LIGHTS IN THE
WATCH // EXPLORE // CRAVE
Photo by BK Adventure
NIGHT Experience one of Florida’s most amazing natural phenomenons aboard a kayak with BK Adventure. // B Y M E L I S S A P E T E R S O N
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n warm summer nights when there’s little moonlight in the sky, something amazing happens along the Indian River near Titusville. The neon blue lights, called bioluminescence, emitted from the plankton dinoflagellates—tiny single-celled organisms that float on or near the ocean’s surface—can be seen when agitated by waves, fish or human activity, such as kayaking. Bioluminescence actually happens in many waterways throughout the world, including other parts of Florida, but according to Sandra BK, chief adventure officer with BK Adventure, the Indian River area offers some of the best bioluminescence in Florida. A kayaking tour with BK Adventure can take you to the heart of the bioluminescent action. “We do our tours on the Indian River Lagoon,” says Sandra. “This is probably the best bioluminescence in Florida and possibly in the entire world. We have done bioluminescence tours in Puerto Rico, Thailand and Mexico, and we have not seen better than right here in the lagoon.” The best time of the year to see the
dinoflagellates bioluminescence is June through September because the hotter temperature of the ocean makes the plankton more abundant. The best time of the month to see the bioluminescence is when there isn’t a lot of moon shining on the water and the only thing lighting up is the bioluminescent sea life. “Many people think you can only come during the week before or after the new moon,” says Sandra. “That’s not necessarily true. During [the summer], the bioluminescence is so bright, you can see it very well on any night. It will appear neon. Also, the moon rises sometimes very late, like 11:30pm, so in that case, a tour might be finished before the moon ever shines. People do not have to only come on the new moon weeks.” BK Adventure started in January 2016 in a tiny office in downtown Orlando. Sandra and her husband, Ram, had been working as adventure outfitters in the Himalayas prior to moving to Florida. They wanted to show local people and Florida visitors the outdoor adventures waiting to be had in Florida. “As Ram is a whitewater kayaking instructor and raft guide, it was natural for us to gravitate toward leading adventures on the water,” says Sandra. “We started by doing tours on the Silver River in the Ocala National Forest and also doing mountain bike tours in the Seminole State
Forest. In the summer of 2016, we started tours on the Indian River showing people the wonders of bioluminescence. By 2018, BK Adventure was the No. 1 bioluminescence kayaking tour company in Florida.” The most popular bioluminescence tour with BK Adventure is the Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour, where trip-goers board a completely see-through kayak and can see the bioluminescence everywhere around them. For beginner kayakers, Sandra suggests the Bio Island Fun Tour. On this tour you will paddle through the bioluminescence to a little island where you will then have a chance to swim in the neon lights. For families, Sandra says many groups choose the rafting tour because it’s guided by one of the company’s adventure guides and the family can all sit together and paddle. A bioluminescence kayaking tour is definitely an experience you won’t forget. “Even after all these years of going out there every night, it never gets old,” says Sandra. “Bioluminescence is such a unique phenomenon. There is sort of a magic and wonder to seeing it. It makes you feel in awe of nature that this tiny creature actually emits its own light. It’s magical!” BK Adventure // bkadventure.com // (407) 519-8711 SEP ‘20
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