Bioluminescence in St Augustine, FL
(904) 701-3272
Bioluminescent Kayak Tours
Located along A1A between St Augustine & Ponte Vedra Beach
Encounter Bio Close Up - Guaranteed!
Kayak to See Bioluminescence After Dark
unlike any other bioluminescent experience available
We guarantee that you will get to experience and observe bioluminescent comb jellies on our kayak tours of Guana Lake. If not, receive a credit to come again when conditions improve.
$65 tandem | $75 solo | Includes professional guide, kayak, pfd, paddle, plankton net, and specimen cup.
Launch into a protected shallow lake from the sandy beach just before sunset. Peacefully glide in premium kayaks to watch the day fade as the glow of the water lights up.
- The best nights for viewing run between full and new moon.
- Group tours are open to well-behaved people over 50lbs.
- People under 15 years old must ride tandem with an adult.
- Available nights above 55 °F and winds are below 12 mph.
- Call to discuss accommodation or accessibility concerns.
- Bringing a headlamp or flashlight is recommended.
Mind Blowing
You can catch and observe these bioluminescent Sea Creatures any time of day! Once they get trapped behind the dam, they breed in captivity in a shallow, man-made brackish lake.
Guided kayak tours through a rich estuary filled with countless sparkling lights as you paddle.
See comb jellies sparkling in the light of day or sparking with living light at night! The community is invited into the enchanting world of comb jellies! Catch nearshore bioluminescent sea life on display, day and night, in a protected tidal estuary between St Augustine and Jacksonville in Northeast Florida.
(904) 701-3272
Real local guides are just a click away.
Year Round
Comb Jellies
Best in the cooler months, see mesmerizing bioluminescence guaranteed!* Kayak a sheltered and shallow lake hosting multiple species living near shore.
Wild Comb Jellies enter through the dam to spawn in captivity. See the sheer number of stunning creatures for yourself year round.
Seasonally
dinoflagellate
Unlike other bioluminescent tours in Florida that only operate during the summer, Guana Lake offers a unique experience all year round.
Dinoflagellates are typically only seen in the summer. Here they may also bloom in the winter due to unseasonably warm waters.
Spring & Summer
Fireflies
As an added bonus, see endangered fireflies in the forest around Guana Lake starting in late spring.
Only 0.1% of all land-based life has bioluminescence. 75% ocean life is bioluminescent. Here, you may see both.
For those seeking an immersive nocturnal bio-phenomenon that extends past 9pm, we invite you to explore the unparalleled darkness of Haulover Canal in Titusville, FL for an extended bioluminescent kayaking encounter.
Our bioluminescence is known to defy expectations!
The odds are in your favor! Encounter this captivating spectacle by making your reservation in advance. don’t delay!
Life Changing
Q: What do fire, electricity, and bioluminescence have in common?
A: They are discoveries that altered the trajectory of civilization.
Book a tour with our experienced kayak guides to learn exactly what we mean by that.
*GeoTrippin Guides discovered this phenomenon was a permanent feature of Guana Lake on September 9, 2020. Since then, we have seen bioluminescence nearly every night. There are several things that influence the intensity you will see. Wind, rain, ambient light, temperatures, and salinity all have an effect on the numbers, brightness, and health of these unparalleled creatures. We guarantee you will see bioluminescence. In the event nature throws a curve ball, you may book a redo at no extra charge.
Come enjoy something totally ‘other worldly’ right here in our back yard. Glowing sea creatures abound in North Florida’s Bioluminescent Guana Lake. Observe Comb Jellies that illuminate as you catch them in nets, inspect in specimen collection dishes, and swirl them around in the water. Book online for the best deals.
Looking for something during the day?
The most Original Thing To Do In St. Augustine.
Have you ever dreamed of exploring a glowing night sea filled with bright and vibrant creatures? Now, you can experience this dream come true with the Bioluminescent Kayak Tour in St Augustine, Florida. This tour is the only one of its kind in the area and takes visitors on an awe-inspiring journey through the shallow waters and bioluminescent organisms that light up your path.
Explore what makes this kayak tour so unique, why it’s quickly becoming a must-do activity for locals and tourists alike, and how to make the most out of your visit. Read on to learn more about the one-of-a-kind Bioluminescent Kayak Tour in St Augustine!
Why St Augustine is The Best Place For This Type Of Tour.
There are many reasons why St Augustine is the best place for a Bioluminescent kayak tour. For one, the city is located in close proximity to the Gulf Stream, which provides ideal conditions for the dinoflagellates that cause the bioluminescence to thrive. Additionally, St Augustine has a long history of being a hub for maritime activity, meaning there are plenty of places to explore by kayak.
Our 100,000 acre Matanzas River basin is rich with bioluminescent life. It comes and goes with the tide. It is very hard to predict when and where the blooms will impress. However, behind the dam at Guana Lake where the nightly kayak tours take place, the bioluminescence is trapped. This is how we are able to offer tours year round. We predictably and regularly see bioluminescent creatures in the water hereT
Why St Augustine is The Best Place For This Type Of Tour.
There are many reasons why St Augustine is the best place for a Bioluminescent kayak tour. For one, the city is located in close proximity to the Gulf Stream, which provides ideal conditions for the dinoflagellates that cause the bioluminescence to thrive. Additionally, St Augustine has a long history of being a hub for maritime activity, meaning there are plenty of places to explore by kayak. Our 100,000 acre Matanzas River basin is rich with bioluminescent life. It comes and goes with the tide. It is very hard to predict when and where the blooms will impress. However, behind the dam at Guana Lake where the nightly kayak tours take place, the bioluminescence is trapped. This is how we are able to offer tours year round. We predictably and regularly see bioluminescent creatures in the water hereTGeoTrippin Introduced Bioluminescent Kayak Tours to St Augustine
We can only bring a few lucky people out each night for an opportunity to see the amazing bioluminescence recently discovered year round in the waters around St Augustine. Our tours will be led by experienced guides who will help you see the beautiful creatures that light up the water at night.
But, we may also outsource your experience to other operators in order to expand availability. Outfitters and guides interested in offering this experience may call our office at (904) 701-3272
What is Bioluminescence?
As great as our bio tours are, it is still a natural phenomena and intensity fluctuates from day to day. Bioluminescence occurs when living organisms produce and emit light. This can happen through a chemical reaction in the organism, or by bacteria that live on the surface of the organism. Many marine creatures are bioluminescent, including fish, jellyfish, and squid. Bioluminescence is often used as a way for these animals to attract mates, or to startle predators. Some land animals are also bioluminescent, like fireflies.
On a kayak tour in St. Augustine, Florida, you can experience this amazing natural phenomenon up close. The only bioluminescent kayak tour operating in St Augustine takes place at night, when the water is filled with glowing plankton. As you paddle through the water, your kayak will leave a trail of swirling light around your paddle. Nets and collection cups are provided to catch and observe the bioluminescent Comb Jellies up close. It’s an unforgettable experience that everyone should try at least once!
How To Book The Tour
GeoTrippin is a guild of guides. Owner operators and kayak liveries rely on us for guide staffing and tour marketing. GeoTrippin Guides operate our own and our partner’s tours.
Private and group tours booked directly with GeoTrippin are assigned out to the network of certified and privately insured Adventure Guides with their own fleet of kayaks or the outfitter which employs them. We also make links available directly to the owner operators calendars for you to browse availability across multiple companies.
Bookings made with any company other than GeoTrippin from this site do so by affiliate links where GeoTrippin is paid a commission. Once a booking is made, PLEASE refer to the booking confirmation email for the best customer service contact for your specific tour operator.
Get real time availability from the providers available on this page, you are able to select the date and time of your tour, as well as the number of people in your party. Once you have made your selections, you will be prompted to enter your contact information and payment details. After your booking is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with all of the details of your tour.
You may also simply text or give us a call. Provide your name, when you want to go, number of guests, and an email address. You will receive a confirmation by email with a link to pay online. Or simply online from this page, you are able to select the date and time of your tour, as well as the number of people in your party.
Once you have made your selections, you will be prompted to enter your contact information and payment details. After your booking is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with all of the details of your tour.
So why not come and experience this natural wonder for yourself? A Bioluminescent kayak tour in St Augustine is an unforgettable experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the world!
Day or Night Guided Kayak and Ecotour Adventures in St Augustine, Crescent Beach, and Ponte Vedra Beach in St Johns County, FL.
(904) 701-3272
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GeoTrippin’ Adventure Co.
Inside Genung’s Fish Camp
291 Cubbedge Road
Crescent Beach, FL
GeoTrippin’ Guide Services
62 Hypolita St, Studio 3
St Augustine, FL
Bioluminescent Launch
At South Guana Outpost
inside the GTM NERR
Guana River Rd
South Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
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