If you are cruising from Port Canaveral, there are a variety of things to do on the Florida Space Coast that make it worthy of spending a few extra days in the area before or after your cruise. One option that allows you to get a unique perspective of the area from sea level are Port Canaveral Bioluminescence Tours.

You’ve probably heard of the bioluminescent waters of Puerto Rico, but did you know that you can take Port Canaveral bioluminescent tours? That’s right, BK Adventure offers nighttime kayak tours and raft tours to experience this natural beauty right on the Florida Space Coast.

Top Things to Know About Port Canaveral Bioluminescence Tours

What Causes This Bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is the ability of an organism to create light. While this natural phenomena is not very common on land, it is more common in the water. The Indian and Banana River lagoons in Florida are a unique natural habitat that are home to bioluminescent marine life.

Bioluminescent Plankton (Dinoflagellates) and Glowing Comb Jellies are responsible for the glowing light that you will likely see during Port Canaveral bioluminescence tours. They produce this glowing light to scare predators away. This light is often blue-ish in color, as this wavelength travels the farthest in water.

Of course, these are living organisms so sightings can not be guaranteed. This natural phenomena also depends on weather and the phases of the moon. The best conditions area hot weather, right after a rain storm, and a dark night.

While often visible to the naked eye, it is very difficult to capture in photos or videos though. (Photos in this post courtesy of BK Adventure.)

Things You Might See on Port Canaveral Bioluminescence Tours

Of course, you are likely taking one of these Port Canaveral bioluminescence tours to see the glowing organisms mentioned above.

In general, the best time (brightest) to see dinoflagellates is usually July to October, but it can be observed year round. November is the perfect time to see flashing comb jellies; though, they are usually visible throughout the autumn and winter. Further, four days before and four days after a new moon phase are often the best times to see the bioluminescent glow.

However, these glowing organisms will likely not be the only creatures you will observe during your tour. The Indian River is home to a plethora of wildlife. Therefore, you might be treated to appearances from manatees, turtles, various species of birds, and a variety of fish.

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There are a Variety of Tour Options and Locations

There are a variety of Port Canaveral bioluminescent tours. These include kayak tours, clear-bottom kayak tours, sunset kayak tours, raft tours (more on these below), and even a chance to swim in the glowing waters.

Most Port Canaveral bioluminescence tours are around 1.5 hours in length. Though, those that include a sunset paddle are usually closer to 3 hours. Pricing varies depending on the tour, but it starts at just $60 per person with BK Adventure.

The clear kayak tours tend to be the more popular option. With these tours, you get a view from all sides of the boat, including that sparkling glow below you.

Further, there are two common locations to set off on these evening tours. First, Kiwanis Island Park is near Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. There is also the Beacon 42 Boat Ramp on the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge in Titusville.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning to take an Uber or Lyft to this tour, be sure to arrange return transportation ahead of time. We actually ran into a dilemma when trying to return to our hotel from the Beacon 42 Boat Ramp location, as we had no service for several miles in the Wildlife Refuge.

Only Bioluminescent Raft Tour in Florida

BK Adventure is the only company in Florida that offers bioluminescence raft tours. These tours are perfect for those who do not want to kayak, life myself! These larger inflatable boats are sturdy and are steered by the guides. It is also easier to load and unload from these bigger vessels.

Thus, a raft is one of the great Port Canaveral bioluminescent tours for smaller children and older adults. You will still have to paddle, but it will certainly be less strenuous than a kayak tour.

These bioluminescent raft tours are also available at both departure points and take similar routes through the lagoon as the kayak tours. Further, you will have a guide right onboard to point out wildlife and provide information about Florida’s bio-bay along the way.

Prior to our recent 5-day Mariner of the Seas cruise, we took a bioluminescence raft tour on the Mosquito Lagoon (part of the Indian River Lagoon system) departing from the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. While I was a bit apprehensive at first, we had a great time and wouldn’t hesitate to book another tour with this company.

What You Should Bring on the Tour

Since this is an outdoor adventure activity, you will want to make sure you are dressed in comfortable clothing, preferably long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It is helpful if this clothing is quick-dry and water shoes are also recommended.

These tours will operate in light rain, so we suggest packing a raincoat or poncho as well. In the case of lightning, high winds, or some other unforeseeable weather conditions, tours may need to be rescheduled.

On the top of your packing list for Port Canaveral bioluminescence tours should be bug spray! Since you will be navigating these brackish waters in the evenings, mosquitos will usually be a nuisance during your tour. You will definitely want to apply and re-apply to minimize the bug bites.

Be sure to leave any valuables at home. You can bring a small backpack with water and other essentials.

Paddles and life vests are provided during the tour.

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Port Canaveral Bioluminescence Tours Are Family Friendly

Port Canaveral bioluminescence tours are family friendly, especially the raft tours. This is a great way to extend your time on the Space Coast before or after a cruise vacation.

For the rafting tours, there will be 6-10 people in your raft. The age requirement is 3 years or older and is recommended only for small children who are able to sit still for at least 90 minutes. The weight limit for a raft is about 2400 pounds.

For kayaking tours, the weight limit is 275 pounds for single kayaks or 550 pounds for tandem kayaks. The night kayaking tours are usually done on tandem kayaks. The age requirement for these tours is 5+ years old.

Comments

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