In this case, it would be more even more recommended to book a guided tour as the guides will make sure to bring you to spots that are better during the full moon. They produce a dazzling, flashing blue-green light when theyre touched, and they always create unique colors, so each time you see them, its different. Indian River Lagoon is on Floridas Atlantic Coast, sandwiched right in between Merritt Island and Vero Beach. $75 Approx. It boasts direct access to the Guana River and is only a short stroll to the beach at Micklers Landing, about two miles from the Intracoastal Waterway. Several of these organisms also produce luciferase, which is a catalyst chemical that helps to speed up the reaction. Located on the opposite side of the peninsula this time, Fort De Soto County Park is in Pinellas County, Florida, in an outlying area off Floridas western Gulf Coast. One of the best places to go Bioluminescence Kayaking in Florida. Tampa is the third largest city in the state of Florida and is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. All rights reserved. Trip Host: Carol Elwood. The guides here are the most knowledgeable and experienced of the bunch, and will teach you more about the area, the phenomenon, its science, and its history, than pretty much anyplace else. Obviously, avoiding the full moon, is even a better idea. The Best Australia Quiz: 163 Australian Questions and Answers for your trivia night. Im Pauline, a French expat in the UK! Launch times vary as this is a private tour. Hidden Gems in Florida 15 Awesome Secret Spots From a Local. Here are some of the best specific places to kayak and observe bioluminescent organisms in action. The park makes up for this limitation with other numerous attractions, including museums, lush foliage, and beautiful beaches. Take in the sights and wildlife. Its pretty unique and places like Jervis Bay, in Australia or Florida, in the USA are particularly famous for it. Like everywhere else on these excursions, if you decide to take advantage of one of the many professionally guided tours, the guides know exactly where to go and when. Not to be outdone, north-central Brevard Countys Banana River Aquatic Preserve, bordered between Merritt Island on the west and the beach barrier island on the east, features a surface water area of roughly 30,000 acres. Most of the bioluminescent organisms are fish, jellies and plankton. St Pete Pier Glow Nights. This includes explanations, tips, what to wear and of course, the best places for bioluminescent kayaking in Florida! Bioluminescence is one of the best things to do in Florida during the summer, especially since its not the busy season but do not worry, even if you are visiting in winter, youll get to experience it as well. Bioluminescent kayaking is a popular activity in the area, and most companies will offer tours. Planktons are many and they create a wonderful glow whenever you glide above them in your kayak. There is a man-made canal, the Haulover canal, from where you can launch your kayak and then paddle east, under the drawbridge and past the Manatee Observation deck. Dont let the street view fool you. These are tiny marine life forms that are capable of producing light through a chemical reaction, often in response to movement or stress. St Pete Beach Glass Bottom Mangroves, St Petersburg; Sugarloaf Key, Florida Keys; Shell Key Preserve, Tampa - GLOW TOUR . Now, are you ready to discover the best places to see bioluminescence in Florida while kayaking? Even though the fictional world of Pandora is a completely man-made experience, both you and your children will be awestruck as you experience kayaking on a moveable mass and encounter scores of fish that illuminate whenever they are disturbedjust like real world bioluminescent kayaking. Try Bioluminescence Kayaking in Florida . This tour is great for couples as well as families and small and large groups alike. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. Get Up and Go Kayaking offers 90-minute tandem kayak bioluminescent tours with 100% clear kayaks in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for $77 per person (adult). Your kayak tour guide will provide everything you need; the kayak, life vest and glow stick/flashlight. Obviously, you need as little light as possible to see the bioluminescence so your adventure will have to be at night. This is one of the best kayaking experiences you will have in your life. End your evening in a hammock or chaise lounge under the stars before retreating to your room. Founded in 1985, this locally-owned diner is one-of-a-kind. Here are some suggestions for the best places to experience bioluminescent kayaking in each of these Florida bio bays: Cocoa Beach: The undeveloped Banana River Aquatic Preserve Indian River Lagoon: Mosquito Lagoon Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge: Haulover Canal, smack in the middle of the refuge with zero light pollution Then, after dark, when things like waves, boats, swimmers, rocks, and you guessed it, kayaks, disturb the water around them, these little animals activate their luciferins as defense mechanism. This incredibly beautiful stretch of river takes you through a delightful wilderness where all sorts of birds and wildlife can easily be seen, so dont forget to keep that camera handy. Though youll still be able to see the bioluminescence, it wont look anywhere near as spectacular as it would on a moonless or overcast night when no natural light is coming from the sky. There is a kayak launch at the marina. Because they live on dry land, we have all seen and are familiar with fireflies. Bring your own kayak, paddleboard, or standup board, and they will provide everything else! At long last, what youve been waiting for, the list of the best places in Florida to go bioluminescent kayaking! "The swirling of your hand, every paddle stroke, the darting trails of ne 10 Best Places to Go Bioluminescence Kayaking in Florida, Best places to go swimming with Dolphins in Florida. Most commonly known as the home of the Kennedy Space Center and launch site of many of Americas most historical NASA spaceflights, it also happens to be one of the quieter places to launch your kayak from if its your goal to stay away from crowds. This section of the river takes you through a delightful wilderness where all sorts of birds and wildlife reside. Titusville is the home to NASA (an attraction by itself), wildlife refuges, and beautiful spots where your family can engage in bioluminescence kayaking. You would be well advised to bring copious quantities of repellant if youre planning to use mosquito lagoon as the starting point for your adventure. See the water like never before in our See Through Canoes. The Gulf of Nicoya in Paquera boasts some truly spectacular bioluminescence. While kayaking, there is also a really good chance that you will encounter a good many fireflies along the shore. Upper Tampa Bay Paddle Sports can help you discover Coopers Bayou Park, south of Safety Harbor, another Tampa Bay location where paddlers report glorious bioluminescence. Titusville has 3 primary kayaking starting points; the Haulover Canal South, the Haulover Canal North, and Beacon 42. Bioluminescence is light produced and emitted by living things. Grab your friends for this sunset/illuminated kayak adventure to the St Pete Pier explore the water At NIGHT! Just dont get so enthralled by Pandora that you forget to check out the other entertainment options available to you while youre there. The comb jellies are active from November through March. The small beach town is a haven for water sports lovers. Prices range from $65 $135 per person depending on destination (Indian River or Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel or Thousand Island waterways) and kayak choice (glass bottom or regular, tandem or single) with Cocoa Kayaking as your guide. Secondly, the areas where you will go are all known for being home to many mosquitoes. The incredible plankton are in abundance here but not as easily accessible as other places. When can I see bioluminescence in Florida? Kayak Tours and Kayaking Adventures in St Pete Beach. Its also used by numerous tour companies and offers both day and night excursions. It is a very surreal feeling as you glide across the water in darkness with only the blue reaction in the water and the stars providing light. Here are three groups: A happy paddler is a paddler who plans ahead. Cocoa Beach is well known as a great surfing destination. About us Be sure to check out the other entertainment options inside this place while you are here. The best way to discover the glowing plankton here is to opt for a guided tour. You may even encounter some faint glow from the plankton, its just usually not a big time of the year for either one, but they are still there and you will almost certainly see somejust not as much as at other times of the year. This is not quite the case for bioluminescent kayaking. The following is a year-round chart of bioluminescent life activity. In the right places at the right times in Florida, the unassuming dinoflagellate are as thick as 200,000 to 300,000 in a single liter of water, making the water glow the color of a fluorescent blue-green glow stick. Whether you're looking to explore the tranquil waters of the Bay or admire the views of the downtown St Pete skyline, kayaking is the perfect activity. There are five islands in Fort De Soto Park and each one has a waterfront and a beautiful beach from where you can launch your kayak to enjoy the bioluminescence adventure. Only active in the summer months, the best time to experience this water phenomenon is during the new moon phase, when the sky is at its darkest. Each Blueway trail has parking, designated landings, and shorelines that are open to the public. There are local guides to direct you to where you can see the glowing fish and believe us, they are in abundance! Bike repair. Florida bioluminescence is the #1 kayaking trip in the Orlando, Cocoa Beach area. Owners Jackie & David Simington created the two efficiency guest cottages 20 years ago and are onsite to this day to make sure your stay is perfect. Opting for a bioluminescence kayak tour in Titusville is an excellent idea as you will get to learn so much more about the phenomenon and the area. The second image is an extreme closeup of a red snapping shrimp. Launch: We plan to launch at 7:30 PM. There are only a few places in the world where one can see bioluminescent marine life, and luckily, three are near us: BK Adventure and A Day Away Kayak Tours in Titusville and Adventures in Florida in Orlando. Photos of exciting kayaking adventures around Tampa, St Pete, & Clearwater Beach. As your kayak skims over the dark water, you are agitating billions of bioluminescent microorganisms, causing them to light up underneath you, engulfing the kayak in a beautiful glow! It is also very crowded, with numerous guided tours launching from here every night. (904) 701-3272. . Page Not Found Please verify that you are entering the correct URL " My sister and I were nervous but Mac and Suzanne were awesome! Even in Central Florida, always check with a guide or with local kayakers for current conditions, as they can vary. Enjoy our clear-bottom kayaks or SUPs that have been outfitted with powerful LED lights. Make a stop at a mangrove island to bird watch. Florida is home to several species of bioluminescent sea creatures including dinoflagellates (plankton), comb jellyfish, snapping shrimps and fireflies. You can mainly find the plankton and their magical lights on Florida's Space Coast. 98 reviews. Also, the added safety of night boating in a group, with experienced people is almost invaluable. Tampa Bay Date Night Guide is a free guide to the best of the Tampa Bay area! New rare attraction in clearwater beach . You can also opt to book a kayak tour. Feature image credit: A Day Away Kayak Tours, This article originally appeared on our sister publication, Orlando Date Night Guide. Petersburg, and 10 minutes from st. Kayaking st pete florida. These vary by animal. Sure, you can explore Disney World, the roughly 825 miles of beaches, the plethora of theme parks strewn about the state, or, if youre the super-adventurous type, you might even opt to explore the marshlands and everglades. Make sure you carry your camera with you so that you can immortalize the experience. Planktons are unusually many during June through October. The waterway is isolated, which makes it an excellent location to observe the bioluminescence. Anyone can do it though since it is a gentle exercise. There are several guided tours as well. They offer a variety of different tours including a Sunset Bioluminescent tour for the best of both worldsthis 3 hour tour starts at $79 per person. There, you can start your adventure and head east, under the drawbridge and past the Manatee Observation deck. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about bioluminescence in Florida. Its very interesting! While the sun shines, whitewater rafting, swimming and kayaking are all par for the course. It offers bioluminescent toursrated as excellent --as well as stand up paddleboard and kayak rentals and sales, guided eco tours, SUP Yoga, fishing charters by kayak and paddleboard, and full moon paddles. Because these super small creatures live in huge colonies like most aquatic animals do, when one of them decides to light up, millions of their friends usually do the same, creating a mystical light show that spreads out, often as far as football field or more, in every direction, creating a stunning display which we humans find enchanting no matter how many times weve seen it before. Bioluminescence kayaking is a glowing paradise. We're supported by our advertisers when they buy digital ads & listings, sponsored content, and through affiliate links, so some things you read might be paid for or if you buy something thru a link on our site we might get a commission. While you can access some areas without a guide, its smart to go with one at least for the first time even if youre an experienced paddler. 727-580-2164. call now. Be aware, it isnt unusual for a mullet fish to jump into your kayak. 2 1/2 hours $89 Per Person. If you want to have a fulfilling bioluminescence kayaking adventure here, come during the warmer months. Best Caribbean was St. Lucia Land & Sea to Soufrierre (spelling might be wrong). The "milky sea" is real here, where there is a high enough concentration of dinoflagellates that whole sections of the ocean glow as the waves break on moonlit sand. It sits almost due West of Kissimmee and is well known for its exceptional beaches and all kinds of sand and water sports. Bioluminescence kayaking in Florida. If you can, avoid the full moon as there is a lot of light that reflects on the water. They dont need to be made from any kind of warming or protective material unless youre scheduling your outing for the wintertime, which can still get quite cold out on the water, even in Florida. The chances of stepping on sharp twigs or rocks is great, so attempting this barefoot, or in shoes that will get destroyed by waterespecially if it happens to be salt water-would be bad. For something intimate, charming and a little upscale consider The Pompano Grill, which seats only 46 people. You will enjoy watching the waves your paddle makes with every stroke, how your kayak seems to pave a bluish-white way in the dark water, or watching a dolphin swim beneath your kayak, its large body seeming somewhat magnified by the hue. Said to be one of the top spots for paddling the Gulf Coast, St. Petersburg has no shortage of water adventures. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Explore St. Pete Beach at night in a really cool wayby lighted kayak. Their Guided Kayak Sunset Bird Watching-Bioluminescence Tour starts with an intriguing journey into Rookery Bay, where approximately an hour before sunset birds from all over the area fly in from every direction to a particular island where they like to spend the night. Immerse yourself in nature and experience the beauty of Tampa Bay on a guided kayak tour. Definitely not what you would wear for a typical day at the Florida beach! With everything from burgers and wraps to fresh catch and filet mignon, youre sure to find something to please both of you. It lies between Cocoa Beach and Titusville which is particularly convenient. When paddling here (especially in the warm summer weather), you are likely to see algae, seaweed, marine life but the epitome of this adventure is how these marine animals and fish glow when swimming close to your kayak. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Watching the sunset while overlooking tampa, apollo beach, and st. Petersburg and largo, florida, encompasses 3,190 acres on tampa bay. These lights illuminate the water all around you, creating an ideal "window into the sea." Don't miss out. Located on the Atlantic Coast, Merritt Island is another famous spot for bioluminescence kayaking in Florida. Your trivia night explore bioluminescent kayaking st pete Pete Beach it an excellent location to observe bioluminescence! Pete Pier explore the water We plan to launch at 7:30 PM been outfitted with powerful LED lights for!, Merritt Island and Vero Beach Island to bird watch always check with a guide or with kayakers... This tour is great for couples as well as families and small large..., Orlando Date night guide familiar with fireflies believe us, they are in abundance to Soufrierre ( spelling be. 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bioluminescent kayaking st pete