Florida Bioluminescent Kayak & Paddle Board Adventure
Overview
With A Paddle in Paradise, you’ll enjoy one of the most authentic and intimate bioluminescent kayak and paddle board tours in Florida. Unlike large outfitters that pack 25+ people into one group, we keep tours small—around 12 guests, with a 15-person max—offering a peaceful, personalized experience and better views of the glowing water. We are close to Cocoa Beach and Orlando.
Each tour is locally guided by Nate, Jess or Jeff, giving you a laid-back, guest-first vibe where you're treated like a friend, not a number. Paddle under the stars through the Indian River Lagoon, one of the only places in the world where bioluminescent dinoflagellates and comb jellies light up the water.
What's Included
- Photos of your excursion are inlcuded
- Gratuities not included in booking price
Meeting Location
951 Kiwanis Island Park Road
Merritt Island, FL 32952, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Discover the Indian River lagoon with "A Paddle in Paradise". Just a short drive from Orlando and Cocoa Beach, this small-group experience lets you witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing phenomena—bioluminescence— during the summer we have dinoflagellates and in the winter glowing comb jellies!
Led by a passionate local guides, you’ll glide along on one of the few places in the world where both dinoflagellates and bioluminescent comb jellies can be seen.
Seasonal Bioluminescence Highlights:
✨ May–Early October: Paddle through glowing blue trails created by billions of bioluminescent dinoflagellates, late season jellies
✨ Early October/November–April: Encounter glowing comb jellies, plus other nocturnal wildlife like stingrays, puffer fish, and horseshoe crabs, illuminated with NOQUA lighting systems
* October is transitional. You may see both
Choose your style—stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or a stable Kayak-Mod, which has higher comfort and stablity than a traditional kayak—and enjoy a relaxed, 1 hour and 45-minute journey in a small group (12 guests on average)
For the best experience, and for the latest bio updates and information, check us out apaddleinparadise . com
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Our equipment has a max weight of 285lbs if you exceed this please contact us directly for acomadtions before booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For all amendments, please contact us directly before making any amendments to ensure availability for your selected time. in the event an amendment is made without contacting us directly, we may not be able to accomadate your change, and we will not have space for you to participate.
- It is the guests responsabilty to provide adaquite and up to date contact info in case changes or updates to your tour, if using an international number and we cannot get ahold of you with location changes or cancelations refunds will not be provided. We are not able to call internatinal numbers, updates will be sent via [BRAND] messege center. Updates on weather and potential location changes will be sent via the messenger app. Please be sure to check these messages the day of your tour.
- This event is rain or shine. As long as no thunder, Lightning, or heavy winds in the area and conditions are safe the tours will commence
- In the event of severe weather we may go on a 30 minute weather hold. After 30 minutes if it is safe to go out we will start the excursion if not a refund will be provided.
- This activity is a physical activity and requires people to paddle and operate their own water craft
- Your ticket will have instructions to our daily updates page with the most current lanch site and weather conditions
- This excursion requires a minimum number of travelers to operate. In the very rare event a minimum is not met you may be asked to move to a different launch time
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (12)
Q: Are there any weight restrictions for kayaking?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-357987P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 210 traveler reviews collected by Cool Everglades and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (12)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Everglades customers.
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The maximum weight capacity for kayaking is 340 lbs / 154 kg.
Nov 2021No experience is necessary! Beginners are welcome on all of our kayak tours. Most of our guests have never been in a sea kayak before. Anyone in average physical condition may join a kayak tour. If you can hike or bike, you can paddle our sea kayaks. You do not need any swimming skills either.
The only prerequisite is a healthy spirit of curiosity and adventure.
Regardless of age or skill level you will find that our expeditions offer enough flexibility to make your experience with us safe and rewarding. We will show you proper sea kayaking technique and water safety before leaving the beach. And your expert guides will be with you throughout the adventure to give you pointers and improve your skills.
Sep 2022As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Florida Bioluminescent Kayak & Paddle Board Adventure. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022Your safety is Cool Everglades’s number one concern. In general, sea kayaking is safer than most other outdoor pursuits, even bicycling.
Jan 2023If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Photos of your excursion are inlcuded.
- Gratuities not included in booking price.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 5. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Florida Bioluminescent Kayak & Paddle Board Adventure is as follows:
- Our equipment has a max weight of 285lbs if you exceed this please contact us directly for acomadtions before booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Florida Bioluminescent Kayak & Paddle Board Adventure will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Everglades. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Photos of your excursion are inlcuded
- Gratuities not included in booking price
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Our equipment has a max weight of 285lbs if you exceed this please contact us directly for acomadtions before booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For all amendments, please contact us directly before making any amendments to ensure availability for your selected time. in the event an amendment is made without contacting us directly, we may not be able to accomadate your change, and we will not have space for you to participate.
- It is the guests responsabilty to provide adaquite and up to date contact info in case changes or updates to your tour, if using an international number and we cannot get ahold of you with location changes or cancelations refunds will not be provided. We are not able to call internatinal numbers, updates will be sent via viator messege center. Updates on weather and potential location changes will be sent via the messenger app. Please be sure to check these messages the day of your tour.
- This event is rain or shine. As long as no thunder, Lightning, or heavy winds in the area and conditions are safe the tours will commence
- In the event of severe weather we may go on a 30 minute weather hold. After 30 minutes if it is safe to go out we will start the excursion if not a refund will be provided.
- this activity is a physical activity and requires people to paddle and operate their own water craft
- Your ticket will have instructions to our daily updates page with the most current lanch site and weather conditions
- This excursion requires a minimum number of travelers to operate. In the very rare event a minimum is not met you may be asked to move to a different launch time
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
