Sunset Bioluminescence Tour

Overview

Sunset is a magical time on the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. 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, “Mullethead Island,” a federally protected rookery, buzzes with activity as many of the refuge’s 358 unique bird species flock above you to their protected nests for the night. Typical species to expect include Ibis, herons, egrets, pelicans, cormorants, and roseate spoonbills, all set to the backdrop of rocket launch pads and iconic NASA landscape. Launch into your escape.

City: Cocoa Beach

Wed 23 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $75.00

Make a reservation

Wed 23 Jul

Starting at $75.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Kayak

Professional guide

PFD

Paddle

2 hour kayak tour

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What to bring:
Clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet. Towel (left in car)
Water Shoes – sandals or Crocs that can be worn in the water
Bring an extra change of clothes just in case
Camera & Dry bag (optional) These are fairly useless to capture bioluminescence, but great for capturing people.
Bottled water, Snacks
Any special personal paddling gear if you like
You may bring a flashlight, though we will provide a safety light.

What To Expect

A Day Away Kayak Tours

Kayak to an island with a very diverse bird population before they settle in for the night, right next to a beautiful sunset on the horizon. Then, paddle to a nearby location to see various types of bioluminescence - one of only a few places in the world to see it.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (93)

H4175NOjulien

Jan 2024

Our guide Chaz was so passionate and knowledgeable, on top of just being a really fun and cool person. The experience was also unforgettable. We saw so many different groups of dolphins, including some playful boys jumping and one mama and her baby dolphin. When the sun set, not only did we see the bioluminescent jellies up close (Chaz held a light up to them so we could see rainbows through them and their cilia moving); we also got to see the plankton light up with every stroke of our paddles. A magical, must-see experience. Would recommend.

alexakchilton

Jan 2024

My husband and I had a fabulous time and tour with A Day Away Kayak Tours. The guides provided great insights into the biodiversity in and around the waters. Alongside this, we had a large group, with some new to kayaking. The guides were very accommodating to all levels, which we really appreciated. We were lucky enough to see dolphins, manatees and the bioluminescence jellyfish on Christmas Day. A memorable experience!

agood

Oct 2023

I booked this tour for myself and my elderly mother who was visiting me from Canada. We arrived to see that we were the only tour for that time slot. We had Kerry as our tour guide and he was fantastic. He was knowledgeable providing us with all kinds of fun facts about the various animals and location. We had some trouble paddling as neither mom or I have experience with kayaking. Kerry was patient with us and even tied a rope to his kayak so we could still enjoy the experience. The bioluminescence wasn’t as bright in September and that was a little disappointing but this is no fault of a day away. We still had a great time getting to see manatees up close, we saw dolphins as well as an alligator and many other cool animals. The tour was relaxed and super fun! I really appreciate the tour company didn’t cancel the tour considering we were the only ones. This was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever especially considering mom is getting older and I don’t get to see her too often. Highly recommend this tour, this was the second time I’ve used a day away and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again or recommend them to anyone else. Thank you so much! 5 stars all the way.