Bioluminescence Kayak Tour
Overview
2 hours
Mobile ticket
In the warm and dark lagoon waters lies a natural phenomenon of glowing blue waters alive with activity. The swirling of your hand, every paddle stroke, and the rolling wake off of your kayak all sparkle throughout the darkness. Not only do fish leave trails, dolphins look like torpedoes, and manatees a slow and graceful submarine. Many guests compare the experience to Pandora of “Avatar.” Some even recall the bioluminescence scene in “Life of Pi” as the gentle plankton leave a trickling glow when you hold it in your hands and let it trickle down your arm. Though some may jokingly blame this on NASA runoff, it is actually the biological response of microscopic algae called a dinoflagellate. The perfectly natural and harmless concentration of organisms produces light before your very eyes, often existing in millions per liter of water. Your tour will include a ton of information about these rare and exotic creatures with the most experienced guides in the area
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Bioluminescent Kayak Tours - Summer Bioluminescence: Dinoflagellate (cloudy bluegreen glow) - peak season May to early November - Winter Bioluminescence: Comb Jelly (Individual glowing jellies) - peak season late November to April - During the warm summer months the waters of Florida's Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon come alive with single-celled microorganisms called dinoflagellates. - 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.
What‘s Included
Kayak
Professional guide
PFD
Paddle
2 hour kayak tour
Gratuities
Options
Tour
Bioluminescent Kayak Tour
Reviews
830 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Fantastic Tour With A Fantastic Guide!!!
morgangT4830PT,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is wonderful tour! Having the experience of catching the moon jellyfish and getting to hold them was incredibly interesting and special. The jumping fish were really neat. Our tour guide, Aidan, was very informative and helpful. He told us so much about everything we were seeing and about the area that I was truly impressed. Also, he is extremely protective of the people taking the tour so you know that you are in great hands. I had never kayaked before so I was very nervous and afraid that I would fall in the water, but Aidan did such a great job of explaining exactly what to do that I felt like an expert before I even ventured out on the water. I definitely recommend this tour and if you take it make sure to get Aidan as your guide!!!
Fantastic Experience with A Fantastic Guide Named Aidan!!!
Morgan G,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is wonderful tour! Having the experience of catching the moon jellyfish and getting to hold them was incredibly interesting and special. The jumping fish were really neat. Our tour guide, Aidan, was very informative and helpful. He told us so much about everything we were seeing and about the area that I was truly impressed. Also, he is extremely protective of the people taking the tour so you know that you are in great hands. I had never kayaked before so I was very nervous and afraid that I would fall in the water, but Aidan did such a great job of explaining exactly what to do that I felt like an expert before I even ventured out on the water. I definitely recommend this tour and if you take it make sure to get Aidan as your guide!!!
Relaxing float under the stars
Philip C,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Was a great relaxing float trip... not much tonight in the way of bioluminescent creatures but did see a jellyfish glow. Caleb was fantastic, pointing out the habits and features of the wildlife in the area. Apparently, the best time to see the bioluminescent creatures is later in the spring, and summer on the water is warmer. But no regrets- very calm and relaxing!
Light Pollution and Little Bioluminescent
Isaac W,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The tour communicated well, and the guides were professional and friendly. However, the time of year (mid-late December) was bad for bioluminescence, and they didn’t have enough nets for all.l the boats to really get the full experience. The location they picked had a lot of local light pollution, so it wasn’t great either for seeing any bioluminescent creatures. Probably would recommend a different experience or time of year. Basically kayaking with a sprinkle of bioluminescence.
Night kayaking - cool!
Molly B,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Jorge & Jessie were great guides & Jorge very knowledgeable about all kinds of things. Kayaking at night was a cool experience even without the level of “luminescence” I’d hoped for. It’s off season, we saw a few jellies, but I rolled the dice & lost. Fun experience, I may try again ON season.
Great experience for all ages
Kavitha S,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a unique experience with bioluminescent jellies! Great guides. Our 5 year old did great. The kayaking is not strenuous and low stress.
Don’t pass up this kayak tour!
carmenbL9096TR,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An incredible experience! We were able to see comb jellies and other wildlife on our tour. Our guide Jorge was excellent ~ very knowledgeable and pointed out stars, constellations and interesting facts about the comb jellies. I would take this tour again in a heartbeat.
Mathew was a great tour...
Theiry W,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Mathew was a great tour guide we seen lots of cool things even the glow in the water regardless of the season overall great experience
November Night
ClayB396,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well guided, super educational, and extremely cool! Jorge and Jayden were both engaging and helpful. I’d highly recommend the trip!
Very underwhelming
Alex B,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00I hate to do this, but this experience was terrible. I definitely wasted my money. I wish I could have a refund. From start to finish this was very poorly ran. We showed up at the correct time and location based on the email we received. The guide was no where to be found for at least ten minutes. My family and I had to go find her to figure out what to do next in the dark. Crystal was not punctual or prepared. We finally started the excursion twenty five minutes later with poor direction. Crystal was nice, but very inexperienced. I had to ask how long we would actually paddle for and I wish I would have asked how far we were going to be paddling as well. We paddled to a location based on what her friend saw a few days prior. Made my family and I feel unsure of the excursion. My parents haven’t kayaked in over thirty years and they did great, but Viator needs to specify for advanced kayakers since the water was a little rough and the trip was far. Once we got to the desired destination I felt like we just saw a few sparkles. The experience was NOTHING like the Viator reviews said or described. Maybe because we went at 7:15 instead of 9:15? If so again, Viator needs to specify that in booking and on their description. The guide also stated it depends on the year to see more bioluminescence, that was never disclosed on the Viator posting either. It was truly exhausting for a very underwhelming experience.
From US$70.00
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Operated by A Day Away Kayak Tours