Bioluminescent Kayak Tour on the Indian River Lagoon: Just an Hour from Orlando

What you'll do:

You’ll paddle through glowing waters under the stars on a 90-minute Naturalist-guided bioluminescent kayak tour of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. After a quick beginner-friendly paddling lesson, you’ll launch into a shimmering world lit up by Pyrodinium Bahamense, the dinoflagellate responsible for the glow. Along the way, we’ll pause for real-time education about what you’re seeing, why it's happening, and how else it might be affecting the ecosystem, from the bottom of the food web to the top.

Sunny Nights Kayak Tours is the only kayak tour outfitter in the world bringing a microscope into the field for actual views of the phytoplankton causing this fascinating phenomenon! We regularly see dolphins and manatees on tours and even recently discover an endangered manta cousin in the lagoon, which researchers know little about within the ecosystem. Come experience one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in the northern hemisphere!

Why we love it for your party:

• It’s like paddling through stardust (The water sparkles with every paddle stroke)

• Microscope moment (Get an up-close look at the organism that powers the bioluminescent show)

• No experience needed (Perfect for groups of beginners)

• Girl-powered science (Led by a female-owned conservation-forward outfitter)

• Wildlife cameo (Dolphins, manatees, migratory birds, bioluminescent organisms and more)

About this experience partner:

Sunny Nights Kayak Tours is a woman owned ecotour company focusing on conservation, education and real connection to the natural world. Founder Sunny is a seasoned guide, Naturalist, ACA member and active collaborator with marine scientists and conservation leaders. Every tour is built to inspire wonder while contributing to critical research and environmental awareness.

Additional information:

• 90-minute guided tour

• All gear provided (Kayak, paddle, PFD, safety lights)

• Meet at Marina Park in Titusville, Florida

• Best seen during low-light moon phases, but peak bioluminescence (summertime) is still easily seen during the full moon

• We often see SpaceX launches by water! If you’re interested in shifting the time of your group’s tour to accommodate seeing a rocket launch, your guide is happy to do that

• Wear water-safe shoes, and for night-time tours, we recommend long sleeves and pants (mosquitoes!) and bug spray

• Tours begin in proximity to sunset, with times shifting seasonally

• Microscope viewing is weather and equipment dependent. If you’re especially interested in this part of the experience, please mention that upon booking