Dolphin Tours & Kayak Adventures at Marine Discovery Center, New Smyrna Beach

Located along Florida’s Atlantic coast, New Smyrna Beach serves as the gateway to the Indian River Lagoon—a vast estuarine system recognized for its ecological richness. The Marine Discovery Center offers focused kayak and boat tours that shine a spotlight on this exceptional environment, inviting visitors to engage with its marine inhabitants up close. Whether aboard the Evening Dolphin Discovery Tour or paddling through the mangroves on the Indian River Lagoon Preserve Kayak Tour, adventurers encounter a vibrant mix of wildlife and pristine waterways.

The Evening Dolphin Discovery Tour is a standout journey, guiding guests into calm, open waters at a pace that allows ample dolphin watching. Guides bring a sharp eye and deep knowledge, pointing out pods of playful bottlenose dolphins, often including calves, alongside distant manatees and abundant birdlife. Guests describe spotting more than 30 dolphins during a single outing, illustrating just how active this area is after sunset. The low light paints the sea with a golden glow, complementing the serene atmosphere.

For those preferring a hands-on paddle experience, the Indian River Lagoon Preserve Kayak Tour threads through quiet channels lined by mangrove roots and seagrass beds. Expect encounters with colorful starfish, osprey, pelicans, hermit crabs, and herons, all thriving in this protected habitat. Guides are recognized for blending humor with scientific insight, creating educational moments that stick—making this trip especially popular with families and homeschool groups.

The Marine Discovery Center stands out as a community-driven hub, relying on donations and staffed by passionate volunteers committed to marine education and conservation. This approach enriches the local outdoor scene by combining adventure, stewardship, and learning. With the lagoon’s 4,300 species of plants and animals, every tour showcases nature’s intricacy and unfiltered beauty. For travelers seeking accessible, wildlife-filled experiences on Florida’s coast, the Center offers unmatched opportunities to witness the Indian River Lagoon’s unique ecosystem firsthand.