These outdoor adventures are a great way to see an abundance of native Florida wildlife, including birds, otters, dolphins, manatees, and alligators. Some of the places listed below even offer bioluminescence tours located in the Indian River Lagoon, where the waters come alive with a beautiful blue glow. During the summer months, glowing plankton called dinoflagellate grow in large numbers to create the magical glowing effect; during the winter months, comb jellyfish provide a similar bioluminescence. Skimming the water in a stand-up paddleboard (known as SUP) adds to the magical feeling of standing on water.

Read on for the best Orlando kayak and paddleboard rentals and tours, and don't forget to sign up for our free Orlando newsletter to get all the latest and greatest Orlando family fun ideas sent straight to your inbox.

Kayak and Paddleboard Tours and Rentals in Orlando

A Day Away Kayak Tours – Titusville

A Day Away offers both daytime and nighttime kayak tours. Daytime options include manatee and dolphin adventures, Econ River tours, and Merritt Island Refuge tours. Sunset and nighttime bioluminescence tours are also available. Guests can even experience the bioluminescence from a clear kayak, to observe the glowing water from underneath. Some tours are available year-round while others are seasonal. For those who want to explore on their own, kayak and SUP rentals are offered as well. Tours are recommended for ages 5 and up (required for nighttime tours).

Adventure Outdoor Paddle – Tavares

Choose from a kayak or paddleboard tour of the beautiful Dora Canal on the Harris Chain, Silver Springs, or Blackwater Creek on the shores of Lake Norris (kayaks only and dependent on water level). You may even catch a glimpse of a monkey on the Silver Springs tour! Rentals are also available for Lake Dora, including single and tandem kayaks, paddleboards, and hydro (water) bikes. Hydro bikes even have a tandem seat for little ones to sit while adults paddle.

Adventures in Florida – Orlando

Adventures in Florida hosts Orlando kayak tours, including its orlando manatee encounter, tours of the Wekiva River, Econ River, Winter Park Chain of Lakes, and Blackwater Creek. They even have Rocket Launch paddle trips, full moon kayak tours, and bioluminescence paddle tours.

BK Adventure – Titusville

Kayak alongside manatees and dolphins during the day, and experience the beauty of bioluminescence at night with BK Adventure kayak tours. Kids ages 5 and up can participate with a parent/guardian, and double kayaks are available if needed. Kayak and SUP rentals are available for the Indian River Lagoon, as well as fat tire bikes (perfect for riding along the Canaveral National Seashore or the nearby wildlife refuge).

Calypso Kayaking offers families the chance to get close to Orlando's aquatic habitats.

Calypso Kayaking – Cocoa Beach

Calypso Kayaking offers both kayak and SUP tours and rentals. Tour options include manatee and dolphin encounters and bioluminescence tours. These tours run year-round and are appropriate for all ages and experience levels.

Epic Paddle Adventures – Orlando

Kids ages 3 and up can experience a night glow paddle tour or a daytime paddle over Lake Ivanhoe, a clear, spring-fed lake in the heart of Orlando. You can even bring your four-legged family member along on certain tours! Bioluminescence paddle tours are also offered in Titusville for ages 5 and up.

Florida Adventurer – Merritt Island

Book a kayak tour to watch the next space coast rocket launch with Florida Adventurer. The company also offers bioluminescent tours and manatee and dolphin kayaking adventures. Tours are 90-minutes long, and minimum age requirement is 5 years old. Tandem kayaks are available if needed.

King’s Landing – Apopka

Paddle through "Nature’s Theme Park" at King’s Landing. Canoes, single kayaks, and double kayaks are available for rent, or guests can bring their own vessel for a small entrance fee. Kids 2 and older are permitted (ages 2-12 must sit in a double kayak with an adult). Guided tours are also offered, including the Summer Nites Kayak Adventure, Timucua Reserve Kayak Adventure, Emerald Cut Kayak Adventure, and Eco River Adventure.

Manatee Paddle – Crystal River

Paddleboard or kayak with the manatees on the crystal-clear waters of Three Sisters Springs at King’s Bay. Manatee Paddle offers paddleboard and kayak tours, rentals, and lessons.

Paddleboard Orlando – Longwood

With paddle tours all over Central Florida, Paddleboard Orlando has something for everyone. Tour options include Bioluminescence Paddles, Wekiva River Paddle Adventures, Venetian Canal SUP Cruise Tours, Magical Manatee Blue Springs Tours, New Smyrna See Sealife Tours, and many more. Paddleboard and kayak rentals are also available. Kids under the age of 13 can ride on a parent’s board for no additional cost.

The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek – Kissimmee

Explore Shingle Creek on a guided SUP or kayak tour. Manatee expedition tours and St. John’s River tours are also offered. Guests can also rent a canoe, kayak, or SUP to paddle at leisure through Shingle Creek’s natural cypress forest.

Rainbow River Kayak – Dunnellon

Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or tube to paddle or float along the Rainbow River, a first magnitude spring located on Florida’s Nature Coast. The river flows at a peaceful one mile per hour, perfect for beginning paddlers. The company also offers a shuttle service to and from the river.

Wekiva Island – Longwood

Wekiva Island provides canoe, kayak (single and double), and paddleboard rentals. Guests can also launch their own vessel for a small fee. After your paddle, enjoy lunch or dinner at the onsite café.

Wekiva Outfitters – Sanford

Choose from a variety of guided Orlando tours along the Wekiva River, or rent a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe at Wekiva Outfitters. Shuttle service is available anywhere along the Wekiva River. There’s also the Lake Norris Moonlight Paddle tour option. Most tours are suitable for all ages.

Photo courtesy of the companies mentioned.