St Augustine: Dolphin Boat Tour & Sightseeing with Local Crew

Summary

St Augustine dolphins wild on the waterway plus city sights from a comfy boat

You’ll ride a comfy boat along St Augustine’s calm waterways with locals who know every landmark and sandbar. Spot wild dolphins up close, listen to stories about Castillo de San Marcos and more, relax with free water or cozy blankets if it’s chilly — all at your own pace. There’s something honest about seeing both wildlife and city life side by side here.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that happened was I dropped my sunglasses right between the dock planks at Vilano Beach Pier. Not exactly the smooth start I’d pictured for our dolphin tour in St Augustine — but honestly, it made me laugh, and one of the crew (I think her name was Jamie?) just shrugged and said it happens all the time. That set the tone: nobody was in a rush or trying too hard. The Pellicano boat itself felt new but not fussy, with these padded seats that made me want to just flop down and watch the water for hours.

We headed out along the Intracoastal Waterway, and our captain started pointing out things I’d never have noticed — old pilings where osprey nest, the way the light hits Castillo de San Marcos so it almost glows against the sky. There was a breeze that smelled faintly salty and green, like marsh grass after rain. At some point someone spotted a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins off to port, and suddenly everyone was up leaning over the rail (including me). They surfaced so close you could hear their breath — this soft whoosh that’s weirdly gentle for such big animals. Our guide told us these dolphins actually live here year-round; it’s not just luck if you see them on this day trip from St Augustine.

I got talking to an older couple from Jacksonville who do this sightseeing tour every summer with their grandkids. They pointed out pelicans skimming low over the water and laughed when I tried to get a photo of one mid-dive (no luck). We passed under the Bridge of Lions and drifted by landmarks like the Fountain of Youth and that giant cross — honestly, I didn’t expect to care about those as much as seeing wildlife, but hearing little stories from our guide made it feel less like a checklist and more like being shown around by a friend.

There were blankets if you got chilly (which I did — should’ve brought an extra layer), free cold water bottles stashed behind the seats, and music playing quietly in the background. It wasn’t fancy or scripted; people asked questions about manatees or local history whenever they wanted. I still think about how peaceful it felt gliding back toward shore as the sun started dipping lower — not dramatic or anything, just kind of soft light on old buildings and everyone quietly watching for another dolphin tail flicker before we docked again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — St Augustine Dolphin and Sightseeing Cruise

• Depart from Vilano Beach Fishing Pier
• Cruise south along Intra-coastal Waterway
• Pass St Augustine Inlet and Salt Run
• View downtown St Augustine landmarks
• See Henry Flagler contributions and Bridge of Lions
• Spot Castillo de San Marcos and Fountain of Youth
• Observe local wildlife including dolphins and pelicans
• Enjoy narrated, relaxed atmosphere with music
• Receive complimentary water and blankets

Top questions

Where does the dolphin tour in St Augustine depart from?

The tour departs from Vilano Beach Fishing Pier at 260 Vilano Road.

How long is the Red Boat Tours Dolphin Odyssey?

The sightseeing tour lasts approximately 90 minutes on the water.

Will I definitely see dolphins on this boat tour?

Sightings are likely since local Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live here year-round, but not guaranteed.

Is this St Augustine sightseeing tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas of the boat are wheelchair accessible including transportation options.

Are blankets or drinks provided during the cruise?

Complimentary bottled water is included; cozy blankets are available on cooler days.

What landmarks do we see during this day trip?

You’ll see Castillo de San Marcos, Bridge of Lions, Fountain of Youth, Giant Cross, plus wildlife habitats along Salt Run.

Is there live commentary or can we ask questions?

The crew offers relaxed narration with plenty of time for Q&A during your cruise.

Can infants or small children join this dolphin tour?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers; infant pricing applies for children under two years old.

What’s included

Your day includes complimentary bottled water for hot days or blankets if it gets cool out on the Intracoastal Waterway. You’ll get live commentary from local crew members who share stories about St Augustine’s history and wildlife—plus plenty of chances to ask questions as you go along. Wheelchair access is available throughout your sightseeing cruise before returning to Vilano Beach Pier.