If you’re headed to the Space Coast, to spend a day at Cocoa Beach or catch a rocket launch near Titusville, you might not realize you’re also just minutes away from one of nature’s most unforgettable phenomena at night.
Out on the Indian River Lagoon, where we launch bioluminescence kayaking tours from Beacon 42 and Kiwanis Island, the water does something truly surreal after dark. Glide your kayak paddle through it, and suddenly, the water glows like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. During the months of April and early May, that neon blue-green glimmer in front of your eyes comes from jellyfish-looking creatures.
Technically, comb jellies are not jellyfish so you don’t have to worry about getting stung. Millions of these tiny, sparkly jellies come alive when you touch the water during our winter and spring bioluminescence tours.
Before you hop into a clear kayak and meet them up close, here are a few interesting facts you may want to know about them.
They are Not Jellyfish
Although they look like jellyfish, comb jellies belong to a completely different phylum called Ctenophora (pronounced teen-oh-for-ah); true jellyfish fall under Cnidaria.
These delicate beauties don’t have stingers, so even when you scoop one up during your paddle out bioluminescent kayaking Cocoa Beach, you don’t have to worry about getting zapped. They are completely harmless, just soft, squishy, and kind of hypnotic to watch.
They also move differently. Jellyfish pulse their bell-shaped bodies to get around. But comb jellies use rows of tiny, hair-like structures called ctenes, or “combs,” which beat in waves and help them glide silently through the water. When light hits these combs, it refracts and creates this shimmering, rainbow-y effect that’s absolutely unreal. It’s called iridescence, and you’ll see it up close when you shine a red light on them in your kayak.
They Glow When You Touch Them
Most glowing marine creatures, like dinoflagellates, light up due to chemical reactions involving a molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase. But with comb jellies, the spark is triggered by physical movement or disturbance.
When you scoop one gently in your palm near Haulover Canal or paddle through a group of them near Cocoa Beach, they light up because the stimulation activates light-producing cells known as photocytes. Some species show flashes of green, while others blue or purple light depending on the angle and water clarity. The best part is that the shimmer is delayed by a split second, so it feels like the light is following your movement.
They are One of the Oldest Lifeforms on Earth
According to genetic studies, comb jellies may have evolved even before sponges, which were once thought to be the most primitive animals. That’s right; the next time you are out bioluminescent kayaking Merritt Island, know that you are floating alongside a species that’s been around for over 500 million years. Half a billion! Think about that for a second.
These multicellular creatures are basically living fossils. And despite that ancient lineage, they have developed surprisingly complex traits, like a nerve net for sensing the environment and muscle cells for movement, even though they don’t have a centralized brain or heart.
They are Most Active in the Colder Months
One of the biggest misconceptions visitors have is assuming that bioluminescence in Florida is best during the summer. That’s true if you are looking for the luminous plankton (dinoflagellates). But if your trip to Cocoa Beach or Titusville falls between November and May, you are actually in peak comb jelly season.
They prefer cooler, stable water temperatures in the 60°F to 70°F range. In April and early May, the Indian River Lagoon still holds the ideal conditions to support large blooms of comb jellies. Also, unlike plankton, you can hold a jelly in your hand, examine its shimmering cilia, and feel like you are part of the ecosystem.
You Can See (and Hold) Them During a Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour
One of the best parts about watching bioluminescence on the Space Coast on our clear-bottom kayak excursions is how up close and personal you can get with the mystical jellies.
At Kiwanis Island or the Haulover Canal area, whichever spot you decide to join us from, the water is comfortably shallow, clear, and protected from wind. This makes it easy to see comb jellies radiating right beneath your seat. With every paddle stroke, you are likely to stir them up, and when the conditions are just right, it feels like the water is alive with floating lanterns.
Some of our guests bring along small cups (which we recommend and sometimes provide) to gently scoop up the jellies for a better look before releasing them back. Because they are so delicate and translucent, holding them in a transparent container or in your palm lets you see their internal structure and the shimmering rainbow combs as they move.
Book A Comb Jelly Bioluminescence Kayak Tour Today!
Make the most of these cool April nights with Florida-Adventurer. If you have been looking for an opportunity to take your friends or family out, slow down, and enjoy something most people never even get to notice, our highly curated nightly tours are just what you need.
Each tour is 90-minutes long and the all-inclusive price includes a kayak of your choice, PFD, and a guide who is happy to make sure you have a good time, even if you are a first-time paddler. Children ages 5 and up are more than welcome.
To book your spot or for more information, call us at 321-735-9400 or email at info@Florida-Adventurer.com.
