Kayaking Indian River Lagoon at sunset with glow kayaks

The kayak glows after sunset, showing you the lagoon's nighttime ecosystem from inside the water.

Kayak the Indian River Lagoon at sunset in a small group of up to 10 paddlers, guided by a Certified Florida Master Naturalist. You paddle through Mosquito Lagoon and Canaveral National Seashore, spotting manatees and dolphins as the sky changes color. After dark, your clear-bottom glow kayak illuminates the water below, revealing the nocturnal life of the lagoon. The tour runs roughly two hours and includes the kayak, life vest, headlamp, dry bag and whistle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset kayak tour on Mosquito Lagoon

• Meet guide and receive kayak
• Paddle through Mosquito Lagoon
• Observe manatees, dolphins, birds
• Learn about local ecosystem
• Experience glowing kayak after sunset

The experience

You launch into the Indian River Lagoon as the sun drops, paddling through Mosquito Lagoon and along Canaveral National Seashore while your guide, a local Certified Florida Master Naturalist, points out manatees, dolphins and wading birds. The paddle itself is the draw: you're operating the kayak, not watching from a boat, so you set the pace and feel the water's movement. The guide navigates the route and calls out what to look for, but the work of getting there is yours.

Once the sun sets, the glow kayak takes over. The clear bottom and built-in lighting illuminate the water around and below you, turning the darkness into a window. The lagoon's nighttime ecosystem, creatures that hide during the day, becomes visible in a way a daytime paddle never shows. This is not a gimmick. It is the reason the tour runs at this hour. You see the lagoon as it actually is after dark, and the guide helps you make sense of what moves through the light.

The whole outing runs just under two hours. You get a USCG-approved life vest, a headlamp for safety, a dry bag for your phone, and a whistle. Children are welcome from age 5. The group stays small, maximum 10 paddlers, so the guide can keep track and answer questions without shouting over a crowd.

What’s included

• Kayak and clear-bottom glow lighting system.
• USCG-approved life vest.
• headlamp for night visibility.
• cell phone dry bag.
• whistle.
• live guide who is a Certified Florida Master Naturalist and local native.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to Saturday

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by RiverWitch Kayak Rentals & Tours

Is this one for you?The tour launches from the Indian River Lagoon with no vehicle required, so if you're staying nearby without a car or renting one, you can reach the water on public transit. The small group of up to 10 paddlers and the guide's local expertise mean you're not paddling blind into unfamiliar water at dusk.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I kayak the Indian River Lagoon if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The guide leads the group and sets a moderate pace through calm water. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, but no prior kayaking experience is required. The guide will show you how to hold the paddle and move through the water before you launch.

What animals might I see on the sunset paddle?

Manatees, dolphins and a variety of wading birds are common in the Indian River Lagoon. The guide looks for them throughout the paddle and explains the ecosystem as you move through it. After dark, the glow kayak reveals nocturnal creatures that don't surface during the day.

How does the glow kayak actually work?

The clear bottom and built-in lighting system illuminate the water directly below and around you once the sun sets. The light shows you the water column and the creatures moving through it, turning the darkness into visibility. It's not bright enough to read by, but it's enough to see the lagoon's nighttime life.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the launch point?

Public transportation options are available nearby, so you don't need a car to reach the lagoon. If you're staying in the area without a vehicle, check the local transit routes before booking to confirm the timing works with your tour departure.

What's included in the kayak rental?

The kayak, USCG-approved life vest, headlamp, cell phone dry bag and whistle are all included. You bring yourself and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet. The guide provides everything else you need to paddle safely.