Manatees Sunset Tour: Bioluminescent Wildlife Refuge Experience
4.9
153 Ratings
Mims
Embark on a thrilling sunset tour in the wildlife refuge, where you'll encounter manatees, dolphins, and a variety of birds. Experience the mesmerizing bioluminescence of the season for an unforgettable adventure!
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

What to Expect - A drive that is 20 minutes east of Titusville out on the Refuge
• No restroom facilities at the launch site (visitor center is the closest)
• Just under two hours on the water for a leisurely paddle
• Expect to get a little wet – depends on you (or possibly your friends)
• To see lots of wildlife and stretch those muscles a little
• To learn some basics about paddling and more about local wildlife
• To wear your life vest & whistle :)
• Great guides who enjoy their work and keep you safe
• Lots of outdoor fun and a desire to come back real soon

Points of Interest

  • Haulover Canal Kayak Launch
What's Included
  • Kayak
  • Professional guide
  • PFD (Personal Floatation Device)
  • Paddle
  • 2-hour kayak tour
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Immerse yourself in a triad of unique adventures during a three-hour tour at the wildlife sanctuary! Commence your journey by launching your kayak amidst the day and get engulfed by Florida’s favorite endangered species, the West Indian Manatees! Enjoy their gentle and playful behavior as they roll, sniff, and nuzzle around you. During this period, you may also spot Dolphins in the neighboring bay, busy catching their meal.

Move on to the Bird Island, a region under federal protection, to witness hundreds of birds in flight. Ibis, herons, egrets, pelicans, cormorants, and roseate spoonbills, amongst others, fly in groups to their nests as nightfall approaches. Allow the smooth motion of your kayak to soothe you as you witness the various hues of sunset painting the sky.

In conclusion, prepare to witness the spectacle of the season’s bioluminescent phenomenon, be it the summer bioluminescence, winter comb jelly bioluminescence, or the magnificent view of a starry, moonlit sky.

  • What to bring:
  • Clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet. Towel (left in car)
  • Water Shoes – sandals or Crocs that can be worn in the water
  • Bring an extra change of clothes just in case
  • Camera & Dry bag (optional) These are fairly useless to capture bioluminescence, but great for capturing people.
  • Bottled water, Snacks
  • Any special personal paddling gear if you like
  • You may bring a flashlight, though we will provide a safety light.
Location
Haulover Canal Kayak Launch
Haulover Road Southwest
Launching from Haulover Canal - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge https://goo.gl/maps/726pkP1XvoQm2eXP8 Haulover Canal Launch Site is 20 minutes east of Titusville on the NW corner of Haulover Canal. **If you have any difficulty finding us you may reach us at** After 5pm 321-284-1555
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(153 Ratings)
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Angelct5539jw
Mar 30, 2024
The best part of our two week vacation in Florida - This is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had on vacation this year. All four of my kids loved it. We all got to see everything we expected to see our tour. Our tour guide Freedom was absolutely amazing friendly talkative, very knowledgeable about all the wildlife We seen she was very interactive with us and the kids. She was absolutely amazing. We enjoyed the laid-back, fun, kayaking tour. We almost thought we were gonna have to skip it because we scheduled it and the winds were too high on our last day of vacation. Luckily, we stayed an extra day just to do the kayak tour and we are so grateful to have Freedom as our guide. I lived in Florida for a good portion of my life and still learned a lot of information about the local wildlife from her. She is definitely an asset on your tour guide crew!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mroth086
Mar 17, 2024
Mondo Tour Review March 15th - We had Chaz as our guide and we were lucky enough to be partnered with a huge group that went off with another guide so we were super lucky in having him all to ourselves. Chaz had amazing knowledge and really took us to some amazing places. We saw tons of Manatees, sat with a couple dolphins for over an hour, saw and felt some of the big red drum fish and then...to top it all off we saw a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch at night!!! so cool. This is our 4th tour with A Day Away - and they always seem to get better and better. The guides are super friendly and helpful and you get to see some of the natural world. A MUST HAVE add-on to your Orlando vacation AND if you are local like we are, its amazing to experience all this so close to home.
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Sarah_the_wanderlust
Jan 21, 2024
Chaz is a rockstar guide! 🌟 - Chaz is a rockstar guide! Super bubbly, genuine and knowledgeable. He taylors the tour to what you want to see and facts/info to your interests (history, animal species, fun facts, weird stories) 5 🌟 dad jokes, guaranteed to keep you smiling or anoy your teenager. VIP service, no helping to carry gear or even get your toes wet stepping into the kayak. The tour itself was amazing. There's nothing like watching a beautiful scarlet sunset over glass water with dolphins all around you. It was both breathtaking and peaceful. Perfect way to refill your shockrahs. Once in a lifetime. I would definitely choose a day away again.
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638mollyo
Jan 10, 2024
Super fun way to get out in nature - This trip was so fun! We learned a lot of about the area and the animals. They even offered a "paddle buddy" (for an additional cost) so my group of 3 (2 kids and myself) could participate.
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Companion40896449860
Jan 5, 2024
Great Sunset tour - Sunset tour was great! Loved seeing dolphins and birds in the light and jellyfish in the dark. Chilly in Jan but totally worth it. Too cold for Mantees but maybe next time. Chaz was a great guide and the price was more reasonable than other companies. Book with them directly!
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Davemv3001ee
Jan 3, 2024
Amazing Experience - Was in Tampa for a work convention and had stayed an extra day. I was looking for a kayak trip and based on many positive reviews, I made the trip across the state. This was one of the best and most unique kayaking adventures I have ever been on, I highly recommend and will definitely go again if in the area.
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K3488wqjesseb
Oct 21, 2023
Great time but bring stuff for bugs - Had a great time with Chili as the tour guide. There were a bunch of manatees and dolphins right at the parking spot. The other wildlife is fun to see. It was towards the end of bioilluminessence season so it was just a white haze that would show up but we got to see some small cone jellies. For anyone going, bring baby oil for no-see-ums and bug spray for mosquitoes or wear good tight fitting clothes and long sleeves. I didn’t think I was getting bit during the tour or maybe just dealt with it, but the no-see-ums bit me up wherever there was exposed skin with shorts and short sleeve shirt (feet, lower and upper leg, tops of feet, upper and lower arm).
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Mereditha223
Oct 2, 2023
Great tour! Awesome guide. - This was a lovely tour. Our tour guide, Freedom, was really knowledgeable and engaged. She gave a lot of information about the area and the wildlife. We saw some dolphins, as well as a ton of manatees who were very curious about us and were snuffling around the boats. We were also out while the moon was rising which was very beautiful, and we got to see some sparkles in the water from the bio-luminescence.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marv024
Sep 17, 2023
Amazing views of nature!! Wow!! - Mid September paddle with friends. Tanner was an EXCELLENT guide. No real sunset due to storm clouds in the distance, but it was not an issue. The bio was bright & glowing! Manatees we’re plentiful. Very relaxing paddle with nothing but nature. Will be back very soon! Thanks Tanner!!
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Nicolehr9679bf
Aug 24, 2023
A totally memorable and unbelievable experience! - From the moment I made reservations over the phone the morning of the tour, to the very end of our tour, staff was exceptional! Chili shared tons of interesting information about the Wildlife Refuge, the animals we could be potentially seeing and his experiences with what other guests have seen. We were lucky to have seen just about everything, beautiful birds, alligators, stunning manatees, dolphins, osprey, amazing sunset and the mysterious and magical bioluminous. What a show mother nature provided and well hosted by Chili. Thank you so much for making my husband and my 60th birthday a memorable one. 💗
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May 2024
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