1.5-Hour Wildlife Refuge Paddle

Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!. Rated 4.9 across 229 reviews. Runs 1.5 hours. From $100.

Overview

This 1.5-hour paddle from Cocoa Kayaking leaves from the Haulover Canal Kayak Launch in Mims, inside the wildlife refuge habitat. You go out in a kayak or on a paddleboard with a guide, drifting through mangrove channels where manatees surface, dolphins feed, and alligators, rays, crabs and many species of birds all make appearances in reviews of this tour.

Guides lead the route, point out animals, and share background on the refuge and its wildlife, and reviewers often describe them as knowledgeable. One reviewer appreciated that the group size was small. Equipment is part of the package: kayak or board, paddle, lifejacket and dry bags are provided, though you need to bring your own water.

The tour suits families, beginners and anyone who wants wildlife with a guide rather than a solo rental. It is wheelchair accessible and infants can ride on laps. It is less suitable for pregnant travellers or anyone with serious back or heart conditions. You meet the guide at the canal, there is no hotel pickup, and the trip ends back at the same launch point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Haulover CanalArrive at the Haulover Canal Kayak Launch in Mims, Florida, on the edge of the wildlife refuge. Wifi in the area is unreliable, so sort out directions before you set off and call ahead if you need help finding it.
2. Gear upThe operator supplies kayak or paddleboard, paddle, lifejacket and dry bags. The guide then leads the group onto the water.
3. Paddle the mangrovesThe guided route follows mangrove channels, with stops to watch whatever wildlife shows up. Reviewers report manatees, dolphins, alligators, rays, crabs, raccoons and many birds on these trips.
4. Return to the launchThe tour finishes back at the Haulover Canal meeting point, 1.5 hours after it started.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the trip smoother, from what to carry to how the group feels on the water.

• Bring your own water. Bottled water is not included, and the listing is firm about bringing plenty to drink. Add a hat, sunscreen, bug spray if you want it, and a towel for after the paddle.
• Beginner friendly. The guide sets the tone for the outing.
• Small group feel. The group is capped at 10 travellers, and one reviewer specifically praised the small group size. That keeps the outing from feeling crowded.
• Wildlife is likely, not booked. Reviewers report manatees and dolphins on their trips, sometimes very close to the kayaks, but sightings depend on the day. Weather also matters, and one reviewer noted rain can arrive at any time in Florida, though the tour carried on.
• Photos. Bring a dry bag or a water-safe camera if you want your own shots.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup, so you drive yourself to the Haulover Canal launch. Wifi near the refuge is spotty, so load your map before you leave and call the operator if you need directions.

Common issues. The launch site sits in a wildlife refuge where wifi is unreliable, so navigation on arrival can be fiddly. Weather can affect the outing, and one reviewer described a tour that ended in rain. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travellers or people with back problems or serious heart conditions, and it needs a minimum number of bookings to run, or you get a different date, a different experience or a full refund.

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