Self-Guided Kayak Tour: Manatee and Dolphin Viewing
3.7
12 Ratings
Cape Canaveral
Experience a self-guided kayak tour with A1A Beach Rentals and enjoy the thrill of manatee and dolphin viewing. No guide needed, just paddle at your own pace and explore the marine wildlife.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • A1A Beach Rentals - Typically, your adventure begins at our store where we verify the specifics of your excursion, before heading to the chosen launch site for kayaking, which is generally a brief 5-10 minute drive away. Should you lack a vehicle, kindly reach out to us to organize transportation.
  • Cocoa Beach - Discover the untouched marine environment of our coastal barrier island in the tranquil bay waters, navigating through mangrove clusters while searching for friendly manatees and frolicking dolphins.
What's Included
  • Park and Launch Fees included
  • Accommodation according to the itinerary
What's Not Included
  • Starter Guide Gratuities (recommended)
  • Guide Service on the water
  • Kayak or paddling lessons
Additional Information

A1A Beach Rentals stands at the forefront of planned outdoor engagements, nature-focused kayak excursions, and a plethora of biking and water-based activities. We provide the complete kayak kit for your group to enjoy a personal paddling experience at a location of your choice or wherever manatee and dolphin sightings promise the most excitement. This tour is an excellent choice for those with prior kayaking experience who don’t need a guide. Take pleasure in tranquil manatee and dolphin watching, alongside other sea creatures, at your leisure, and maneuver as you please, ensuring the privacy of your group.

If you desire a tour led by a guide or require paddling instructions, kindly head back to our homepage and pick one of our guided tours.

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • Expect to get wet from the waist down.
  • Consider keeping essential items dry.
  • Sunscreen, hats, bugspray, and hydration are all suggested but not required by us. We sell these at our store.
  • This tour is not a “guided” tour. Lessons are not provided. You are expected to have a working knowldedge of flat water paddling. If you want a guide or instructions please return to our main page and choose a guided tour.
Location
A1A Beach Rentals & Outdoor Center
North Atlantic Avenue
Meet at our shop for check in, then follow us to the kayaking location. This is 5-10 minutes by car from our shop. If you are travelling by taxi, Uber, Lyft, by bicycle, or walking, we need to make arrangement to get you to the kayak launch site, so please call us to determine the best solution.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.7
(12 Ratings)
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Lisaaaa55
Aug 4, 2022
Interesting and so fun - We went out with guide Frank in the Banana River to see bioluminescence. We saw that and a whole lot more! Frank was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He took us to very dark areas where the bioluminescence was clear to see. We stepped onto bird island and saw so many darting fish, a horseshoe crab, and many birds. It was a very memorable kayak trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
462kanee
Apr 7, 2021
Definitely Recommend A1 Rentals - Saw a some dolphins, a few horseshoe crabs, and watched a few birds catch some fish. Daven was really nice. Great price. Definitely recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Prescook
Mar 30, 2021
Driver Dave- Self paddle boarding - Driver Dave was super friendly. We appreciated his experience and help! We had a great conversation with him before setting out to the ocean.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hecher1
Jan 16, 2021
Great Experience - Excellent service and experience. Will definitely use their service again to tour the Cocoa Beach Thousand Islands mangroves.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B-rittspacecoast
Mar 22, 2020
Awesome day on the River - I'm a Cocoa Beach local & A1A helped my family & I out with a tandem kayak rental when we were short one. They were able to fill our request last minute and we had an awesome day on the Banana River thanks to them! Will be back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gingerkid-nomad
Aug 29, 2023
A great day! Manatees, dolphins, NASA’s VAB and more. - I highly recommend launching at Mullet Road. I did a solo rental. I had asked if I would see manatees because there was a small sanctuary park not far, but my guide said they don’t see many. OK, I wasn’t expecting manatees. So, when one came up for air only about 8’ away from my kayak, it startled me, but then I was thrilled! I wasn’t paddling at that moment, so he was probably just curious and came up to see what I was. I saw dolphins not too far away, NASA’s VAB, a couple of cruise ships in port and the the old lock system. That was all before I was even a mile out! On my return, there were 2 dolphins literally frolicking in the cove where I departed and retuned. I admit I was too busy fighting the wind to take a lot of pics, but totally worth it!! The only reason this didn’t get a full five stars was the equipment. If you have lower back issues, the back support is hard and attached to the kayak, and no seat. I sat on my life jacket and it helped a bit, but after three lower back surgeries and almost five miles of paddling, I was definitely feeling it. I recommend just bringing a couple of folded beach towels and drape them over the back support and the seat. If you don’t have these issues, I’m jealous and you’ll be just fine. The guides were very nice and friendly. I will definitely be renting from them on our next trip over! 🤗
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nightsky2029
Feb 13, 2020
Unique experience - Really good kayaking! Unique experience going through three mangrove tunnels and got to see the manatees up close! Followed a family for a while. Navigating can be a little tricky but using GPS definitely helped.
Review provided by Viator
Daniel_l
Mar 10, 2020
10,000 lakes - I made the reservations online and the instructions were to contact the tour company direct to confirm. This took some persistence and We finally got in contact with them after many calls and was able to confirm. We got the kayaks with no problem on our day so that part is acceptable. We requested full size kayaks but they showed up with a smaller one and a larger one so we made it work. The fellows that met us at the landing to deliver kayaks knew little about the area and said they were out of maps so we were lucky to run into one of their competitors that gave us good info to make the best of our time. It was important to us to find a self guided rental so this company worked in that regard. If your looking for equipment to be there for your use they were ok. Just go up on shore by the public landing and review that map that shows the route of the water trail through the mangrove. We enjoyed ourself and covered 5 miles in3.5 hrs. Saw two dolphins. Regardless who you get kayaks from it is a must do and we will do it again.
Review provided by Viator
Unhappya1arentalssux
Apr 10, 2020
Very DISSAPOINTING !!!! - My family had 2 days of rentals lined up and when we get to Cocoa Beach and we call and this guy Dave answered very rudely, and lost are appointment. My children were so disappointed, Dave next time you swear at people on the phone,think about how PATHETIC you are. And remember there are reviews now!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donna_s
Mar 14, 2020
No refund if you ca’t kayak due to weather conditions - No refund give if you prepay for Kayaking but can’t use due to weather conditions. We were advised not to go out by staff.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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