Looking for something that will blow your family’s mind and bring everyone closer together? Skip the same-old family reunion spots and try something that is truly out of this world — a tour of the bioluminescent bay Florida in a tandem kayak!
At Florida-Adventurer, we take you out to the Indian River Lagoon near Cocoa Beach where water glows like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It’s an experience so surreal and rare that it can only be found in a few places on the planet. And you can do it just an hour away from all those famous theme parks in Orlando.
What Is Special About Bioluminescence in Florida?
Bioluminescence is created by living organisms. In the Indian River Lagoon, during the warmer months and into early fall, tiny organisms – dinoflagellates – produce a blue-green light whenever they are disturbed by, say, a fish swimming by, a kayak paddle, or your hand dipping into the water. The shimmer that lights up the water in front of you is bright enough to look like it has been sprinkled with stardust.
The lagoon is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America, and this plays a key role in the bioluminescence you see here. The sheltered waters and the fact that it is fed by both rivers (the St. Johns River and Banana River) and ocean make it an ideal place for dinoflagellates or marine plankton to thrive. People travel from halfway around the world just to raft through these waters.
Although bioluminescence from dinoflagellates is most visible from May through October, Florida lucked out here as well. The living light in our waters comes from both plankton and comb jellies that start to appear in the lagoon in October and stay until May. So right now is the transitional period where you get the best of both worlds.
If you have friends or family visiting Florida, October is actually one of the best times to take them out on the water because:
- The weather is perfect. The heat and humidity are dialed back, so you can enjoy being outside without melting.
- The nights are comfortable. It’s warm-ish enough for paddling at night without needing a jacket, but cool enough to keep things feeling fresh.
- You won’t be stuck in a crowd as the summer tourists have cleared out by now. This means fewer people on the water and more space for your group.
- This is not only the prime month to spot dolphins and manatees, but it also marks the start of migratory bird season, with white pelicans, ospreys, and herons making appearances along the mangroves and shoreline.
Why This Kayak Trip Is Ideal for Families
There is something to be said about the shared sense of discovery when you are all out on the water together at night. Even more so if none of you have ever done anything like this before. Kayaking is a group effort, not something you are passively watching; shared interactions always create a stronger bond.
It also helps that this is a distraction-free activity. How often does your family sit down for dinner and someone is still scrolling through their phone? Out on the lagoon, there is no cell service pulling people away from the moment. The quiet of the night might just be the setting you all need to actually be present with each other.
When you are in a tandem kayak with a sibling, parent, child or partner, you are syncing up, getting into a flow together. This kind of physical teamwork could be a good reminder of how connected you can be when you are working as a unit, even in small ways.
Before the craziness of the holiday season kicks in, our bioluminescence Florida kayaking tour is a great way to reconnect with your loved ones in a meaningful way.
Book Your 90-Minute Bioluminescent Kayak Trip Now!
Our guided paddling excursions have been designed to accommodate everyone, from the youngest members (minimum age is 5 years old) to the oldest member of your family. The waters are calm and shallow, with no strong currents to worry about. If you have a child with you, our double kayaks allow you both to be together.
We provide everything you need: kayaks, life jackets, paddles, and the most enthusiastic, knowledgeable guides who will keep the fun going from start to finish. All you have to bring is your sense of wonder (and maybe some bug spray)!
Trips launch from Haulover Canal and last around 1.5 hours. Since we are located just an hour from Disney World and Universal Studios, night kayaking is the perfect way to cap off your day. Spots fill up fast so book now.
