Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Our tour takes place in a conservation area for manatee and dolphin so there is a great chance of spotting these wild animals. Our trips will be relaxing and educational, for each tour is lead by biologists/naturalists for the state of Florida. You can get hands on with some of the creatures we find. Your guide will identify and educate you on how to respectfully and safely handle these animals. Our kayaks are very stable and safe. Before getting on the water, our guides will give a good paddle demonstration and safety briefing.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Enjoy a two hour ecologically guided kayak tour through the Thousand Island Conservation area in the Banana River Lagoon. Go through magnificent mangrove tunnels. Search for manatee, dolphins, birds, crabs, and much more! The lagoon system is one of the most biodiverse water systems in the United States so there is much to see. This is not a strenuous kayak trip so it is great for family's of all ages.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, dry bags, sunscreen, and bug spray
Options
Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour
Reviews
89 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Missed Opportunity
J4567ZQjenniferd,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The kayaking experience was great and the scenery was beautiful. Our tour guide Erin was very knowledgeable but seemed to be having an off day. She was not personable with us and seemed like we were an inconvenience right from the get go. We got to see a dolphin and a couple people in our group thought they saw a manatee. Other than our own giggling within our group with kids, we didn’t feel like we could have fun based on the mood of our guide. We were hoping to have more a focus on the wildlife and received more dialogue on political extreme environmentalist views that put a damper on the overall vibe. There were times we asked questions and were ignored completely. We hope this was a one off unfortunate experience for us and not the norm for all. Erin did do a great job with providing safety instructions and had she been more kind and her mood been better, her jokes would have been funny.
Great trip! Amazing location with very few boats and abundant wildlife.
V8523IBeileend,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cameron was a great guide. He checked in the morning of our trip to confirm and ask how many single/double kayaks our group wanted. He's very personable and knowledgeable about the wildlife with a background in biology and experience working with wildlife management. It was an easy paddle across the river and the path through the mangroves was fun. Would love more of that. Nothing felt rushed.
It was a great trip. We...
Tracy G,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great trip. We would go back again. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and spoke the appropriate amount. Not too chatty like some tour guides.
We didn’t see any...
Megan G,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We didn’t see any manatees but did see a dolphin. It was fun going through the different mangrove canals. The only issue was our guide was very knowledgeable, but spoke so softly we could hardly hear her. Even when we asked her to speak up or repeat things it was a very hard to hear so unfortunately, we missed almost everything she had to say.
Great local experience and an informative way to learn about the Indian River Lagoon and its ecosystem.
Diane G,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience! We thoroughly enjoyed being in nature and learning about the ecosystem of the Indian River Lagoon. Awesome
Awesome trip!
Trail12985931928,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time! It was a gorgeous day and a great trip. Our guide was very knowledgeable and gracious. We loved the paddling the mangroves. Awesome trip at a great price.
Dan was so helpful and it’s worth the experience
Ebonee D,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00They give you wet bags and have water for you! Great for beginners but they are some difficult spot where some people took there paddles apart to get threw tight spots
Great trip with Erin
Happiness772652,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip with Erin, very knowledgeable and patient. She jumped into the water to grab a spider crab to show us! Saw a dolphin family that swam all around our kayaks. No manatees today but I guess that’s the season.
Will do it again!
joanrV149HJ,,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent! Our guide was delightful, casual, flexible, professional, knowledgeable. It's helpful to know how to kayak but doesn't have to be perfect! He was also patient. We saw lots of beautiful birds, and some dolphin play. He also explained a lot about the mangroves and their great value.
A biologist leads the tour, use these guys
martinsI7207WK,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I found the guide very knowledgeable and helpful . He spoke with confidence about the birds and dolphins we saw. He led the group on a leisurely paced paddle. He expanded his information to include manatees and the formation of the nature reserve. The meeting place directions were right on and water we got the safety talk we were off. We saw dolphins, both mother and babies and male dolphins hunting. We went through mangrove tunnels, that was cool. The guide helped a novice paddler with tips to make the paddle more enjoyable. Overall the tour checked all my expectation boxes. Use this service.
Related Experiences
Operated by Central Florida Kayaking