Florida bioluminescence is the #1 kayaking trip in the Orlando, Cocoa Beach area. Cocoa Beach is located just south of Merritt Island, also on Floridas Atlantic Coast. You'll get the finest kayaking experience around the Shell Key preserve mangroves from a Clear transparent kayak or from one of our traditional Coastal kayaks. It might not be as vivid as some of the other locations here (such as the Space Coast: Banana River, Mosquito Lagoon, and Indian River) but you can still see planktons and millions of dinoflagellates glow with every stroke your paddle makes in the water. Clear Kayaking (see-through kayaks) is a spectacular way to experience Florida's bioluminescent waters. Not far from St. Petersburg. San Juan Island, WA. 10 Best Places to Go Bioluminescence Kayaking in Florida, Best places to go swimming with Dolphins in Florida. At long last, what youve been waiting for, the list of the best places in Florida to go bioluminescent kayaking! If visiting the museum there is also part of your Florida vacation agenda, this is another reason to start your bioluminescence adventure from there. 2 1/2 hours $89 Per Person. A second bioluminescent event occurs in Florida during the colder months, from November through May, when Comb Jellies flaunt their vivid colors. Some species, like these algae, called Blue Tears located in the East China Sea, while stunning in appearance, are highly toxic. It usually occurs mid-May to October. Bioluminescence is the scientific word for living organisms (bio) that light up (luminesce) the way fireflies do. In the movie, the world of Pandora is nothing short of breathtaking, and the theme park attraction based upon its concept doesnt disappoint. There are five islands in Fort De Soto Park and each one has a waterfront and a beautiful beach from where you can launch your kayak to enjoy the bioluminescence adventure. Prices range from $65 $135 per person depending on destination (Indian River or Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel or Thousand Island waterways) and kayak choice (glass bottom or regular, tandem or single) with Cocoa Kayaking as your guide. per adult. The Best Australia Quiz: 163 Australian Questions and Answers for your trivia night. As your kayak skims over the dark water, you are agitating billions of bioluminescent microorganisms, causing them to light up underneath you, engulfing the kayak in a beautiful glow! Its one of the NASA bases and home to the Kennedy Space Center. The bioluminescent kayaking tour is usually 1.5 to 2 hours. Whether you choose oceanfront or oceanside, youre only steps away from putting your toes in the water. Thats what theyre doing when we see them in Florida. If you choose to start your bioluminescence journey from Banana River, you are virtually guaranteed to see any number of manatees, stingrays or mullets as they speed around and beneath you. During the day, whitewater rafting is a popular activity here. I highly recommend Eco Adventures. Epic Divers, Grand Cayman: See 393 reviews, articles, and 221 photos of Epic Divers, ranked No.154 on Tripadvisor among 154 attractions in Grand Cayman. Only active in the summer months, the best time to experience this water phenomenon is during the new moon phase, when the sky is at its darkest. It boasts direct access to the Guana River and is only a short stroll to the beach at Micklers Landing, about two miles from the Intracoastal Waterway. READ MORE: 21 Best places to go kayaking in Florida. Its a great way to discover your surroundings in a unique way. Because these super small creatures live in huge colonies like most aquatic animals do, when one of them decides to light up, millions of their friends usually do the same, creating a mystical light show that spreads out, often as far as football field or more, in every direction, creating a stunning display which we humans find enchanting no matter how many times weve seen it before. However, kayaks provide a unique advantage because they leave you so close to the water and are highly maneuverable, even in groups. Posted on Last updated: November 27, 2022, Home Uncategorized 10 Best Places to Go Bioluminescence Kayaking in Florida. Once inside youll be delighted with one of the casual modern guest homes. Thats because there is a lot less of the moon visible at night and therefore a lot less of a glare on the water, which can take away from the brilliance of the bioluminescent light created by the dino and the jellies. Its also a great thing to do in summer and at night! That said, if you cant change the date and happen to be visiting during the full moon, you can still get to see it. This St. Pete Beach Glass Bottom Kayak LED Night Tour lets you go out with a guide who knows the area and its ecosystem well and who can easily lead the way even in the dark. In this case, it would be more even more recommended to book a guided tour as the guides will make sure to bring you to spots that are better during the full moon. Our "tourist tours or "visitor tours", as the locals would call them, are ideal for a romantic evening on the water or an expedition in the name of science with the . If you want to stay away from the crowds, you can also launch your kayak from Cape Canaveral, a more isolated spot that makes it ideal for this kind of sporting activity. The trip is hallmarked by spectacularly beautiful, meandering mangrove trails and frequent appearances by dolphins. Item #: WAT-SEA-0043. Its very interesting! During the summer season, billions (with a b, that wasnt a typo) of dinoflagellates (plankton) are visible. For the purposes of this article, we will only focus on the species that we can expect to encounter while bioluminescent kayaking in Florida. This is great if you happen to plan on using a different launch point every night over say a week-long vacation. Obviously, avoiding the full moon, is even a better idea. While you can access some areas without a guide, its smart to go with one at least for the first time even if youre an experienced paddler. Anyone can do it though since it is a gentle exercise. For even more ideas on things to do on the Space Coast, visit FloridaBeachBreak.com. You will be heading to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge which is an area of protected wetlands. Florida's northern Space Coast offers ideal conditions for bioluminescent kayaking in Florida, a peculiar natural phenomenon in which tiny, marine organisms called dinoflagelletes glow, generating cold white light through an internal chemical reaction like a firefly. Most commonly known as the home of the Kennedy Space Center and launch site of many of Americas most historical NASA spaceflights, it also happens to be one of the quieter places to launch your kayak from if its your goal to stay away from crowds. To be sure, not all beautiful bioluminescent life is peaceful and harmless. At certain times, they illuminate the water and provide an incredibly unique experience to anyone who happens to be kayaking there at the time. Napa Valley Paddle's Bioluminescent kayak touring company offers nature's most illuminating light show in the waters of Tomales Bay on the darkest nights of July, August, September, and October, 2022. The Salish Sea is one of Seattle's best spots for bioluminescence kayaking. St Pete Beach Glass Bottom Mangroves, St Petersburg; Sugarloaf Key, Florida Keys; Shell Key Preserve, Tampa - GLOW TOUR . In the warm and dark lagoon waters on the Space Coast of Florida lies a natural phenomenon of glowing blue waters alive with activity called bioluminescence. You may even encounter some faint glow from the plankton, its just usually not a big time of the year for either one, but they are still there and you will almost certainly see somejust not as much as at other times of the year. There are even more than a few endangered species that call this place home. If you do, youll be rewarded with the opportunity to watch the stunningly luminescent planktons as they are flustered and roused by other marine wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, or even alligators. Im Pauline, a French expat in the UK! There are local guides to direct you to where you can see the glowing fish and believe us, they are in abundance! With white tablecloths for inside dining and its James Beard Award Winning Psychedelic Phish Burger, its a date-night favorite in Cocoa Beach that the locals love. For a reaction to occur, the species must have a chemical called luciferin inside it. Despite their name, these prehistoric sea creatures arent real jellyfish and they dont sting. Bioluminescence occurs on coastlines in every corner of Florida, from the lagoons of Destin in the Northwest part of the state, to the flats of the Florida Keys on Floridas southernmost tipbut often, its not widely advertised or consistent enough to find tours or hotspots that you can explore yourself. Adventure Kayak will provide you will water, a short lesson on kayaking for beginners, and everything you need to have the best experience possible. These lights illuminate the water all around you, creating an ideal "window into the sea." Don't miss out. The guides here are the most knowledgeable and experienced of the bunch, and will teach you more about the area, the phenomenon, its science, and its history, than pretty much anyplace else. It is known by the locals as one of the best places for bioluminescence kayaking near Orlando and Cocoa Beach. Several of these organisms also produce luciferase, which is a catalyst chemical that helps to speed up the reaction. They offer a variety of different tours including a Sunset Bioluminescent tour for the best of both worldsthis 3 hour tour starts at $79 per person. Also guiding 90-minute Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge bioluminescent kayaking tours is A Day Away Kayak Tours. We are located about an hour from Universal Studios and The Walt Disney world area theme parks. The way these animals and fish glow when your kayak cuts through the water around them, can be breathtaking. Each of these species is most active during different times of the year, but more on that in a bit. Each cottage has its own private courtyard and one even has a koi pond. They produce a dazzling, flashing blue-green light when theyre touched, and they always create unique colors, so each time you see them, its different. There are definitely more options for places to go bioluminescent kayaking in Florida during the summer months of July and August. As a general thing, its very much of an ocean thing but there are also a few land ones as well. Of course, other kinds of rowboats can be used, though preferably without any kind of motor, even an electric one. Florida Bioluminescent Kayaking Tours. Disclaimer It is absolutely one of the best places in the state to experience bioluminescence. Grab your friends for this sunset/illuminated kayak adventure to the St Pete Pier explore the water At NIGHT! By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. From: $151. November December: By this time of the year, the dino have wafted away and comb jelly season is in full swing. If you can, avoid the full moon as there is a lot of light that reflects on the water. Situated against the Atlantic near the state's midsection, the area includes destinations like Cocoa Beach, Titusville, and Port and Cape Canaveral. As these dinoflagellates detect the gentle motion of your kayak through the water, the sea will start to light up around you. Best Caribbean was St. Lucia Land & Sea to Soufrierre (spelling might be wrong). Wrapping Up. During the summer, the light of these glowing creatures . Get a Weekly List of the Tampa Bay Areas Hottest Date Spots by Email or Text! Reserve Yours Now! It is also super fun, especially if you're exploring a place as beautiful as St Pete. And the ultimate way to experience natures light show is gliding through the glowing waters after sunset on a guided bioluminescent kayaking tour. You are assured of seeing manatees, stingrays or mullets as they speed beneath your boat. Although bioluminescence is year-round in Grand Cayman, the best time to view it depends on the cycle of the moon. Launch: We plan to launch at 7:30 PM. Photos of exciting kayaking adventures around Tampa, St Pete, & Clearwater Beach. Its still very possible to see some comb jellies malingering around, but they just arent as abundant as they are in January-March. Founded in 1985, this locally-owned diner is one-of-a-kind. People call this tour "breath-taking!" Try magnificent all see-through clear kayaking with us. Because of those factors, you want to make sure that you wear long sleeves and long pants. 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