Is the event suitable for children?

Participants must be at least 16 years old to join this immersive forest bathing experience.

What should I bring to the experience?

Comfortable shoes, a light jacket, and optionally a red light flashlight to help navigate the garden at night.

Are pets allowed during the session?

Pets are not permitted during Moonrise Forest Bathing to maintain the peaceful environment.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility information is not specified; contact The Kampong directly to discuss accommodations.

The experience may be rescheduled or canceled in case of heavy rain; check with the provider for updates.

Can I take photographs during the event?

Photography is allowed but discretion is requested to preserve the contemplative mood and minimize light disturbance.

Moonrise Forest Bathing at The Kampong: A Nighttime Nature Escape in Miami | Events | Self-Guided Tour

As the sun sets and the Miami sky deepens into twilight, a rare invitation awaits at The Kampong, a historic tropical garden on Douglas Road. This isn’t your typical garden stroll—it’s Moonrise Forest Bathing, a carefully curated sensory experience led by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta, designed to reconnect you with nature under the soft glow of the full moon. Located steps from Biscayne Bay, The Kampong offers a unique ecosystem teeming with exotic fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and rare palms, making this evening immersion unlike any other in South Florida.

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan as a therapeutic practice of soaking in forest atmosphere, and here it is reborn with a scientific edge. Karina Del Punta, founder of neuroXnature, guides up to 20 participants to slow their pace and awaken their senses amidst the tropical scents and hushed sounds of The Kampong at night. The experience invites visitors to pause, breathe, and absorb the environment’s calming energy—a mental decluttering wrapped in fragrant night air.

As the moonlight filters through the canopy, the gardens transform, revealing textures and silhouettes unseen by day. Birdsong becomes rare but the rustling palms and distant waves create a soothing soundtrack. Guests explore the winding paths intentionally, noticing the distinct flora including mangos, lychee trees, and banyan roots sprawling like nature’s artwork. The physical presence of these botanical giants coupled with mindful breathing exercises enhances cardiovascular health while lowering anxiety and stress.

What sets this experience apart is its fusion of cutting-edge neuroscience research with deep ecological wisdom. Studies show forest bathing improves immune function, reduces inflammation, boosts creativity, and facilitates emotional healing—benefits that are thoughtfully woven into the evening’s gentle flow. For urban residents and visitors alike, it’s a chance to reset both body and mind in a lush green refuge sheltered by Miami’s subtropical climate.

The Kampong itself is an outdoor laboratory and living museum, a vital preservation site dating back to early 20th century plant explorations. Its location in Coconut Grove hints at the city’s layered history linking indigenous, colonial, and modern stewardship of South Florida’s fragile ecosystems.

Whether you’re seeking relief from urban stress, a novel date night, or inspiration for mindfulness practice, Moonrise Forest Bathing offers a captivating escape. Bring comfortable shoes and an openness to rediscover nature’s subtle language beneath Miami’s vibrant night sky.

About The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens

The Kampong — part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens — is a historic tropical garden located in Miami, Florida on the shores of Biscayne Bay. The site preserves the Fairchild-Sweeney House and showcases the legacy of plant explorer David Fairchild through extensive exotic fruit trees, rare tropical species, and curated collections. Visitors can choose docent-led guided tours that highlight the estate’s history and plant collections, or self-guided tours that allow leisurely exploration with a provided map.

The Kampong hosts a rotating schedule of hands-on workshops and classes set in the garden landscape. Offerings include cyanotype printing for fabric, community indigo dip workshops teaching Shibori resist dyeing, edible gardening programming presented with UF/IFAS (recommended for ages 12 and up), watercolor courses led by local artist Eileen Seitz, and all-levels yoga with Sam Reynolds. Forest bathing sessions guided by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta focus on sensory practices grounded in science; evening Moonrise Forest Bathing is offered under the full moon.

Several specialty experiences such as macrophotography, ikebana, functional movement, and seasonal events invite creative engagement with plants and place. Cyanotype workshops note limited spaces to encourage advance booking. The Kampong combines plant conservation, education, and cultural programming on a historic estate, offering both structured interpretation and independent discovery for visitors interested in botany, art, sustainability, and Miami’s tropical landscape.

Public programs emphasize hands-on learning, conservation-minded practices, seasonal plant highlights, and the site supports research, education, and community engagement for residents and visitors from Miami and beyond, with year-round programming and volunteer opportunities available.