What happens if it's raining?

Our tours rarely cancel due to weather. If it is raining the day of the tour, chances are, with Florida weather, it will clear up by the time your tour starts. Sometimes we will hold the tour by 30 minutes for the weather to clear. In the case of lightning, high winds, or some other reason that we cannot paddle, we will re-schedule all guests to the very next tour available, or at a convenient time for you. Rainchecks are valid for 1 year.

What else is recommended?

We recommend you do the " Sunset Tour " if you have time. That way you get to see dolphins, and possibly manatees and all the amazing birds. Then, take a break, and go out for the Bioluminescent Kayak Tour later. It's just $20 more and it's an amazing tour! Click here to book that.

What is the weight limit?

For our single kayaks, the weight limit is 275 lbs. For the tandem kayaks it is 550 lbs. The night kayaking tours are done on tandem kayaks.

What if I am not a good kayaker?

Some people are naturally athletic, and they pick up any kind of activity easily. If that's you, pick either launch location. If you are a beginner, or not sure about kayaking abilities, or have small children, you may want to choose the Haulover Canal kayaking location. You may also want to ask about our new rafting options where you join others in the raft for an easy paddle in a big boat.

Will there be mosquitos?

Ram, the owner, likes to say, "You bring the spray, we'll bring the mosquitos!" We cannot guarantee there will be mosquitos, but there is a 99% change there will be. Some breezy nights have no mosquitoes. Some nights there are a lot. The other pest is No-See-Ums. The best way to keep them away is with Baby Oil. So, consider slathering on a layer of Baby Oil to any exposed skin. PLEASE BRING MOSQUITO SPRAY.

We can manage groups up to 50 people. We recommend you book weekend nights at least 45 days in advance for large groups. Weekdays is best, as those are easier to find spaces for. Please phone us for details, and we will be happy to get you and ALL your wonderful friends out for the tour! See more about Group Tours here.

Will the bioluminescence be bright?

We like to think so, but we cannot guarantee it. Here are the best conditions: hot weather, right after a rain storm, dark night. Sometimes the night is dark even when the moon is supposed to be bright. Sometimes a barely visible moon occurs on such a clear night, that even the slightest shine makes it seem bright. So, there are many factors that make the bioluminescence more/less visible. The BEST TIME for glowing algae (dinoflagellates) brightness is usually July to October. But we see it all year round, and in November, we see amazing flashing comb jellies! So, don't miss out because your vacation does not fall during the summer months.

How close is Bioluminescent Kayaking launch to Orlando or Miami?

This depends on your launch site: either Kelly Park is near Port Canaveral right off of Hwy. 528 (about 45 mins from Orlando), or in peak-season also, Haulover Canal in Titusville, Florida (1 hr; 15 mins from Orlando). Kelly Park near Cocoa Beach is the closer launch site to Miami.

Lots of people who love kayaking with their dog have asked about this tour. We do not recommend this one for dogs, as it is a night kayaking tour. Maybe chose the manatee tour or the monkey tour instead of bioluminescent kayaking if you want to have a great experience with your favorite pooch!

What about kayaking for small children?

Our recommended age for paddling is 5+ years old. Each tandem kayak, has a small middle seat, that a younger child could sit in. Price is per person regardless of age, or number in kayak. We recommend only for small children who are able to sit still for at least 90 minutes.

We use tandem kayaks for this tour.

Because of wildlife and environmental protection we have a limited number of kayaks we can launch at one time. So, we use 2 person tandem kayaks in order to get all of our guests out to see the bioluminescence on the dates they want. That does not mean you will be in a large group. Only 8 boats go out with 2 guide boats at one time.

We use fat tire bikes for this tour

Because of wildlife and environmental protection we have a limited number of bicycles we can use at one time. There will be 4-6 people on your tour, plus your guide. Fat tire bikes are made to ride in sand and over rough terrain. They are perfect for your wildlife beach adventure.

What about biking for small children?

This tour is better for older children. All of our bikes are 26 inches. We recommend children are 10+ and 55" tall to be able to ride the fat tire bikes.

How close is this tour to Orlando?

BK Adventure's office is about 50 miles from Orlando, and just 15 minutes away from Kennedy Space Center. Guest will meet at our Titusville office and then be driven to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (about 10 miles away).

How soon should you book?

Because of the limited availability of our equipment, they tend to book up quickly. Please call us if there is a time/day you would like that is not available for online booking. We may be able to get you on.

We use single kayaks for this tour.

Please request a tandem kayak at time of booking if you would like one. This river is technical, and better in a smaller kayak.

What about small children?

This kayaking tour is not recommended for smaller children. 10+ is a good age for this tour.

What about dogs in single kayaks?

Lots of people who love kayaking with their dog have asked about this tour. We do not recommend this one for dogs.

What type of wildlife will you see?

Though we do not guarantee wildlife on any of our tours (Mother Nature makes no guarantees!), we usually see alligators, ospreys, herons, river otters and deer on this tour.

What about groups for single kayak tours?

We can manage groups up to 15 people for this tour. We recommend you book weekends at least 45 days in advance for large groups. Weekdays is best, as those are easier to find spaces for. Please phone us for details, and we will be happy to get you and ALL your wonderful friends out for the tour! See more about Group Tours here.

What if I am not a good kayaker?

Some people are naturally athletic, and they pick up any kind of activity easily. If that's you, pick either launch location. If you are a beginner, or not sure about kayaking abilities, let your guide know when at the beginning of the tour.

We use whitewater rafts for this tour.

Because of wildlife and environmental protection we have a limited number of boats we can launch at one time. There will be 6-10 people in your raft depending on the size of the boat.

What about small children for the family raft?

This tour is better for small children. We recommend only for small children who are able to sit still for at least 90 minutes. Please bring USCG issued life vest for toddlers to be sure it is a good fit. We do have child size life vests available for 3+.

How close is this Bioluminescent launch to Orlando or Miami?

This depends on your launch site: either Kelly Park is near Port Canaveral right off of Hwy. 528 (about 45 mins from Orlando), or in peak-season also, Haulover Canal in Titusville, Florida (1 hr; 15 mins from Orlando). Kelly Park near Cocoa Beach is the closer launch site to Miami.

What about groups for the family rafting?

We can manage groups up to 22 people for rafting. We have 3 rafts to accommodate this. We recommend you book weekend nights at least 45 days in advance for large groups. Weekdays is best, as those are easier to find spaces for. Please phone us for details, and we will be happy to get you and ALL your wonderful friends out for the tour! See more about Group Tours here.

What is the weight limit for the family raft?

The weight limit for 1 raft is about 2400lbs. We can accommodate people of varying sizes in our rafts. Be sure you can get in and out of the raft on your own.

How soon should you book?

Because of the limited availability of our rafts, they tend to book up quickly. Please call us if there is a time/day you would like that is not available for online booking. We may be able to get you on.

Haulover Canal North Side Kayaking Launch site.

If you use GPS – Please only use Google Maps “Haulover Canal Kayak Launch”

From Orlando – take 528 (Beachline) to I-95 North.

Drive toward Titusville, FL to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. (Please note, this is NOT in Merritt Island, Florida… It is in Titusville, Florida.)

Titusville, Florida is easily accessible from most locations from Interstate 95 (I-95).

Directions from I-95 towards Titusville

Take exit 231 toward Oak Hill/Scottsmoor/ FL-54
Follow 5A East 1 mile to US1/FL5. Take a left/North on US1/FL5 travel approximately 5 miles till you intersect SR3/Kennedy Parkway on your right. (Marked by the big brown sign for Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge)
Take Kennedy Parkway South 8.5 miles till you see the Haulover Canal Drawbridge. Just before the bridge take a right. The road is unmarked. It is a dirt road that winds around. You will follow it about 1 mile.
Follow that road along Haulover Canal to the very end. You will see a beach. That is where we will meet and launch the kayaks. Be sure to stop and use the restroom in town before coming out on the Refuge. Unfortunately, there are no facilities at the launch site

We can’t wait to see you there, Team BK Adventure

Directions to Northside Kayak Launch Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

Haulover Canal North Side Kayaking Launch site.

Sandra Krasa BK

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