St Augustine: Boat & Golf Cart Tour with Historic Landmarks

Summary

St Augustine’s fort, lighthouse views and old streets by boat and cart

You’ll see St Augustine from both water and land: cruise Matanzas Harbor past Castillo de San Marcos and Mission Nombre de Dios, then ride a golf cart through historic streets like Aviles and past Flagler College. With stories from your local guide and time to soak up details most visitors miss, this day trip leaves you feeling like you’ve touched every layer of the city.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the way the sunlight bounced off the Castillo de San Marcos as we drifted past on the boat — kind of surreal seeing it from the water instead of just walking around it like everyone else. Our guide, Maria, had this knack for tossing out little stories at just the right moment. She pointed out where the old Spanish cannons would’ve faced us, and I swear you could almost hear echoes if you closed your eyes for a second. The breeze was salty but not too strong, and there was this faint smell of sunscreen mixed with something sweet — maybe someone’s orange soda? Anyway, dolphins popped up near Anastasia State Park (I nearly dropped my phone trying to get a photo).

After docking, Maria was waiting with her golf cart — she waved like she’d known us for years. We zipped through these narrow streets in downtown St Augustine, which felt both ancient and kind of alive in a way I didn’t expect. There’s this street called Aviles that she said is the oldest in the US; I kept thinking about all the feet that must’ve walked there before ours. At Flagler College, she told a story about Mr. Flagler’s ghost haunting the vestibule — she laughed when I looked over my shoulder (I’m not superstitious but still). The Lightner Museum used to be a hotel for rich folks who wanted Turkish baths and indoor pools — hard to imagine now with all those quiet galleries inside.

The tour moved at an easy pace — not rushed or anything — and there were moments when we’d just pause to look at some odd architectural detail or watch people feeding pigeons in the Plaza de la Constitucion. It wasn’t all big sights; sometimes it was just about soaking up how weirdly peaceful St Augustine can feel, even with tourists everywhere. The private boat & golf cart tour really gave me a sense of how layered this place is. I keep thinking about that view from under the lighthouse, with gulls circling overhead and our guide telling us about shipwrecks — you know how some places just stick with you?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — St Augustine boat and city tour

• Meet guide at Plaza de la Constitucion
• Introduction to St Augustine history
• Walk to municipal marina
• Board Victory III boat
• Enjoy narrated 75-minute boat tour
• View St Augustine waterfront and houses
• See Castillo de San Marcos from water
• Observe oldest masonry fort
• View largest stainless steel cross
• See Fountain of Youth site
• Spot birds and dolphins near Anastasia Park
• Photograph St Augustine Lighthouse
• Hear city skyline building stories
• Return to dock and meet guide
• Golf cart city tour of downtown
• Walk alleys in art district
• Step on Aviles Street, oldest US street
• Pass Lightner Museum and city hall
• Visit Villa Zorayda museum grounds
• Tour Flagler College and courtyard

Top questions

How long does the St Augustine boat & golf cart tour last?

The tour includes a 75-minute narrated boat cruise followed by about one hour exploring downtown by golf cart.

Where does the tour start in St Augustine?

The tour begins at Plaza de la Constitucion in central St Augustine.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; guests meet at Plaza de la Constitucion.

What landmarks are included on this day trip?

You’ll see Castillo de San Marcos, Mission Nombre de Dios, Fountain of Youth site, Lightner Museum, Flagler College, Aviles Street, Villa Zorayda museum grounds, and more.

Are drinks or snacks included on the tour?

Soda or bottled water is included during your day trip.

Is this private or group tour?

The standard experience is small group; larger groups can call ahead for arrangements.

Can infants or small children join?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during both parts of the tour.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your certified guide at Plaza de la Constitucion before heading to board your narrated boat cruise ticket (with soda or bottled water provided), then returning to explore downtown St Augustine by golf cart together before wrapping up near where you started.