Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

All participants must sign a release form. Anyone under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian to sign on their behalf. You can sign online when you book your rental in advance.

Please see our Rental Terms & Conditions.

Discover the mesmerizing glow of bioluminescence on an unforgettable nighttime kayak tour in Port Gamble Bay. Paddle quietly along nearly two miles of protected shoreline as each stroke lights the water with shimmering blue sparks—a natural light show you’ll never forget.

Led by experienced guides and naturalists, this tour blends wonder, education, and ease, making it perfect for first-time paddlers, families, locals, and visitors alike.

Why This Tour Is Special

Exceptional Location – Port Gamble Bay is a calm, protected bay with minimal light pollution and extensive shoreline—ideal conditions for bioluminescence viewing.
Beginner-Friendly – Stable double sit-on-top kayaks and guided instruction make this tour accessible to all experience levels.
Naturalist-Led Experience – Learn what causes bioluminescence and why this bay glows so consistently.
Small-Group, Shoreline Paddling – We paddle close to shore for the best viewing and an intimate experience with nature.

Who This Tour Is For

All ages and experience levels
Families, couples, solo travelers, and groups
No prior kayaking experience required

What’s Included

Professional kayak guides
Stable double sit-on-top kayaks
Paddle and PFD (life jacket)
Boat navigation light and headlamp
Safety briefing, naturalist talk, and kayak instruction

For safety and group consistency, personal kayaks or paddleboards are not permitted on this tour.

What to Expect

Guided introductions, safety briefing, and naturalist talk before launch
A short kayak lesson or refresher on the beach
Easy beach launch (sand or small rocks depending on tide)
Out-and-back paddle along approximately 1.2 miles of shoreline
Bioluminescence visible as your paddle and kayak move through the water
About 1–1.5 hours on the water, with total tour time around 2 hours

You may also enjoy sunsets over the Olympic Mountains before darkness sets in.

Night & Moonlight Conditions

Tours begin after dark—bioluminescence appears only at night
Bioluminescence is present throughout the season
Full moon nights still offer bioluminescence, though it may appear subtler
Cloudy nights often enhance visibility by reducing ambient light

Safety & Group Management

Each kayak has a navigation light; each guest has a headlamp and whistle
Participant lights may be turned off during the paddle to enhance viewing
Guides’ lights remain on at all times for visibility
Paddling stays close to shore for safety and optimal viewing
The group may spread out naturally to enhance the experience
Lead and sweep guides manage the group at all times

Tours do not operate in lightning or high winds. Light rain is possible.

What to Bring

Warm, layered clothing (synthetic preferred; no cotton)
Windproof or waterproof jacket
Shoes that can get wet (sandals with straps or water shoes; no flip-flops)
Water bottle and small snack (optional)
Warm hat
Optional: dry bag for personal items

A change of clothes and towel left in your car is always a good idea.

Timing & Meeting Details

Start times vary by season to ensure full darkness
Standard meet time is 9:30 PM, ending around 11:30 PM (varies by date)
Tours begin and end at Olympic Outdoor Center Beach Site, Port Gamble
- From the stop sign in Port Gamble, turn right to follow the road to the waterfront. You will see our large, OOC branded container; park and proceed to check in bench.

⚠️ Please note: Kingston ferries do not run late enough to be taken after the tour. Bainbridge Island ferries run later—please check current schedules in advance.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds or transfers for cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled tour. Substitutions are allowed for the reserved date.

Local Hotels and Accommodations:

Visit VisitKitsap.com for accommodations.
HipCamp by NightOwl Cycling (Kingston, WA) - Tent, RV, Yurt, or Van Camping.
In Port Orchard you will find comfortable lodging at Comfort Inn at the Bay and Red Lion Inn & Suites.
Downtown Silverdale hotels include Oxford Suites, Best Western Plus Silverdale Beach Hotel, and Quality Inn & Suites.
Poulsbo is also a favorite place to stay.
Local State Parks and RV lots

Magic of the Night

Olympic Outdoor Center’s Bioluminescence Kayak Tour in Port Gamble was absolutely a highlight of our trip to the PNW. We had 5 guides that evening, each of whom were amazing and very informative. They also set the expectations for what we hoped to encounter as well as information regarding the area and other things we may see that evening (i.e., harbor seals- hoped, but none that night hah) The night we went was absolutely perfect. As it had been a cloudy evening, the sole light pollution in the area (ahem, the MOON) was not an issue that night! Additionally, the water was as still as the night and like glass as we glided through the waters leading to the Puget Sound. We were blown away once we saw what can only be described as illuminated glitter on the water! Such a unique experience that we have already recommended to friends and family. We had this experience in August and definitely wore pants and dressed with the evening temperatures in mind (sweatshirts, jackets). Though, we did warm up pretty quickly once we began kayaking.

Fantastic Experience!

We were a group of mixed kayaking experience (first timer to very experinced) and we all loved this tour! The guides did a great job of covering the pre-launch safety talk and included some interesting info from a Naturalist on bioluminescence and other wildlife in the area. We were on the water early and had plenty of time to paddle to the prime viewing area and plenty of time to play in the marine phenomenon of bioluminescence. It was fantastic! The guides checked in with each boat regularly throughout and made sure we were all having a fulfilling experience. Wear layers and have dry clothes to change into afterward, including shoes. Rainpants might also be a good suggestion to keep your legs dry while paddling. Highly recommend!

Too many kayaks. We also

Too many kayaks. We also spent a long time waiting for the safety talk to begin. The guides talked for a long time. They told us to listen for whistles for directions and told us we had to remember those signals. The entire time we were kayaking we didn't hear a single whistle. Also it took forever to launch all the kayaks. Me and my partner could definately have handled getting in the kayaks. And so could many other groups there. It took like a half hour until everyone was ready to go. By the time we could start kayaking our backs hurt so much from sitting in the uncomfortable kayaks. I would just buy my own kayak next time and go without the guides. The tour was definately not worth the price. Especially since it was only for 45 minutes of paddling.

The biolumenesence was spectacular, location

The biolumenesence was spectacular, location was decent and the reduced artificial light along the coast helped greatly. The guides were young, lacked situational awareness, and difficult to understand at times. Being an experienced kayaker I wasn't worried about myself or my wife but I wasn't confident the guides could effectively handle an emergency situation. There were some older supervision and the overall risk is fairly low even for new kayakers.

Great!

Great!

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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

Why This Tour Is Special

Who This Tour Is For

What’s Included

What to Expect

Night & Moonlight Conditions

Safety & Group Management

What to Bring

Timing & Meeting Details

Cancellation Policy

Local Hotels and Accommodations:

Customer Reviews

Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

More Information