Kayaking Round Island: Clear kayaks, manatees and dolphins

Paddle through mangroves and spot manatees, dolphins, herons and otters from a clear kayak

Kayak Round Island in Vero Beach, Florida in a clear kayak with a guide for two hours, paddling through the Indian River Lagoon estuary to watch manatees, dolphins, wading birds and sea turtles in their habitat. The clear hull lets you see straight down into the seagrass beds where fish dart and rays glide. Children from age 3 can join if accompanied by an adult. The tour is wheelchair accessible and located near public transportation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided clear kayak tour at Round Island

• Meet guide and receive instructions
• Begin clear kayak tour around Round Island
• Explore estuaries along Indian River Lagoon
• Spot manatees and dolphins in water
• Observe wading birds and sea turtles
• Return from kayak tour

The experience

You arrive at Round Island with a couple of hours to spare before the rest of your day fills up. The guide fits you into a clear kayak (the hull is transparent, so the underwater view is unobstructed), and pushes off into the calm waters of the Indian River Lagoon. The paddle is gentle. You're not racing anywhere. Instead, you're moving slowly enough to watch the seagrass beds slide past beneath you and to spot movement in the water before it happens. Manatees glide underneath, their massive shapes suddenly visible through the clear bottom. Dolphins surface nearby, sometimes close enough that you hear them breathe.

The two-hour window keeps the tour contained: you're back on land by mid-afternoon, free to grab lunch or move on to whatever comes next. The guide points out wading birds (herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills) perched in the mangroves that line the route, and calls attention to otters and sea turtles when they appear. The clear kayak does the heavy lifting. Without it, you'd be looking down at water and guessing what's underneath. Here, you're paddling through an aquarium that happens to be open to the sky.

What’s included

• Use of a clear kayak and safety equipment.
• a guide leading the two-hour paddle through the Indian River Lagoon estuary around Round Island.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (3 to 16 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Go towards the end of the car loop to find your guide and clear kayaks set up near the walking bridge over to Round Island.”

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Vero Beach

Is this one for you?Two hours is long enough to paddle through the mangroves and spot manatees and dolphins without eating up your whole afternoon. If you have a free window between other plans, this tour fits neatly into it and leaves you back on land by mid-day.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 16 years). Under 3: they 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 my three-year-old come kayaking at Round Island?

Children from age 3 can join the tour if accompanied by an adult. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller at the launch point, and service animals are welcome.

What wildlife will I actually see on the clear kayak tour?

Manatees, dolphins, wading birds like herons and egrets, roseate spoonbills, otters and sea turtles inhabit the Indian River Lagoon around Round Island. The clear kayak hull lets you watch fish and rays moving through the seagrass beds below.

How much paddling experience do I need?

The tour is guided and moves at a gentle pace through tranquil waters. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

Is there parking or public transit near Round Island in Vero Beach?

Public transportation options are available nearby, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. The tour itself is wheelchair accessible.