Tour group lined up in pedal kayaks under a blazing orange sunset on the Indian River

New Smyrna Beach · Canaveral National Seashore

Manatees & Dolphins by day. Bioluminescence by night.

Small-group pedal kayak tours on Mosquito Lagoon, guided by a wildlife biologist. No paddling experience needed: your legs do the work and your hands hold the camera.

  • 5.0 · 123 Google reviews
  • Authorized guide in Canaveral National Seashore
  • Small groups · 2 hours · from $120 per kayak

Photo: Viking EcoTours

Pick the time you want to meet

Same water, same kayaks, same guide; the wildlife and the sky change with the hour. Every tour runs two hours and starts at $120 per seat, single and tandem kayaks are available.

  • Woman with a morning coffee relaxing in a pedal kayak beside the mangroves of Canaveral National Seashore

    Morning, 9 AM

    Morning Pedal Kayak Tours

    A calm, cool two hours on Mosquito Lagoon from the Apollo Beach Visitor Center, in the best light of the day for wildlife and photographs.

    From
    $120 per kayak
    Length
    2 hours
    Next
    November 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Five kayakers in pedal kayaks on calm water under an orange sunset sky

    Late afternoon: 4 PM in winter, 6 PM in summer

    Sunset Kayak Tours

    Golden hour and the sunset itself on Mosquito Lagoon from River Breeze Park in Oak Hill, 15 minutes south of New Smyrna Beach: dolphins, manatees and the day’s best light.

    From
    $120 per kayak
    Length
    2 hours
    Next
    November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Kayaker's hand stirring water that glows bright blue with bioluminescence at night

    Night, 9 PM

    Stargazing & Bioluminescence Kayak Tours

    Pedal through glowing water from May to October, and under some of the darkest skies on Florida’s Atlantic coast the rest of the year. Nightly from River Breeze Park in Oak Hill.

    From
    $120 per kayak
    Length
    2 hours
    Next
    November 13, 2026, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM

As seen in

Travel writers and newsrooms have paddled the lagoon with us and written about our tours.

Southern LivingCBS 19 NewsMSNYahooSF WeeklyMatador NetworkWhile It LastsAOLOnly In Your StateIslandsMental FlossKTBS 3Daytona Beach News-JournalExplore MagazineNew England TodayThe National Herald
Comb jelly glowing blue in dark water

Dark nights make bright bioluminescence

The bioluminescent glow is dinoflagellate plankton that flashes when disturbed, usually something moving through it. The plankton is brightest from July into September, and brightest of all on moonless nights. Bioluminescent comb jellies take over in the cool months and light up wherever you bump or catch one.

The moon tonight

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Waxing crescent moon, a thin sunlit sliver on the right

Waxing Crescent

Illumination11%

Moon down from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM: a dark night on the water.

Moonrise
10:40 AM
Moonset
7:58 PM
Sunset
5:31 PM
Dinoflagellates
May–Oct · peak Jul–Sep
Comb jellies
Oct–May

Darkest nights ahead

Nights when the moon is down for the whole tour: the best for bioluminescence and stars.

Select Date

What you'll see

A national seashore, at eye level

Mosquito Lagoon is part of the Indian River Lagoon, often called North America's most biodiverse estuary. Every animal and plant recorded in the park is getting a page of its own. All the animals

Why Viking EcoTours

One guide, one lagoon, since 2021

  • Guided by a wildlife biologist

    Eric holds a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation and led conservation crews before founding the company. You get the why, not just the what.

  • Pedal kayaks, not paddles

    Stable Hobie kayaks you drive with your legs. First-timers settle in within minutes, and your hands are free for binoculars and phones. A paddle comes along for anyone who prefers it.

  • Safety that's on every jacket

    Coast Guard Auxiliary and Red Cross certified. Every life jacket carries a safety-of-life-at-sea light; it goes off only when it is time to watch the water glow.

  • Leave No Trace, for real

    Authorized to guide in Canaveral National Seashore. 1% for the Planet member and Leave No Trace partner: the lagoon pays for the tours, so the tours pay the lagoon back.

Eric Hansen at Tunnel View overlooking Yosemite Valley
Your guideEric, owner & lead guideFounded Viking EcoTours in 2021 after a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech and leading conservation crews out west. He guides every tour himself.Meet Eric

Reviews

What Guests Say on Google

5.0 · 123 reviews

Reviews from GoogleAll reviewsWrite a review (opens in a new tab)

Plan your visit

Fifteen minutes south of New Smyrna Beach

Two launch sites inside the seashore, both with parking and restrooms. Your ticket has the exact meeting point, what to bring and the common questions.

  • Bring water, sunscreen by day or a headlamp by night, and a phone in a dry bag.

  • Ages everyone is welcome; riders under 8 share a tandem with an adult, and anyone who can reach the pedals can pedal a solo.

  • Weight up to 280 lb (127 kg) per seat.

  • Changes cancel 24 hours ahead for a refund minus a small fee; weather calls are made by your guide.

  • Arrive 15 minutes early; we fit life jackets and go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Embarking on a Viking EcoTours adventure is just the start of a lasting journey with us. Whether you need insights about our kayak tours or assistance in planning your next kayaking experience, we’re here for you. For any questions, feel free to reach out at info@vikingecotours.com or call us at +1 (386) 888 1552. Meanwhile, here’s a list of frequently asked questions with answers to guide you on your way.

Moon over Canaveral National Seashore during a guided kayaking tour with Viking EcoTours.

Ready to get on the water?

Tours run most days of the year. Pick a date, pick a time, and we'll see you at the launch.

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