Kayaking New Smyrna Beach: Clear kayaks with dolphins

See straight through the kayak bottom to the water and wildlife below

Kayaking at New Smyrna Beach is a guided two-hour paddle through mangrove forests in clear kayaks, designed for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. You'll travel with up to nine other people and a local guide who teaches basic paddle technique before launch and stops along the way to photograph wildlife and learn about the waterway. The kayaks are transparent, letting you watch the water beneath you as you paddle. Children as young as three can join if accompanied by an adult in the same kayak.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak through mangrove forest and wildlife

• Meet experienced guides
• Paddle through mangrove forest
• Observe bird species
• Spot dolphins, manatees, sea turtles
• Learn about local plants and wildlife

The experience

What makes this kayaking different is the clear kayak itself. Instead of paddling blind, you watch dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and fish move through the water directly below you as you move through Spruce Creek at Divito Park. The guide gives quick instruction on paddle technique before you launch, then leads the group through the mangrove forest at a pace suited to all skill levels. Multiple stops let you pause to photograph birds (pink spoonbills, egrets, ospreys), or simply watch the wildlife without paddling.

The two-hour tour keeps groups small, capped at ten paddlers, so you get personalized attention from your local guide. Each kayak is built for two people, though the seats are removable if your group has an odd number. Lifejackets and whistles come with every boat. The guide shares facts about the plants, animals and waterway as you paddle, turning the trip into a learning experience as much as a wildlife encounter.

What’s included

• Two-hour guided paddle through Spruce Creek at Divito Park.
• clear kayak and safety equipment including lifejacket and whistle.
• basic paddle instruction before launch.
• local guide who shares wildlife and waterway facts.
• small group capped at ten paddlers for personalized attention.
• multiple tide-dependent stops to photograph or observe wildlife.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:30 and 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: 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 refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - New Smyrna Beach

Is this one for you?The paddle takes two hours of steady effort on the water, so you need at least a moderate level of fitness and comfort sitting in a kayak. Small groups and a guide who sets the pace make it manageable for beginners, but the tour moves at a real paddling speed, not a drift. If you're looking for a leisurely float, this one asks more of you.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 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. No refund if you cancel.

What wildlife will I actually see on this kayaking trip?

Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and fish are common sightings in the water below your clear kayak. Wading birds including pink spoonbills, egrets and ospreys are frequent overhead. What you encounter depends on the tide and season, but the guide knows where to look and stops the group to point out animals and explain their behavior.

How do the clear kayaks work, and is it safe to paddle in one?

The kayaks are transparent, so you see straight through the bottom to the water and wildlife beneath you. They're tandem boats designed for two paddlers and built to the same safety standards as traditional kayaks. Lifejackets are provided and required, and the guide gives you basic paddle technique before you launch.

What's included in the kayaking tour price?

The two-hour guided paddle includes the clear kayak, lifejacket, whistle and basic paddle instruction. The guide leads you through Spruce Creek and makes multiple stops (depending on tide) so you can photograph wildlife or simply observe. You get insights into the local plants, animals and waterway throughout the paddle.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this tour?

No. The tour caters to beginners and advanced paddlers alike. The guide gives quick instruction on basic paddle techniques before you launch, and the pace is set to keep the small group comfortable. As long as you have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, you can paddle.