Are you ready for an unforgettable tour with family and friends that not just strengthens the bonds among your loved ones, but also forges a collection of priceless memories that stay with you for a lifetime? If your answer is ‘yes’, it is time to add manatee and dolphin kayaking in Cocoa Beach to your itinerary.
Book a daytime kayak tour with Florida-Adventurer where we take you to the heart of Florida’s wild beauty. You will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the lagoon, with the sun warming your back and the possibility of a close encounter with West Indian Manatees and Bottlenose Dolphins.
Whether you are traveling with a partner, with family, or bringing a whole group, witnessing a manatee lazily floating by or a dolphin popping up to say hi is an experience not to be missed.
Why August-September is the Perfect Time for Watching Manatees and Dolphins Up Close?
Manatees
For the uninitiated, manatees love warm water, and the Indian River Lagoon provides just that during these months. This is the time when seagrass – their favorite snack – is plentiful, so you are more likely to notice them moving around to feed. Also known as sea cows, manatees tend to be more social in the later summer too. It is not uncommon to see them in groups as they float around the shallow waters where you will be kayaking.
But that’s not all! August (well, late summer in general) is the breeding season for manatees in Florida. You might get to see several males (bulls) follow and compete for a single female (cow), or you could just see lots of manatee calves playing around. The Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge has a large resident population of manatees, so your chances of seeing them are high. It also helps that these gentle giants are naturally curious creatures and not afraid to come close to your kayak to check you out.
Our guides will take you to areas with lots of floating vegetation to make sure you have a clear view of them when they are munching. That said, we are very respectful of their space and careful to observe them in a way that’s safe for both them and us.
Dolphins
The Indian River Lagoon is basically an all-you-can-eat buffet for the gray, sleek, and extremely smart bottlenose dolphins. The area is teeming with fish, shrimp, and other tasty treats, plus the shallow depths of the lagoon keep the water nice and toasty. The summery August-September months give them all they need to hunt, play, and raise their young. If you are lucky, you might see a mom and her baby swimming side by side, which is always a heartwarming sight.
This is the type of experience that you share with your kids and create memories that you will talk about for years. Or, like some of our patrons, you can even turn it into a tradition every time you visit Cocoa Beach! Our little kayakers are delighted when dolphins swim right up to them, close enough that they can see their eyes and hear their breath as they surface.
Sometimes, dolphins will even leap out of the water to show off with a playful jump or two. You might hear them clicking and whistling as they communicate with each other since they use echolocation to find fish.
9 Reasons to Go Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking in the Cocoa Beach Area
· You live right here or nearby and just want to unwind, get out on the water, and enjoy nature without traveling far from home.
· Your kids are curious about the marine life and you want to bring their educational lessons to life in a hands-on way.
· Tired of the same old dinner-and-movie routine? Paddling together surrounded by nature might just be the uniquely romantic thing that brings you and your partner closer.
· You have done the hiking trails and zip-lining; now you are looking forward to some water play with the added bonus of watching manatees, dolphins, and other wildlife.
· You are a wildlife photographer – or trying to be one! – and want to capture some original, amazing shots of Florida’s flora and fauna.
· You love staying active but are tired of the gym. Kayaking could give your muscles a new challenge.
· You are on a tight budget and want to have a good time with your children, partner, or friends without breaking the bank.
· Your friends are visiting from out of state, and you want to show them the wild side of Florida, far from the crowded tourist spots.
· If you have never kayaked before, but you are ready to give it a shot, our beginner-friendly daytime kayaking tours are perfect for you. We intentionally keep our tours small so our guides can give you the personal attention you need.
Plan Your Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking Trip Today with Florida-Adventurer
Here at Florida-Adventurer, you won’t find rehearsed scripts or cookie-cutter tours. After all, nature is unpredictable and that’s what makes each trip out on the water one-of-a-kind. You will never get the same experience twice; one day might bring you face-to-face with a bunch of baby manatees, while the next could have you kayaking alongside a pod of dolphins.
Our tours depart daily, with multiple times to choose from, so you can pick the perfect slot that suits your schedule: an early morning paddle with the rising sun or a late afternoon cruise as the day cools down. We have strategically chosen the Haulover Canal area for our Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tours because it has been a favorite hangout for these creatures for decades. It will be almost impossible for you to miss them! For $50 per person, join our 90-minute kayak tour, with all gear provided. Reserve your spot now.
