MERRITT ISLAND WILDLIFE FIELD GUIDE
Paddling with Gentle Giants: Kayak and Paddleboard Encounters with Manatees and Dolphins on Merritt Island
A guided 1.5-hour paddle through the Indian River Lagoon with Calypso Kayaking that puts you close to bottlenose dolphins and Florida manatees in their natural habitat.
Paddling with Gentle Giants: Kayak and Paddleboard Encounters with Manatees and Dolphins on Merritt Island.
On Merritt Island, guided trips from Calypso Kayaking ferry small groups of paddlers into the Indian River Lagoon to watch bottlenose dolphins and manatees move through the shallow backcountry waters near Orlando and Cocoa Beach; these outings run most of the year and are offered from a launch point on North Tropical Trail.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Bottlenose Dolphins up Close
The tours center on viewing bottlenose dolphins—the local inshore species that can reach about 8 feet long, eat roughly 25 pounds of fish a day, and often approach close enough for clear observation without being crowded.
Slow-Moving Manatees in Shallow Water
Manatees show their characteristic gray-brown, wrinkled skin and algae growth as they graze—using front flippers to steer and a powerful paddletail when startled—and they rely on nearby freshwater springs to stay warm during colder months.
Kayaks and Paddleboards on the Lagoon
Tours are conducted from single kayaks or paddleboards, letting small groups move quietly through the estuarine channels of the Indian River Lagoon for intimate wildlife viewing.
What the day feels like
What the Paddle Feels Like
You meet at the Merritt Island launch, push off in a kayak or on a paddleboard, and spend roughly 1.5 hours riding the slow currents of the Indian River Lagoon with a guide who points out dolphin activity and manatee feeding areas—an intentionally low-speed, observational excursion designed around wildlife behavior and habitat.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who the tour suits best — and one fact every group should know.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Guided outings run most of the year and last about 1.5 hours.
Launch and check-in at 4905 North Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953.
Sunscreen, water, towels, change of clothes, bug spray in summer (and for bioluminescent tours), and shoes you don’t mind getting wet—water shoes or sandals are recommended.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The guided paddle lasts about 1.5 hours.
Where do we meet the guide?
Meet at 4905 North Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953.
Can I choose a kayak or a paddleboard?
Tours offer kayaks and paddleboards so you can pick your preferred craft.
Are toddlers allowed?
Toddlers age 3 and under ride free.
What species will we see and what are some facts about them?
You can expect to see bottlenose dolphins—about 8 feet long, eating roughly 25 pounds of fish a day and communicating with clicks, whistles and other sounds via their blowhole—and manatees, grayish-brown animals with thick, often algae-covered skin that steer with front flippers and use a paddletail to flee when startled.
Why do manatees gather near springs?
Manatees typically spend colder months near freshwater springs that stay around 72 degrees year-round to keep warm.