About 2 hours · Cocoa Beach
Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnel Sunset Kayak Tour
The tunnels in the last of the light.
| Adult, single | $75 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · Thousand Islands, Cocoa Beach
2026 Sunshine Awards nomineeBest Kayak Tour
Cocoa Kayaking
Guided paddles through the mangrove tunnels of the Thousand Islands and out over the seagrass flats of the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America. Manatees and dolphins by day; on summer nights the water lights up with bioluminescent comb jellies.
- Mangrove tunnel tour
- $75
- Bio comb jelly night
- $100
- 5.0
- Reviews
- 2,023
Editorial spotlight. Cocoa Kayaking is a nominee in the 2026 Sunshine Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The operation
Three launch points, guides trained for rescue
The company runs from three launches on the Space Coast: the Thousand Islands at Cocoa Beach, Kiwanis Island Park on Merritt Island and the wildlife refuge at Titusville. Guides are described on the About page as professionally trained and certified in first aid, CPR, AED and kayak rescue. Tours need a minimum of two paddlers to run.
Boats are Wilderness Systems singles rated to 250 pounds, tandems to 425 and Tava stand-up paddleboards to 250, with clear-bottom and pedal kayaks on some tours. The company also runs clean-up paddles at a reduced rate, where guests collect trash from the mangroves as they go.
“Relax and escape with us as you paddle in the vicinity of approximately 4,500 animal and plant species.”
The site does not list guides by name; reviewers mention James, Brooke, Andrew, Ian, Savana and Thalia.
The one to book
Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour
The signature route: narrow mangrove tunnels, then open water over the seagrass where dolphins and manatees feed. Two hours, beginner friendly, and the guides take photos for you.
The same route runs at sunset for the same price, and adds bioluminescent comb jellies after dark for $100.
| Adult, single kayak | $75 |
|---|---|
| Sunset | $75 |
| Bio comb jelly | $100 |
Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
Check AvailabilityThe gear
Singles, tandems, clear bottoms and boards
Per the About page. Weight limits as published.
Single kayak
- Make
- Wilderness Systems
- Limit
- 250 lb
Tandem kayak
- Seats
- 2
- Limit
- 425 lb
Paddleboard
- Make
- Tava
- Limit
- 250 lb
Clear bottom
- Use
- Wildlife and bio tours
- Seats
- Single or tandem
Book it
Tours
Priced per paddler. Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
After dark · Seasonal
Mangrove Tunnel & Bio Comb Jelly Sunset Tour
Sunset first, then the water lights up.
| Adult, single | $100 |
|---|
After dark · Summer
Thousand Islands Bioluminescent Kayak Tour
The summer bioluminescence paddle.
| Seasonal | See calendar |
|---|
About 2 hours · Clear kayak
Indian River Manatee and Dolphin Clear Bottom Tour
Watch the rays and fish pass under the hull.
| Adult, single | $75 |
|---|
About 2 hours · Titusville
Wildlife Refuge Manatee and Dolphin Tour
Kayak or paddleboard in the refuge.
| Adult, single | $75 |
|---|
After dark · Clear kayak
LED NightLight Bio Comb Jellies Clear Bottom Tour
Lit hulls over the comb jellies.
| Adult, single | $100 |
|---|
Before you go
Know before you go
Launches
Thousand Islands at Cocoa Beach, Kiwanis Island Park on Merritt Island, and the wildlife refuge at Titusville. Check which one your tour uses.
Cancellation
48 hours for a full refund on parties of 15 or fewer; credit up to four hours before. Groups of 16 or more are non-refundable inside two weeks.
Weather
Tours paddle rain or shine when conditions are safe.
Minimum
Two paddlers are needed for a tour to run.
Reviews
What guests say
- 5.0Google2,023 reviews as of October 2, 2026
- 3LaunchesCocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Titusville
- 4,500SpeciesLagoon count cited by the company
Reviewers name the guides, mention manatees and dolphins coming close and free photos; the recurring caution is mosquitoes on the island stops.
Questions
Good to know
Where do tours launch?
Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island or Titusville, depending on the tour.
What does it cost?
$75 per paddler for the mangrove and wildlife tours, $100 for the bioluminescence tours. Checked October 2, 2026.
Do I need experience?
No. The tours are beginner friendly and guides give instruction at the launch.
When can I see bioluminescence?
Summer into early fall for the glow; comb jellies run later in the year.
Mangrove tunnels and glowing water
Guided paddles from $75, bioluminescent nights for $100.
Check Availability