Best Dolphin Kayak Tours in Cocoa Beach — Our Top 15

1.Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 923 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69Our pick

Spend about 2.5 hours kayaking Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands with guides such as James, Ian, or Susie. Paddle open water and narrow mangrove tunnels while watching for manatees, dolphins, tarpon, stingrays, crabs, and birds. Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and guide-taken photos are included.

“We had a great time on this tour! We got to see several manatees right up next to our kayaks, the mangrove tunnels were a cool experience & our guide, Jeff, was great. Very knowledgeable, patient & funny. Highly recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking | Wildlife Refuge (Titusville)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 241 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Paddle the calm canals at Haulover Canal near Titusville with Florida Adventurer. Your guide provides the kayak, paddle, and PFD, then helps you look for manatees, dolphins, alligators, stingrays, and birds. Guides including Brian, Zach, and Tyler are praised for wildlife knowledge and patient instruction.

“Dane was very knowledgeable about the area and animals here in Florida. We had an amazing morning on the water with him. We got to see a dolphin chase some small fish right up to where we were launching. Even something Dane hadn’t ever seen. Very enjoyable time on the water.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

You’ll paddle Haulover Canal with guides such as Chaz, Zoe, Drew, or Carey, looking for manatees, dolphins, birds, jellyfish, and gators. The two-hour trip includes your kayak, paddle, and PFD, with wildlife viewed on its own terms.

“EXCELLENT GUIDE! He was calm, cool, & collected.. Even when we saw an alligator! Do Not Hesitate to Book with Him! He has a LOT of experience! Also, He is very knowledgeable about the foliage and wildlife there. Definitely Worth It! Don't hesitate to book!😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · from $52

Join Cocoa Kayaking for a 90-minute guided paddle from Haulover Canal near Mims. Choose a kayak or paddleboard by calling after booking. Guides such as Noah, Logan, Katie, and Captain Mike point out manatees, dolphins, birds, mangroves, and other wildlife, with photos sent afterward.

“We had an amazing time and learned so much about the wildlife and the preservation of the seashore! Would recommend for all!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour of Cocoa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Choose a kayak or paddleboard for a two-hour trip through Cocoa Beach’s Banana River Manatee Refuge and Thousand Islands. Guides such as Riley, Jack, Roman, and Christian share local wildlife facts while you look for dolphins, manatees, storks, spoonbills, and more.

“Riley was awesome! We hand so much fun and he shared a lot of great information. We went on the 10:30 tour and it was so great. He also brought us to the rope swing, which I took full advantage of! We saw both dolphins and manatees!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Paddle Board or Kayak Eco Dolphin Manatee Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Meet your guide at 9 a.m. in Merritt Island for two relaxed hours on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. You’ll receive all equipment, coaching from expert paddlers, free parking, and tour photos while watching for dolphins, manatees, and native birds in the Banana River Aquatic Preserve.

“Had my grandson with me I had not been in a kayak for fifty years. My grandson picked up the how to Kayak within a few minutes. We had great weather a saw a few wildlife on the trip Great day by all the guide was great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50

Spend about two hours kayaking through Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Island Conservation area with guides such as Cameron, Erin, and Dan. You’ll learn about the lagoon, paddle through narrow mangrove passages, and look for dolphins, manatees, birds, fish, and crabs. The trip is gentle enough for beginners and families.

“Our guide was knowledgeable but soft spoken which made it difficult to hear her. There was a group of 4 that was very loud and disruptive, intoxicated, which took away from the tranquility.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Cocoa Beach: Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 69 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Spend two hours kayaking or paddleboarding through Cocoa Beach’s waterways with an English-speaking guide such as Jack, Jake, or Spencer. Look for dolphins, manatees, turtles, spoonbills, pelicans, and conch, then pass the Thousand Islands Conservation Area and learn about local history.

“Disappointed we didn’t see any wildlife other than birds. Way overpriced. Would never do this again”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Indian River Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboarding Manatee and Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet at Kiwanis Island Park for a 90-minute guided kayak or paddleboard outing on the calm Indian River Lagoon. Guides such as Michael, Tom, and Troy help you spot dolphins, manatees, comb jellies, crabs, and birds. Photos are sent after the tour.

“Easy booking online 24 hrs prior to 2 hr afternoon Kayak outing. Competitive pricing was a win for us. Michael was our guide who ensured our small group (3 people) had an epic time seeing dolphins, a manatee, local birds, cone jellies. Overall outstanding experience that I would highly recommend for all ages.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee & Dolphin Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50

Join Calypso Kayaking at Manatee Cove Park for a guided paddle near Cocoa Beach. Your guide, including Adrena on some trips, teaches basic skills, helps spot manatees and dolphins, and can take photos to text afterward. Choose a single or tandem sit-on-top kayak, and expect to get wet.

“We had an amazing time on this trip! We saw lots of manatees and dolphins and we loved every minute of our trip. Our guide was very easy going and let us follow where the dolphins and wasn’t in a hurry. He was also very knowledgeable and showed us spider crabs, horseshoe crabs, puffer fish and sting rays! We would absolutely do this trip again next time we are in FL. I 100% recommend taking this trip!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Kayak Tours and Rentals. Dolphins, Manatees, and Bioluminescence!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Paddle the Indian River Lagoon with guides such as Jason, Adam, or Amber, watching for dolphins, manatees, birds, fish, and glowing comb jellies. Daytime eco tours run about two hours. Seasonal bioluminescence tours operate from May through August.

“Great experience. Jason was a great guide and took the time to educate us on the plant and wildlife and showed us cool bioluminescent jellyfish”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Sunset kayaking tour at Manatee Cove with Manatee & Dolphin sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

At Manatee Cove Park, Calypso Kayaking guides such as Jason, Kenny, and Erin lead a 90-minute sunset paddle through mangroves and brackish water. You may see dolphins, manatees, birds, jellyfish, and other wildlife, then stop at an island for shells before watching the sun set.

“This was our first family trip to Florida in 15 years. None of us knew how to kayak, but our guide taught us quickly before getting in the water. She was informative and pointed out a lot of wildlife. We caught stingless jellyfish and even met up with a pod of dolphins!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Dolphin and Manatee Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Paddle from Merritt Island in a clear two-person kayak, single kayak, or SUP while a guide points out dolphins, manatees, stingrays, birds, and fish. The sunset departure adds bright LED lights beneath your vessel. TJ is one guide praised for his local wildlife knowledge.

“TJ was awesome very informative and personable . I would highly recommend him. He knew a lot of information about the local wildlife”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Wildlife Refuge Sunset Dolphin, Manatee & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $61

Choose a kayak or SUP for a two-hour sunset paddle from Haulover Canal near Kennedy Space Center. Guides such as Logan, Noah, Mark, and Ethan point out dolphins, manatees, birds, mangroves, and possible alligators. Equipment, life jackets, dry bags, and tour photos are included.

“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our guided sunset kayak tour. Our guide, Logan, was very knowledgeable on the local ecosystem and someone we will specifically request when we return. Not only did we end with a picture perfect sunset, Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.One Tandem Kayak Rental for 2 hours with Manatee & Dolphin sightings!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Launch from Manatee Cove Park with a tandem kayak, paddle, and life jackets, then set your own pace on the Indian River Lagoon. Staff member Phil can point you toward likely manatee and dolphin areas, but this is a self-guided rental, not a guided tour.

“The owner was super personable and friendly. Our brand new spray sun block was defective, and he gave us a sun block packet to use. We saw everything that was advertised, Manatee, dolphin, and an island.”

Check availability →Read our full review