Leslie P.
Yelp
I do not recommend A Day Away Kayak Tours. I booked the bioluminescent night kayak tour in January through Booking.com website for our March trip to Cocoa Beach. On the day of the tour I received a call at 5pm from Josh with A Day Away stating that the tour guide was stuck in traffic and would not make our 8pm tour. He asked if we minded going at a later time that evening or the next day. We chose to go at the same 8pm time the next day.
On the following day, we ran into a wreck on the way to the site entering Titusville. The wreck covered both lanes and we were diverted by police to turn around. We noticed that they were at the point of sweeping the glass and decided to turn back around to see if they would let us pass as there is no other way to go around. At this point, it is 7:30 and we repeatedly tried calling the office to let someone know we would be running late. No one answered at the office and the voicemail stated to call the number from our confirmation. The only confirmation I received was from Booking.com which did not contain that information.
We pulled up to the location that was given to us from Google Maps and Booking.com and it was a Napa Auto Parts on Forest Drive. At that point, the guide, Brian, called to see where we were. I explained that we followed the directions that were given to us from our booking. He stated that he didn't know where we were and that he'd "see us next time." He said he would put a note on our account for a refund, but to please call the office. We told him that we had been trying to call the office for 30 minutes several times, but no answer. He said, "keep trying" and let me go.
I called the office as soon as I hung up with Brian. Josh immediately answered clearly angry. I told him what had happened and he challenged me the entire conversation. He told me that they do not refund. He offered a voucher to use any time, but I told him that I live over 700 miles away and would most likely not be returning. He said, "Well, I don't know what you want to do then." I said that I would need to dispute the charge with Booking.com. He said, "Fine. We'll fight it!" and hung up on me.
I did dispute it with booking.com and A Day Away lied to them saying that we were a no call no show and stated that I received a confirmation from Viator! I never received a second confirmation from them directly, only Booking.com.
So, we didn't receive the service we paid $160 for and it was because their guide was stuck in traffic the day before. We offered them grace for that and remained flexible with them, but they could not do that for us? They must really need the $160.
I never received a separate confirmation. They are the ones that had to reschedule. The Google Maps directions (screenshot of where it took us attached) were incorrect. And I'm met with unprofessional behavior? The name that comes up when you select directions from our booking came up with another name, so also beware of BK Adventures.
It didn't take us long to see the terrible reviews from Google, Yelp, etc. for me to realize that I should have read more reviews before booking. Lesson learned. Please learn from me and read some of the other reviews and book with another outfit They are wild.
Lastly, if you are looking to book a bioluminescent tour, be sure to check the seasons. I also didn't realize March is not peak season, so there was a high chance we wouldn't have seen anything anyway. Again, lesson learned. Don't book with this company. I organize trips for a living and this company is beyond unprofessional. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere otherwise you might have a birthday surprise ruined like we did.