Halász2025-06-02Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic experience. (Bioluminescence night kayaking) Wonderful tour guide, with entertaining fun facts and real care for safety. Even after 7 night cruise, this was the highlight of our journey. Literally to touch nature as your hands and paddles sparkles diamonds in the night water. Paddling next to sleeping manatees. If you have a free night in this area and you don’t mind getting bit wet you must try this! Ashley Corcoran - West2025-05-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was such an awesome experience!! It rained so we were a little delayed but weather cleared in time to do the tour by about 10:30 pm. Matthew was extremely friendly and a VERY knowledgeable guide. We saw so much bioluminescense. The bioluminescent jellies were beautiful! I even finally caught one! I 100% will do this again!!! Lisa Loo2025-05-25Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a fun and memorable experience! Drew & Jorge were the best guides and the entire trip was fun, informative, calming and simply perfection. Jill Connolly2025-02-04Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great time kayaking and experienced the comb jellies during the bioluminescence tour. Aiden was very knowledgeable and friendly! Would highly recommend. Easy to find based on instructions provided Helen B2024-12-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great tour last night. Wish a many many manatees, many dolphins and alligator tons of cum jellies even a little bioluminescent phytoplankton. Our guide Gabe was delightful. A very young man but incredibly knowledgeable well spoken, friendly and helpful.a the launch area was out in a national preserve with dirt roads and unreliable GPS. So make sure you know where you’re going before you get to the preserve and lose GPS signal. Cole Wong2024-11-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our tour guide Amy was knowledgeable with finding good spots to see bioluminescence. Make sure to book your tour on warmer days to increase your chances. It's also more common in the summer but we were able to catch it in late November especially with no moon. FYI the building is the one with a blue rooftop and amongst the grass. Might be hard to spot at night. Adél S (ChuckNorris28)2024-11-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I booked a tour with my girlfriend to see bioluminescence. The house wasn't easy to find in the dark, but some candles helped. It also turned out we were the only ones who booked this tour - and yet it still wasn't cancelled. Our guide, her name was Madison, was very welcoming and open-hearted. She basically made an exclusive tour for us. We got life jackets and a short introduction how to paddle and how to react in possible incidents. We did another kayak tour couple of days before in Crystal river and didn't get any of this. However, due to unsettled water we couldn't get to the better parts of Banana river to see bio, and light pollution and moon shining basically eliminated any chances to see it anyways. We still had a great time with Madison and had fun chatting with a local and learn about Florida, especially since we are from Germany. I would recommend this tour, but pay attention to moon phases. It's also easier to see bio in warmer months (May to August). Island2024-09-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I went a couple months ago tour was amazing saw lots of bio.
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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