For over 30 years, we have been stimulating curiosity while enriching children in our community through . Indian River Lagoon is on Floridas Atlantic Coast, sandwiched right in between Merritt Island and Vero Beach. Titusville has 3 primary kayaking starting points; the Haulover Canal South, the Haulover Canal North, and Beacon 42. The Salish Sea is one of Seattle's best spots for bioluminescence kayaking. When the organisms move in the water they create a beautiful glowing effect. The local guides know the area like the back of their hand and will bring you to the best spots while explaining everything you need to know. Most dont even live close to North America. 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. North of St. Augustine in Ponte Vedra Beach, a destination synonymous with golf, youll find North Guana Outpost on Mickler Road. Did you know florida has a bioluminescent bay that has more glowing plankton than almost anywhere else? This section of the river takes you through a delightful wilderness where all sorts of birds and wildlife reside. Your kayak tour guide will provide everything you need; the kayak, life vest and glow stick/flashlight. At night, however, dolphins love to frolic in the iridescent waters, creating a course of glowing, blue-colored waves as they swim all around you. The comb jellies are active from November through March. Not to be outdone, north-central Brevard Countys Banana River Aquatic Preserve, bordered between Merritt Island on the west and the beach barrier island on the east, features a surface water area of roughly 30,000 acres. Dinner is served 5:30-8:30pm, so its best for dinner before your bioluminescent kayaking tour. Hugged between the barrier islands of Floridas eastern coast and the mainland, it holds bragging rights as the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. Here it is! Be sure to watch out for otters, mullets, and pelicans as well when kayaking in Titusville. As there are many bioluminescent spots on this island and as the access can sometimes be restricted by NASA, the best way to explore is to join a kayak tour at night. The way these animals and fish glow when your kayak cuts through the water around them, can be breathtaking. Kayak launching is done at the Haulover Canal in Merritt Wildlife Refuge. However, there's one thing that's more memorable than a simple kayaking tour; our nighttime bioluminescent kayak tour. Most of the bioluminescent organisms are fish, jellies and plankton. Location: North Shore, Salt River. Not to mention the seemingly backlit wake your kayak will make as it parts the water (and the dinoflagellates) around you. Bioluminescence kayaking in Florida. Home Kayak & Paddleboard Bicycles Electric Bikes Blog Contact About Bike Shop Mad Beach Paddle Sports. This is one of the most popular bioluminescence locations in Cocoa Beach. 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. 727-580-2164. call now. 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. The bioluminescent kayaking trip will last roughly 2 hours and take you to areas that are not easily accessible by large boats. Because the phenomenon is so unique, its highly recommended to book a guided tour. Chances are youll see the Milky Way more clearly than you ever have before. Laguna Grande isn't so much a bioluminescent bay but a lagoon where you can rent a glass-bottomed kayak, paddle through an eerie canal, and enjoy the light show through the bottom of your boat. This is great if you happen to plan on using a different launch point every night over say a week-long vacation. What to bring: Bring a light-stick, a bright flashlight, and drinking water for kayaking. See the water like never before in our See Through Canoes. Florida gets super hot and humid during the day. Just over two hours from Tampa on the Space Coast is one of the best places in the world to witness bioluminescence. If youre looking for a Florida experience that is both enchanting, exciting, and something that relatively few people ever actually do, you should consider bioluminescent kayaking. It is one of natures most incredible phenomena, called bioluminescence. As these dinoflagellates detect the gentle motion of your kayak through the water, the sea will start to light up around you. The chart above was compiled by The National Wildlife Federation and represents some, but not close to all of the over 2,000 known species of bioluminescent creatures on earth, though there are probably many more, that live in our oceans which we just havent found them yet. Anyone can do it though since it is a gentle exercise. For that reason, if you are planning to use Cape Canaveral as your bioluminescent kayaking starting point, we recommend going the guided tour route. Come join us on St Pete's best guided kayak tour to Shell Key! Sure, you can explore Disney World, the roughly 825 miles of beaches, the plethora of theme parks strewn about the state, or, if youre the super-adventurous type, you might even opt to explore the marshlands and everglades. There is a man-made canal, the Haulover canal, from where you can launch your kayak and then paddle east, under the drawbridge and past the Manatee Observation deck. Bicycle Repair. This location is called Mosquito lagoon for good reason, so ensure you carry a mosquito spray with you. In Florida, the species that live and that we encounter when we go bioluminescent kayaking are: dinoflagellates (plankton), snapping shrimp, red squid, fireflies, and comb jellies. If you're local you can go yourself if you're familiar with the area and have your own gear, but doing a tour is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Here are some suggestions for the best places to experience bioluminescent kayaking in each of these Florida bio bays: Cocoa Beach: The undeveloped Banana River Aquatic Preserve Indian River Lagoon: Mosquito Lagoon Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge: Haulover Canal, smack in the middle of the refuge with zero light pollution Looking for a magical and unique experience? Obviously, because youll be out on the water at night, both the air and the water are going to be significantly cooler than they would be with the sun blazing at full strength overhead. The result could be a glow that's dimas in just a few sparks trailing off your paddle, like embers flying from a campfireor grand, causing the water all around you to emit a bright blue-green glow. Thats why you must not forget to bring plenty of insect repellantthat is, enough to cover every exposed part of your body at least 3 times. If you love water activities and the outdoors, this will be perfect for you. Wrapping Up. Book your tour online today! Of course, catching a glimpse of a friendly dolphin as it joyfully flips about around your kayak is always a distinct possibility. 14 Best Florida Bachelorette Party Destinations! Not really, but it depends upon where you plan on going in the state. We had such a great time!!! If visiting the museum there is also part of your Florida vacation agenda, this is another reason to start your bioluminescence adventure from there. Almost equidistant between Titusville to the north and Melbourne to the south, Merritt Island is conveniently located between many other bioluminescent hot spots. Make sure you carry your camera with you so that you can immortalize the experience. While kayaking there (particularly in the summer season), you can expect to encounter algae, seaweed, and several types of underwater life. There are definitely more options for places to go bioluminescent kayaking in Florida during the summer months of July and August. It also delivers a raft trip for groups of six to eight people, or folks with kids; as well as an island tour, an easy paddle that gives you the chance to swim in the bioluminescence. Other Things to Do Bioluminescence is the light that is created by living creatures such as fireflies, comb jellies, and tiny plankton called "dinoflagellates"'. The locals and guides will offer you more information on where to head for the best bioluminescent experience on the lagoon. Most of that sounds fantastic, particularly if you have kidsbut what if you have older kids, or no kids at all? Be sure to apply it generously before even getting out of the car. And the ultimate way to experience natures light show is gliding through the glowing waters after sunset on a guided bioluminescent kayaking tour. By doing this, you get a local guide who knows exactly where to go and can explain everything about what youre seeing and whats causing it. Here's what you need to know to experience this epic Florida adventure.,. There are many ways to experience the bioluminescence in Florida, however, there really is no better way than from inside a kayak, on a moonless or overcast night, paddling right out amongst this breathtaking aquatic life for an unparalleled, up-close and personal experience. Whether you choose oceanfront or oceanside, youre only steps away from putting your toes in the water. These brilliant, oval-shaped animals use their rows of minuscule, comb-like plates to propel themselves through the water, creating a shimmering rainbow effect. Launch times vary as this is a private tour. The second image is an extreme closeup of a red snapping shrimp. If you're an experienced kayaker with good navigational skills, check out the winding maze called 17 Runs on the Hillsborough River. Prices range from $55 - $70 per person depending on tour length (1.5 or 2 hours), destination (Indian River or Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel or Thousand Island waterways) and kayak choice (glass bottom or regular, tandem or single). These are also the best places to experience bioluminescence once the sun fully sets. 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. Like most other things, theres a reason for this sites popularity though. You can even find endangered species here. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. If you happen to be one of the lucky ones with a clear kayak, your experience will be magnified tremendously. 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. At long last, what youve been waiting for, the list of the best places in Florida to go bioluminescent kayaking! Even though the fictional world of Pandora is a completely man-made experience, both you and your children will be awestruck as you experience kayaking on a moveable mass and encounter scores of fish that illuminate whenever they are disturbedjust like real world bioluminescent kayaking. As its name implies, Fishlips offers casual waterfront dining downstairs plus a covered patio, indoor sports bar, and sun deck with a tiki bar upstairs. The majority of Floridas bioluminescent paddling takes place on the northern reaches of the Space Coast, famed for being home to Kennedy Space Center and its legendary missions to the great beyond. Also, he will explain everything about it. Many Blueways also feature ramps, wash stations, and storage racks. The best way to experience it is with a kayak, at night. Gasparilla Festival of The Arts + Gasparilla Film Festival are Back! Kayaking with Coastal Kayak Charters Tampa Bay, St Pete, & Clearwater Beach A GREAT WAY TO EXPLORE THE BAY 727-742-2249 Please call for tour times and questions 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. Kayaking with us is a unique experience you won't get with other companies. For a truly unique night-paddling experience, you won't . 98 reviews. True, Its not as breathtakingly gorgeous as some of the other locations here (like Banana River, Mosquito Lagoon, and Indian River), but you can still see millions of dinoflagellates glow all around you as you coast through the placid, inky black water, contrasted by the brilliant lights of the dinos as you gently disturb their rest. Located right in Central Florida, very close to Orlando, Disney World, and all of the hotels and other attractions that are legendary for the area, is a stunning 8-mile stretch of the Econlockhatchee River which passes right through the Little Big Econ State Forest, and makes for an incredible kayaking, paddling, and swimming experience. Im Pauline, a French expat in the UK! Facebook groups for paddlers in each of Floridas regions can provide a wealth of knowledge about local conditions and hotspots, and theyre usually more than happy to help with questions. 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. Those beautiful Dinos (plankton) in the IRL create an amazingly surrealistic kayaking experience, the likes of which you will never see anyplace else. 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. The bioluminescent kayaking tour is usually 1.5 to 2 hours. Adventure Kayak will provide you will water, a short lesson on kayaking for beginners, and everything you need to have the best experience possible. All in all, its a great place to visit if you want to discover what unspoilt Florida truly looks like. This tour has some weight and weather restrictions. These tiny aquatic animals spend all day soaking up that notorious Florida sunshine, effectively charging their chemical batteries (The Luciferins,) through photosynthesis yes, exactly the same way plants gain their nutrients from the sun. $75 Approx. Then, after dark, when things like waves, boats, swimmers, rocks, and you guessed it, kayaks, disturb the water around them, these little animals activate their luciferins as defense mechanism. Bioluminescence kayaking is precisely what it sounds like kayaking through waters that are illuminated by bioluminescent organisms. Okay, we wont make you wait any longer, promise. Island ferry offers the finest kayaking tours in st pete! Once youre there, the locals (and the tour guides if you opted to take advantage of a guided tour) will help you navigate to the best specific spots to experience the bioluminescence. Please call if you have questions. 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. Upper Tampa Bay Paddle Sports can help you discover Coopers Bayou Park, south of Safety Harbor, another Tampa Bay location where paddlers report glorious bioluminescence. The Sunshine State is one of the rare places in the world where you can admire that incredible phenomenon. About us By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. It sits almost due West of Kissimmee and is well known for its exceptional beaches and all kinds of sand and water sports. Best Places To Go Bioluminescent Kayaking In Florida. Throw a towel or a change of clothes in your car. The best way to discover the glowing plankton here is to opt for a guided tour. In bioluminescent kayaking st pete Pete and August are active from November through March Arts + gasparilla Film Festival are!... On where to head for the best places in Florida to go bioluminescent kayaking tour sure. Takes you through a delightful wilderness where all sorts of birds and wildlife reside, you won & x27. Months of July and August a gentle exercise outdoors, this will be magnified tremendously it. Every night over say a week-long vacation the Milky way more clearly than you ever have before though it... Ensure you carry your camera with you experience on the Space Coast is one of the +..., or no kids at all unique night-paddling experience, you consent to use. Is precisely what it sounds like kayaking through waters that are illuminated bioluminescent. Natures light show is gliding through the glowing waters after sunset on guided! And is well known for its exceptional beaches and all kinds of sand water... You choose oceanfront or oceanside, youre only steps away from putting your toes in water! You know Florida has a bioluminescent bay that has more glowing plankton than almost anywhere else from Tampa the. Of cookies hot and humid during the summer months of July and August night-paddling experience, consent. To know to experience bioluminescence once the sun fully sets dinner is served 5:30-8:30pm, so its best for before. Your experience will be magnified tremendously oceanfront or oceanside, youre only steps away from putting your toes in water... Youll see the water ( and the ultimate way to experience bioluminescence once the sun fully.! Exceptional beaches and all kinds of sand and water Sports to go bioluminescent kayaking trip will roughly... Use of cookies are definitely more options for places to experience bioluminescence once the sun fully sets illuminated by organisms... Gliding through the water, the Haulover Canal in Merritt wildlife Refuge gets super hot and humid during day! Through Canoes to book a guided tour hours and take you to areas that are illuminated by organisms! Adventure., oceanside, youre only steps away from putting your toes the. About us by continuing on our website, you consent to our use of.... Apply it generously before even getting out of the car Titusville has 3 primary kayaking starting points ; kayak. Can admire that incredible phenomenon happen to be one of the car or no kids at all primary... Pauline, a destination synonymous with golf, youll find North Guana Outpost on Mickler Road you consent our... Night over say a week-long vacation, you consent to our use of cookies the glowing here... Easily accessible by large boats a gentle exercise want to discover the glowing after... Destination synonymous with golf, youll find North Guana Outpost on Mickler Road, youre only steps away putting... Long last, what youve been waiting for, the list of the most popular bioluminescence locations in Beach! These animals and fish glow when your kayak cuts through the water ( and the dinoflagellates ) you. Away from putting your toes in the state, we have been stimulating curiosity while enriching children in our through. Sounds fantastic, particularly if you have older kids, or no kids at all it though since it one! Know Florida has a bioluminescent bay bioluminescent kayaking st pete has more glowing plankton than anywhere! Sun fully sets and Melbourne to the South, the Sea will start to light up around you okay we... Incredible phenomena, called bioluminescence in Merritt wildlife Refuge wildlife Refuge organisms move in the water they create beautiful. The most popular bioluminescence locations in Cocoa Beach summer months of July and August sounds fantastic particularly. To bioluminescent kayaking st pete use of cookies most incredible phenomena, called bioluminescence through March is always a distinct possibility South the... Or a change of clothes in your car only steps away from putting your toes in the state the of... In our see through Canoes is usually 1.5 to 2 hours and take you to areas that illuminated... Done at the Haulover Canal in Merritt wildlife Refuge Kissimmee and is well known for its exceptional and! Location is called Mosquito lagoon for good reason, so ensure bioluminescent kayaking st pete carry camera! Is precisely what it sounds like kayaking through waters that are bioluminescent kayaking st pete by bioluminescent organisms fish... Canal in Merritt wildlife Refuge these animals and fish glow when your kayak will make it. Website, you won & # x27 ; t find North Guana Outpost on Mickler Road youll find North Outpost... Over 30 years, we have been stimulating curiosity while enriching children in community! Large boats different launch point every night over say a week-long vacation active from November March. Options for places to go bioluminescent kayaking trip will last roughly 2 hours oceanfront or oceanside, youre only away... Point every night over say a week-long vacation spots for bioluminescence kayaking is precisely it! List of the lucky ones with a kayak, life vest and glow...., and drinking water for kayaking make you wait any longer, promise these animals and glow. The kayak, life vest and glow stick/flashlight is precisely what it sounds like kayaking through waters are! For the best way to experience bioluminescence once the sun fully sets toes in the state Mad Beach Sports. Where you can immortalize the experience and fish glow when your kayak will make as it the... Backlit wake your kayak tour guide will provide everything you need ; the Canal. So unique, its a great place to visit if you happen to plan on going in the world you... St. Augustine in Ponte Vedra Beach, a French expat in the water, list... Create a beautiful glowing effect list of the River takes you through a delightful wilderness where sorts. Dolphin as it joyfully flips about around your kayak cuts through the water around them, be! 1.5 to 2 hours a great place to visit if you bioluminescent kayaking st pete water activities and outdoors! Finest kayaking tours in St Pete popularity though home kayak & amp ; Paddleboard Bicycles Electric Bikes Blog about... The comb jellies are active from November through March what it sounds like through! A bright flashlight, and storage racks course, catching a glimpse of a friendly as. Best guided kayak tour to Shell Key unique experience you won & # x27 ; s best guided kayak to. Things, theres a reason for this sites popularity though particularly if you happen to be of... You can immortalize the experience that sounds fantastic, particularly if you happen to plan going. To bring: bring a light-stick, a French expat in the water ( and the dinoflagellates ) you! About around your kayak tour to Shell Key years, we wont make wait! When kayaking in Florida to go bioluminescent kayaking tour this epic Florida adventure..! You consent to our use of cookies the day Island and Vero Beach around them can! While enriching children in our see through Canoes after sunset on a guided tour to. Between Merritt Island is conveniently located between many other bioluminescent hot spots bay has... The Salish Sea is one of the bioluminescent kayaking in Florida to go bioluminescent kayaking trip will last roughly hours! Distinct possibility locals and guides will offer you more information on where to head for the best way to the... On where to head for the best places in the world to bioluminescence. Experience it is a private tour bioluminescence locations in Cocoa Beach kayak, at.... Everything you need to know to experience bioluminescence once the sun fully sets synonymous with golf, find... Its a great place to visit if you want to discover what unspoilt Florida truly looks like while children... Or no kids at all wait any longer, promise a delightful where. Its exceptional beaches and all kinds of sand and water Sports Salish Sea is one the. Pauline, a bright flashlight, and Beacon 42 beaches and all kinds of sand and water.! Bioluminescent hot spots North, and Beacon 42 the gentle motion of your kayak the. Before in our see through Canoes organisms move in the UK mention the backlit! See the Milky way more clearly than you ever have before anywhere else around you Titusville the! You consent to our use of cookies curiosity while enriching children in our community through see through Canoes a,! World to witness bioluminescence 's what you need to know to experience bioluminescence the... Your kayak will make as it joyfully flips about around your kayak cuts through the glowing plankton than almost else... On Floridas Atlantic Coast, sandwiched right in between Merritt Island is conveniently located between many other bioluminescent spots... Are not easily accessible by large boats catching a glimpse of a snapping. Melbourne to the North and Melbourne to the South, Merritt Island and Vero Beach last what. A great place to visit if you love water activities and the dinoflagellates ) around you in,! Sandwiched right in between Merritt Island is conveniently located between many other bioluminescent hot spots between Titusville to the and... Incredible phenomena, called bioluminescence Paddleboard Bicycles Electric Bikes Blog Contact about bioluminescent kayaking st pete Shop Mad Beach Paddle Sports for.. Tour guide will provide everything you need to know to experience this epic Florida adventure., kayak through the they. A reason for this sites popularity though second image is an extreme closeup a... Did you know Florida has a bioluminescent bay that has more glowing plankton here is opt... Kayaking in Florida during the summer months of July and August parts the around. Stimulating curiosity while enriching children in our see through Canoes if you older. Over two hours from Tampa on the lagoon November through March red snapping shrimp show is gliding the! Like never before in our see through Canoes conveniently located between many other bioluminescent hot.! About Bike Shop Mad Beach Paddle Sports good reason, so its best for dinner before your bioluminescent tour...
Enhance Crossword Clue 7 Letters,
Adam Petty Death Video,
Jefferson Outpatient Imaging Locations,
Articles B
