Vero Beach tours: choose your setting
Vero Beach tours offer several ways to experience the region, from a clear kayak among mangroves to fishing inland and a narrated boat trip farther north. The meeting points are different, so begin with the place you are willing to travel to, then compare the activity and what is included.
The Indian River Lagoon lies between the mainland and barrier islands. A paddle puts you close to the water, while a boat lets you watch the surroundings from on board. Neither format can promise a wildlife encounter.
Our picks: tours on the water
The Vero Beach kayak trip includes a mangrove guide. Choose fishing for the boat and equipment, or the Cocoa Beach eco tour for commentary by local captains.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided bass fishing from Fellsmere
- Boat and guide
- All fishing equipment
- Ice and bottled water
A fishing license is required and costs extra.
Check availability →
Clear kayak trip through red mangroves
- Guided mangrove tour
- Life jackets
- Safety whistles
Wildlife may be seen along the way. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.
Check availability →
Eco boat trip from Cocoa Beach
- Bathroom on board
- Free parking
Local captains provide narration during the eco tour.
Check availability →Kayaking, fishing and lagoon boats
Compare a local clear kayak trip, bass fishing from Fellsmere and a wildlife boat from Cocoa Beach.
A clear kayak in Vero Beach
The local guided outing uses clear kayaks through red mangroves. The trip includes life jackets and safety whistles, and offers opportunities to observe wildlife such as birds, fish, turtles, dolphins and manatees. The animals are wild and may not appear on a particular trip. Transportation to the meeting point is separate, so plan your own arrival.
Think about whether the active pace suits everyone in your party. The water view is different from a walk on shore, and the guide provides a way to explore the mangrove setting together. For more launch points, compare the kayak guide, including Fort Pierce and Sebastian Inlet.
Fishing near Fellsmere
The guided bass fishing trip starts at Headwaters Lake in Fellsmere. The boat, guide, fishing equipment, ice and bottled water are included. The fishing licence is extra; food, drinks and optional live bait are also additional. Arrange the licence and check the booking details before travelling to the ramp.
This is an inland fishing choice rather than an Atlantic beach activity. It works well as a separate part of a trip for visitors who want time on the water with a local guide. Compare the start location with your accommodation and leave enough room in the day for the drive and the outing.
Wildlife boats and the lagoon
The wildlife boat from Cocoa Beach departs on the Banana River in the wider lagoon system, not from Vero Beach. A local captain narrates the outing; a bathroom and parking are included. Drinks are available for purchase. Check the exact meeting instructions and the weather before leaving.
For another departure and more about observing wildlife responsibly, see the Indian River Lagoon guide. Give manatees room, never feed or pursue them, and watch dolphins from a respectful distance. A boat ticket is an opportunity to explore a habitat, not a guarantee of an animal sighting.
Day trips: Kennedy Space Center and Orlando
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is an option for a separately planned day out. The regular admission includes the bus to the Apollo/Saturn V Center and Atlantis; parking and special extended experiences are separate. Check the visitor calendar and the ticket details before setting out, and allow a full day for the visit.
For another kind of day, explore Orlando theme parks. Arrange transport independently and check admission for the particular park and date. The regional journey to Orlando International Airport is not a travel time to every attraction, so plan the actual destination separately.
How to fit an outing into your stay
Choose the activity first, then read its meeting point, start time, equipment and terms. Conditions can change on the water, so bring sun protection and check the operator’s instructions. A beach or garden day can provide a useful alternative when your plans need flexibility.
The arrival guide compares regional airports, while things to do covers gardens and galleries. Combining a nearby activity with time at the coast can make the day easier to plan than joining distant departures without allowing for the journey.
Vero Beach tours: frequently asked questions
Where does the local kayak outing start?
The guided clear kayak outing meets in Vero Beach. Check the current meeting instructions with the operator.
Is the fishing licence included?
The Headwaters Lake fishing trip includes the boat and equipment; the fishing licence is extra.
Does the Cocoa Beach boat leave from Vero Beach?
It leaves from Cocoa Beach on the Banana River. Allow for the journey to its meeting point.
Will I see dolphins?
Dolphins and other wildlife are possible sightings, not guaranteed encounters.