A frequent question we get asked at BK Adventure is when is the best time to see bioluminescence? In fact, we actually see bioluminescence all year long. While in the summer time, we see bioluminescence produced by dinoflagellate organisms, in the winter, we see bioluminescence produced by comb jellies. Both provide a glowing affect that lights up the water!
Despite bioluminescence being present throughout the year, moonlight can sometimes affect the bioluminescence viewing experience. On nights when the moon is full and bright, the moonlight will reflect onto the water, which can result in the bioluminescence appearing dimmer and less visible. We typically recommend going around a new moon when the moon is not visible to avoid this.
However, there are also what we like to call ‘dark sky nights’. This is when the moon rises later in the evening or early the next morning. Depending on the time of your booking, even if it’s not a new moon, the moon will not be visible as it will not have risen yet! This makes it just as good of a time to go as a new moon night.
JANUARY
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 6pm/6:30pm and end around 7:30pm/8pm throughout the month of January. The moon will not be visible at these times January 8th – January 22nd. The new moon is January 21st, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight January 21st – January 28th.
FEBRUARY
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 6:30pm/6:45pm and end around 8pm/8:15pm throughout the month of February. The moon will not be visible at these times February 8th – February 20th. The new moon is February 20th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight February 20th – February 27th.
MARCH
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 6:45pm/7pm and end around 8:15pm/8:30pm until March 11th. Due to the time change, tours will begin around 7:45pm/8pm and end around 9:15pm/9:30pm for the rest of March. The moon will not be visible at these times March 9th – March 20th. The new moon is March 21st, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight March 21st – March 28th.
APRIL
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 8pm/8:30pm and end around 9:30pm/10pm throughout the month of April. The moon will not be visible at these times April 8th – April 19th. The new moon is April 20th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight April 20th – April 27th.
MAY
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 8:30pm/8:45pm and end around 10pm/10:15pm throughout the month of May. The moon will not be visible at these times May 7th – May May 19th. The new moon is May 19th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight May 19th – May 26th.
During the month of May, we may add on 10:15pm/10:30pm tours that end around 11:45pm/12pm. The moon will not be visible at these times May 10th – May 20th.
JUNE
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 8:30pm/8:45pm and end around 10pm/10:15pm throughout the month of June. The moon will not be visible at these times June 5th – June 18th. The new moon is June 18th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight June 18th – June 25th.
*During the month of June, we may add on 10:15pm/10:30pm tours that end around 11:45pm/12pm. The moon will not be visible at these times June 8th – June 19th.
*We may also add on 12am/12:15am tours that end around 1:30am/1:45am. The moon will not be visible at these times June 10th – June 22nd.
JULY
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 8:30pm/8:45pm and end around 10pm/10:15pm throughout the month of July. The moon will not be visible at these times July 4th – July 16th. The new moon is July 17th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight July 17th – July 24th.
*During the month of July, we may add on 10:15pm/10:30pm tours that end around 11:45pm/12pm. The moon will not be visible at these times July 8th – July 19th.
*We may also add on 12am/12:15am tours that end around 1:30am/1:45am. The moon will not be visible at these times July 11th – July 24th.
AUGUST
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 8pm/8:30pm and end around 9:30pm/10pm throughout the month of August. The moon will not be visible at these times August 4th – August 16th. The new moon is August 16th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight August 16th – August 23rd.
*During the month of August, we may add on 10:15pm/10:30pm tours that end around 11:45pm/12pm. The moon will not be visible at these times August 7th – August 24th.
*We may also add on 12am/12:15am tours that end around 1:30am/1:45am. The moon will not be visible at these times August 11th – August 24th.
SEPTEMBER
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 7:45pm/8pm and end around 9:15pm/9:30pm throughout the month of September. The moon will not visible at these times September 2nd – September 14th. The new moon is September 14th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight September 14th – September 21st.
*During the month of September, we may add on 9:30pm/9:45pm tours that end around 11pm/11:15pm. The moon will not be visible at these times September 6th – September 18th.
*We may also add on 11:15pm/11:30pm tours that end around 12:30am/12:45am. The moon will not be visible at these times September 8th – September 20th.
OCTOBER
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 7pm/7:30pm and end around 8:30pm/9pm throughout the month of October. The moon will not be visible at these times October 2nd – October 14th. The new moon is October 14th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight October 14th – October 21st.
NOVEMBER
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 6pm/6:15pm and end around 7:30pm/7:45pm throughout the month of November. The moon will not be visible at these times November 1st – November 13th. The new moon is November 13th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight November 13th – November 20th.
DECEMBER
Our bioluminescence tours begin around 6pm/6:15pm and end around 7:30pm/7:45pm throughout the month of December. The moon will not be visible at these times December 1st – December 13th. The new moon is December 12th, which will allow for continued minimal moonlight December 12th – December 19th.
Click here to see our full 2023 bioluminescence moon calendar.
New moons and dark sky nights fill up quickly – typically months in advance in the summer time! Make sure to book your tour today: https://www.bkadventure.com/florida-bioluminescent-kayaking/
If you have any further questions or concerns about what date to go, our office is always happy to help you pick the perfect evening. You can give us a call at (407) 519-8711 or email us at [email protected].
