Bioluminescence Rafting Tour – Cocoa Beach
Kiwanis Island Park
Join this Family Friendly Bioluminescence tour!
This tour launches from Kiwanis Island park just 5 miles from Cocoa Beach. This is a perfect way to spend an evening after your day at the beach. See the magical glow of bioluminescence in one of Florida’s best vacation destinations – world famous Cocoa Beach. BK Adventure is the only tour company offering family friendly rafts suitable for young children, older folks, or those who just want to be in a big fun group and not paddle a kayak!
Who would love this: This is great for groups who want to experience Florida’s amazing bioluminescence but do not want to kayak. It’s great for families with smaller children or those who feel more comfortable in a bigger boat than a kayak. The guides are fun, and remind you of days gone by as they help you paddle through the glowing bioluminescent water. Paddle rafts are very buoyant and sturdy, so they are fun for people of all ages and abilities. The rafts are steered by our professional rafting guides, so you can leave the steering to us! (But we do ask you help paddle, and the water will glow with lighted dinoflagellates). If you want a smaller boat try our Cocoa Beach Cocoa Beach Clear Kayaking Bioluminescent Tour, or the Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour
When to go: For comb jellies – Nov – Mar; for plankton bioluminescence May – October are the best times for this tour. Since space on rafts is limited, please book in advance. There is a minimum of 4 people per raft required. BK’s Bioluminescence tours in rafts tend to sell out, book early!
What is included
- Paddle raft
- PFD
- Guides
What you should bring
- Insect repellent
- Towel
- Flashlight
- Water bottle
Departure schedule
Nightly in summer with multiple start times.
Moon Notice
Moonlight effects this tour and how brightly you will see bioluminescence. The less moonlight, the brighter the bioluminescent sea creatures will appear. Please check the Moon Calendar before booking.
What will the bio look like on your tour?
The photos used for bioluminescence must be taken in absolutely perfect condition. Remember, bioluminescence is light created by living creatures. Like anything in nature, it can be hard to capture. Photos of bioluminescence are taken in perfect conditions at the height of the season. Your tour may feature comb jellies, or plankton that are not as concentrated as the would be in mid- July to mid-September. For more about seeing bioluminescence, read about it here.
What makes this bioluminescence tour so special?
Many kayaking companies in the area get as many people out on the water as possible. They use two person sit on top kayaks, with group size of about 60 people. At BK Adventure Eco Tours, we like keep our groups smaller to give you a more intimate feel with the nature around us. We think this creates a better outdoor experience. Join us for an exploration of the bioluminescent Indian River Lagoon in one of Florida’s most eco-diverse rivers. On very dark nights, the water glows with each stroke of your kayak paddle.
BK Adventure has many guides who are trained biologist who specialize in Florida ecology. They love to answer your questions about marine life, birds and nature. In summer, our tour at Kelly Park (Merritt Island, Florida) is the closest and most convenient kayak launch for Bio Bay tour near Orlando and Cape Canaveral. It is just 5 minutes from Port Canaveral Cruises and 45 minutes from Disney and Universal area.
Meeting Point
This Rafting Tour meets at Kiwanis Island Park – 951 Kiwanis Island Park Rd, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Finding the launch site:
Enter Kiwanis Island park and drive almost all the way to the back. Our launch points are across the street from the tennis courts in the grassy area. It is dark, so look for our staff to greet you. They will be wearing bright orange shirts.
Latest Tour Conditions & Updates
FAQ
Our tours rarely cancel due to weather. If it is raining the day of the tour, chances are, with Florida weather, it will clear up by the time your tour starts. Sometimes we will hold the tour by 30 minutes for the weather to clear. In the case of lightning, high winds, or some other reason that we cannot paddle, we will re-schedule all guests to the very next tour available, or at a convenient time for you. Rainchecks are valid for 1 year.
Ram, the owner, likes to say, "You bring the spray, we'll bring the mosquitos!" We cannot guarantee there will be mosquitos, but there is a 99% change there will be. Some breezy nights have no mosquitoes. Some nights there are a lot. The other pest is No-See-Ums. The best way to keep them away is with Baby Oil. So, consider slathering on a layer of Baby Oil to any exposed skin. PLEASE BRING MOSQUITO SPRAY.
We like to think so, but we cannot guarantee it. Here are the best conditions: hot weather, right after a rain storm, dark night. Sometimes the night is dark even when the moon is supposed to be bright. Sometimes a barely visible moon occurs on such a clear night, that even the slightest shine makes it seem bright. So, there are many factors that make the bioluminescence more/less visible.
The BEST TIME for glowing algae (dinoflagellates) brightness is usually July to October. But we see it all year round, and in November, we see amazing flashing comb jellies! So, don't miss out because your vacation does not fall during the summer months.
Because of wildlife and environmental protection we have a limited number of boats we can launch at one time. There will be 6-10 people in your raft depending on the size of the boat.
This tour is better for small children. We recommend only for small children who are able to sit still for at least 90 minutes. Please bring USCG issued life vest for toddlers to be sure it is a good fit. We do have child size life vests available for 3+.
This depends on your launch site: either Kelly Park is near Port Canaveral right off of Hwy. 528 (about 45 mins from Orlando), or in peak-season also, Haulover Canal in Titusville, Florida (1 hr; 15 mins from Orlando). Kelly Park near Cocoa Beach is the closer launch site to Miami.
We can manage groups up to 22 people for rafting. We have 3 rafts to accommodate this. We recommend you book weekend nights at least 45 days in advance for large groups. Weekdays is best, as those are easier to find spaces for. Please phone us for details, and we will be happy to get you and ALL your wonderful friends out for the tour! See more about our Group Tours here.
The weight limit for 1 raft is about 2400lbs. We can accommodate people of varying sizes in our rafts. Be sure you can get in and out of the raft on your own.
Because of the limited availability of our rafts and clear kayaks, they tend to book up quickly. Please call us (407-519-8711) if there is a time/day you would like that is not available for online booking. We may be able to get you on. But, generally for bioluminescence tours it is best to book 30 days in advance for New Moon and Dark Skies weeks, and about 2 weeks in advance for all other tours. This will help ensure you get the time and tour that you want.
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Clear Kayak Bioluminescence – Cocoa Beach
This is the ONLY Clear Kayaks Bioluminescence Tour near Cocoa Beach. Just minutes away at Kiwanis Island Park, spend an evening with us experiencing the magic of bioluminescence in these amazing glass-like kayaks. See why guests call it a "mystical" moment!
THIS TOUR SELLS OUT FAST - BOOK IN ADVANCE!
Florida Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour – Wildlife Refuge – Titusville
Join our Bioluminescent Kayaking Tours just 1 hour from Orlando. Departs nightly throughout the year. See the amazing glowing waters of Florida's own "Bioluminescent Bay" on the Indian River Lagoon. New Moon Tours Sell Out, So Book Early - This is the #1 Bioluminescence Tour in Florida!
Private Tours
Experience the Magic of Bioluminescence in Your Own Way -Take a Private Tour! With the recent changes in tourism and social distancing, we have opened up a whole new line of private bioluminescence tours just for you! Guests can choose from any of our bioluminescence tours, including the popular Clear Kayak Bioluminescent Tour and get […]