Guide to Boat Tours in St. Augustine

St. Augustine, Florida, is renowned not just for its historic charm and architectural beauty, but also for its diverse and exciting boat tours. These boat tours offer unique experiences on the water, showcasing the region’s natural beauty and wildlife. Here’s a detailed look at some of the best boat tours available in St. Augustine, with insights into the types of tours they offer, price ranges, and what makes each one special.

Scenic Cruise St. Augustine

Scenic Cruise St. Augustine is a historic boat tour offering visitors an unparalleled view of the city since the early 1900s. This family-operated business allows passengers to explore St. Augustine’s historic landmarks and natural beauty from Matanzas Bay, providing a rich narrative that connects the city’s past to its present.

The cruise includes daily tours that offer unique perspectives of St. Augustine's iconic sites, and private charters are available for those looking to celebrate special occasions in an intimate setting.

With prices ranging from $20 to $30 per person, Scenic Cruise is an accessible and deeply immersive experience that continues to be a staple in the community. Its long-standing history and personalized storytelling make it a must-try for anyone looking to connect with the city’s rich heritage while enjoying breathtaking skyline views and natural surroundings.

Florida Water Tours

Florida Water Tours offers a range of ecotourism cruises that appeal to vacationers and locals alike. Known for its educational experiences, this company provides various tours highlighting the Intracoastal Waterway’s beauty, including dolphin and wildlife adventures, sunset cruises, and a unique wine-tasting experience on the water.

The tours are priced between $30 and $60 per person, depending on the type and duration of the tour.

What sets Florida Water Tours apart is their commitment to community involvement with a portion of every ticket supporting their Florida Water Warriors program, which provides educational outreach to underserved students. Their wine-tasting cruise is particularly unique in St. Augustine, offering a perfect blend of leisure and learning on the water.

Cruisin' Tikis St. Augustine

For those seeking a more intimate and laid-back experience, Cruisin' Tikis St. Augustine offers a unique and enjoyable way to explore the local waterways.

These tiki-style boat tours are perfect for small groups who want to relax and take in the sights with a personalized touch. The tours range from island explorations to sunset cruises, with pricing starting at $65 per person.

What makes Cruisin' Tikis special is the casual, fun atmosphere created by the tiki boats, equipped with a licensed captain, a cooler for your drinks, and Bluetooth speakers for your favorite music. This tour is an excellent option for creating a custom experience, whether a romantic evening or a casual outing with friends.

Red Boat Tours

Red Boat Tours provides a variety of fun and educational boat tours that cater to families, friends, and anyone looking to explore St. Augustine from the water.

Their dolphin tours are particularly popular, offering close encounters with these playful creatures in their natural habitat. In addition to dolphin tours, Red Boat Tours also offers sunset cruises and private charters, making it a versatile option for different occasions. Prices start at  $29 per person, with the flexibility to bring your own beverages on board, enhancing the overall experience.

Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable crew, Red Boat Tours is a great choice for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of St. Augustine in a relaxed and welcoming environment. However, booking in advance is important, especially during peak seasons, as these tours tend to fill up quickly.

St. Augustine Eco Tours

St. Augustine Eco Tours is the perfect option for nature enthusiasts keen to learn more about the local environment and wildlife. This tour company specializes in small group experiences, offering dolphin and wildlife adventures, and kayak and sailing tours.

The tours are designed to be both educational and engaging, providing participants with in-depth insights into the region’s ecology. Prices typically range from $45 to $65 per person.

The small group size allows for a more intimate experience, where participants can interact directly with knowledgeable guides and enjoy close encounters with local wildlife. St. Augustine Eco Tours is also one of the few operators in the area that offers guided kayak tours, adding an adventurous element to their eco-friendly offerings.

Old Town Party Boat

Old Town Party Boat is all about celebrating on the water, making it an ideal choice for those looking to host a private party or join a public tour with a festive atmosphere. Whether it’s a birthday, bachelorette party, or just a fun night out, this boat offers a lively and enjoyable environment perfect for socializing.

The tours range from private party charters to public tours, with special event cruises available during holidays and local events like the Nights of Lights. Each tour is a 90-minute BYOB cruise along St. Augustine’s historic bayfront departing from Vilano Beach. Their pedal boat can fit up to 25 passengers and features a full lounge area on the bow, a dance floor, a removable canopy for the sun, and a quality sound system. Prices start around $40 per person, making it affordable for a memorable celebration on the water.

What sets Old Town Party Boat apart is its focus on creating a fun and lively party atmosphere, complete with music, drinks, and a friendly crew that ensures everyone has a great time. Booking during special events like the Nights of Lights adds an extra layer of excitement to the experience.

Black Raven Adventures

Black Raven Adventures offers a pirate-themed experience perfect for families and those looking to add a bit of excitement to their tour. Known for its interactive pirate shows and themed cruises, Black Raven provides a fun and adventurous way to explore the waters around St. Augustine.

The tours include family-friendly treasure hunts, tropical sunset cruises, and the 21+ Rum Runner Pirate Show, a lively and entertaining booze cruise. Prices start from $39 per person, with special events and themed cruises priced higher. The pirate theme adds a unique and playful twist to the typical boat tour, making it a hit with children and adults.

With daily treasure hunts and entertaining pirate shows, Black Raven Adventures is one of the most popular family-friendly tours in St. Augustine, offering a memorable and engaging experience for all ages.

Sabrage Charters

Sabrage offers an upscale experience on the water aboard a 63-foot Custom Cooper Catamaran, designed to accommodate up to 80 guests. This sleek, modern yacht features a premium sound system, TV and A/V capabilities, a full-service bar, spacious decks, comfortable seating, and two restrooms.

Sabrage provides a variety of cruises, including daily sunset sails, scenic eco boat tours, and private event charters, including corporate events, weddings, and family reunions. Sabrage's attentive crew ensures a VIP experience, making it the top choice for those looking to enjoy St. Augustine's scenic beauty in style, with prices starting from $40 per person, depending on the tour.

Conclusion

Exploring St. Augustine from the water offers a unique perspective on the city’s rich history and natural beauty. Each of these tours offers something unique, ensuring that your time in St. Augustine is memorable and enjoyable—book in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure your spot on these popular tours.