Price
From$59
Captain gratuity is optional and appreciated
No launch dates available?
Our regular daytime Dolphin & Manatee Tours explore the same Banana River waterways. If a daytime launch overlaps with your tour, the captain will adjust the route for the best available view whenever conditions allow.
See Regular Tour Times
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Get a Question?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team, and we are happy to talk to you.

321-978-5479

teamdolphin321@gmail.com

Rocket Launch Tour

  • Tour Duration:2 Hours
  • Rocket launch scheduleContact us
  • Max People:6 maximum

Watch a Rocket Launch from the Water

When a launch tour is available, you will travel in a small group on the Banana River near Cape Canaveral. Launch viewing from the water brings visitors about as close as the public can legally get, with an open view across the river toward the launch area. 

The experience is more than a few minutes in the sky. During the two-hour trip, you will also explore the lagoon and look for wild dolphins, manatees, coastal birds, and other Space Coast wildlife.

No Launch Tour Available for Your Dates?

Rocket launches do not always take place during our regular daytime tour hours. Some are scheduled very early in the morning or late in the evening, and launch times can change with little notice. That is why you may not always see a launch tour in our calendar – we add one only when the timing is confirmed and works with our schedule.

Our regular Dolphin & Manatee Wildlife Tours explore the same waterways throughout the day. If a daytime launch overlaps with your tour, the captain will always head toward the best available viewing position.

Please book your tour in advance through this website. Any questions? Call us at (321)978-5479

Planning where to watch from land? Explore our local guide to the best rocket launch viewing spots.

Click the link below to view the upcoming launch schedule:
View Upcoming Rocket Launch Schedule

Please note: a launch appearing on the general schedule does not automatically mean a boat tour is available. Our launch tours appear in the booking calendar only when the confirmed timing works with our operating schedule.

Tour Highlights

  • One of the Closest Public Launch Views – Viewing from the Banana River brings guests about as close to the launch area as the public can legally get.
  • Open-Water Perspective – Enjoy a wide, unobstructed view without buildings or crowded waterfront parks in front of you.
  • Stories That Bring the Space Coast to Life – Along the way, our captains share engaging stories about the region’s history, lagoon wildlife, and the growth of America’s space industry. This thoughtfully researched commentary is one of the parts of the experience our guests value most.
  • Small Group of Up to Six Guests – Our flexible small boats create a more personal experience, with plenty of opportunities to talk with the captain, ask questions and see more wildlife.
  • Space Coast Wildlife Along the Way – Look for wild dolphins, manatees, coastal birds, and other lagoon wildlife during your two-hour trip.
  • Selected Confirmed Launch Dates – Tours are added to the calendar when launch timing is confirmed and works with our operating schedule.

Location

2550 North Banana River Drive, Merritt Island
Kelly Park East – Boat Ramp

Tour Availability

Selected confirmed launch dates. Departure times vary depending on the official launch schedule.

Important Launch Policy

Rocket launches are controlled by the launch providers and may be delayed, rescheduled, or scrubbed at any time – including after guests arrive or after the boat has departed.

Your booking reserves a two-hour boat tour at the scheduled departure time; the launch itself cannot be guaranteed. If the launch does not take place during your tour, the trip will continue as a regular Dolphin & Manatee Wildlife Tour, and we will refund the difference between the launch-tour price and our regular tour price.

Changes to the launch schedule do not qualify for a refund, credit, or rescheduling. Our standard cancellation policy applies to all bookings.

Prefer to Plan Your Own Launch Viewing Without Worring About Tickets?

We completely understand that launch schedules can feel uncertain. If seeing one specific launch is your main priority and you would rather not book a tour around a schedule that may change, you may prefer to watch independently from land. Explore our local guide to the best rocket launch viewing spots on Florida’s Space Coast.

Group Size & Passenger Limit

U.S. Coast Guard regulations limit each boat to a maximum of six passengers, including infants and young children. Every person counts toward the passenger limit and requires a ticket.

Traveling with more than six guests? Contact us – (321) 978-5479 or Teamdolphin321@gmail.com
Depending on captain and boat availability, we may be able to arrange multiple boats for your group.

 

What’s Included?

  • Two-hour small-group boat tour
  • Experienced U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain
  • Launch viewing from the closest legally accessible public area on the water
  • Engaging commentary about Space Coast history, wildlife, and the local space industry
  • Life jackets and required safety equipment
  • Blankets for cooler early-morning or evening departures

What to Bring?

  • Sunscreen
  • Towel
  • Water Shoes
  • Water and Snacks
  • Camera
  • Polarize Sunglasses

CANCELLATION & RESCHEDULING

Because we run small boats and reserve your time specifically for your group, tickets are non-refundable.

You may reschedule up to 24 hours before your tour at no additional charge, subject to availability.

If something truly unexpected happens, please reach out. We’ll always do our best to help.

LAUNCH DELAYS, CHANGES & SCRUBS

Rocket launch dates and times are controlled by the launch providers and may change at any time because of weather, technical issues, or mission requirements.

Your booking reserves a two-hour boat tour at the scheduled departure time. If the launch is delayed, rescheduled, or scrubbed, the tour will continue as a regular Dolphin & Manatee Wildlife Tour, and we will refund the difference between the launch-tour price and our regular tour price.

A change to the rocket launch schedule does not qualify for an additional refund, credit, or rescheduling. Our standard cancellation policy still applies.

WEATHER & CAPTAIN CANCELLATION - OUR PROMISE

If we cancel the boat tour because of unsafe boating conditions, mechanical issues, or captain availability, you may choose a full refund or a rescheduled date.

Please note that conditions may be safe for boating even when a rocket launch is postponed or canceled. In that situation, the boat tour will still operate as scheduled.

Customer photos

FAQ

Why don’t I see any rocket launch tour dates available?

Rocket launches often take place outside our regular daytime operating hours, and scheduled times may change with little notice. We add launch tours to the booking calendar only when the timing is reasonably confirmed and works with our operating schedule.

Is the rocket launch guaranteed?

No. Launches may be delayed, rescheduled, or scrubbed because of weather, technical issues, or mission requirements. Your booking guarantees a two-hour boat tour, but the launch itself is controlled entirely by the launch provider.

What happens if the launch is postponed or scrubbed?

The trip will continue as a regular Dolphin & Manatee Wildlife Tour through the Banana River Lagoon. We will refund the difference between the launch-tour price and our regular tour price. Changes to the launch schedule do not qualify for an additional refund, credit, or rescheduling.

How close will we get to the launch?

Viewing from the Banana River brings guests about as close to the launch area as the public can legally get from the water. The captain chooses the best available position based on the launch site, temporary safety restrictions, weather, and water conditions.

Will we also see dolphins and manatees?

The tour travels through natural dolphin and manatee habitat, so wildlife encounters are often part of the experience. However, all animals are wild, and specific sightings cannot be guaranteed. Guests may also see coastal birds and other Banana River Lagoon wildlife.

Is this only a rocket launch viewing trip?

No. It is a full two-hour Space Coast experience. Along with launch viewing, our captains share engaging stories about the region’s history, wildlife, waterways, and the development of America’s space industry.

Do infants and children need tickets?

Yes. U.S. Coast Guard passenger limits allow a maximum of six guests per boat, and every person counts toward that limit regardless of age—including infants and toddlers. Each passenger therefore requires a ticket.

Are there restrooms on the boat?

There is no restroom on the boat so recommend using the public restroom at the park prior to boarding.

Planning your visit near the port?
Learn more about our Dolphin Tours Near Port Canaveral for families looking for a relaxed wildlife experience.