Three Brothers Kayak Or Paddle

Cocoa Beach: Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle Tour runs through Three Brothers Boards. Rated 4.5 across 92 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $65.

Overview

Three Brothers Boards runs a two hour guided paddle out of Cocoa Beach, and you get to pick your craft: a one or two person kayak or a paddle board, with paddles and lifejackets provided. The tour starts and finishes at 4800 Tom Warriner Boulevard, so there is no hotel transport to arrange. From there a guide leads the group through the local waterways, on the lookout for dolphins, manatees and other wildlife along the way.

The route has two anchor points. One is the Banana River Manatee Refuge, which the listing describes as one of only a few places in the world where West Indian Manatees can be seen, often in large groups alongside dolphins. The other is a pass by the Thousand Islands Conservation Area, a 338 acre site of more than 1000 small islands in the Indian River Lagoon, most reachable only by boat or kayak. This portion lasts about 30 minutes. Somewhere along the way the group also stops on an island while the guide covers local history.

Wildlife sightings are the draw. Reviewers report dolphins passing close by and manatees feeding in groups, and the listing names pelicans, sea turtles, live conch and roseate spoonbills as further possibilities.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Tom Warriner BlvdMeet your guide at 4800 Tom Warriner Blvd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. There is no hotel pickup, so arrive under your own arrangements.
2. Safety briefing and launchThe tour begins with a safety briefing before you set off in your chosen kayak or paddle board. Lifejackets and paddles are provided.
3. Island stop and history talkStop at one of the islands while the guide goes over the history of the town.
4. Banana River Manatee RefugeVisit the refuge, one of the few places in the world where West Indian Manatees can be seen. Dolphins and manatees are often sighted here in numbers.
5. Thousand Islands passPass by the Thousand Islands Conservation Area, a 338 acre site of over 1000 small islands in the Indian River Lagoon, home to storks, dolphins, manatees, spoonbills and rare plants. This pass lasts about 30 minutes.
6. Return to start pointPaddle back to 4800 Tom Warriner Blvd, where the tour ends. The full tour runs 2 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this paddle before you book.

• Choose your craft. You can take a single or two person kayak or a paddle board, and paddles plus lifejackets are included in the price. Decide in advance if you want to share a kayak, since two person boats suit pairs and families with kids.
• Pace and fitness. One reviewer described the paddling as not difficult or overly exerting, with a slow and relaxing pace. On that account the trip should not demand serious fitness, though it is still two hours of paddling.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup, so plan your own transport to 4800 Tom Warriner Blvd in Cocoa Beach. One reviewer arrived late because of navigation problems and the guide waited, but do not count on that courtesy: build in buffer time.
• Guides and group feel. Reviewers again and again praise the guides as knowledgeable and patient. Multiple reviewers say their guide knew where to look for manatees and dolphins. The names change from review to review, but the standard is a consistent theme.
• Wildlife luck. Dolphins and manatees are the stars. Reviewers reported manatees feeding in one spot and dolphin pods with calves passing close. The listing adds sea turtles, live conch, pelicans and roseate spoonbills to the list of what you might spot.
• Weather matters. One reviewer simply noted a perfect weather day made the trip.

Common issues. Gratuities are not included, and hotel pickup is not provided, so budget for a tip and arrange your own ride to the meeting point. One reviewer ran late because of sat nav trouble, which is worth avoiding given the fixed start. The tour runs in English only, and everything takes place on the water, so comfort with paddling and lifejacket wear is part of the deal.

Which Tour Type Suits You