St. Augustine: Nights of Lights Party Boat BYOB Cruise

Summary

St. Augustine nights lit up from the water with music and laughter

You’ll float past St. Augustine’s historic landmarks on a lively BYOB party boat during Nights of Lights, with music, dancing, and local stories from your crew. Expect laughter, spontaneous moments by the railings, and those rare silences when everyone just stares at the city glowing back at you.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to see St. Augustine during Nights of Lights, but from the water — not just walking the old streets? I didn’t expect it to hit so different. We climbed aboard this party boat (BYOB, which honestly made things more fun) and right away, you could hear someone’s playlist mixing with the captain’s stories about the Castillo de San Marcos. The air was cool but not cold — you know that Florida winter thing where you need a sweater but still feel the salt in your hair?

Our first mate, Jamie, handed out ice and pointed out the Bridge of Lions as we drifted by. The lights reflected everywhere — like someone spilled a box of gold and white Christmas bulbs across the water. People were laughing, some dancing near the railings (I tried but nearly lost my balance when we hit a wake). Someone passed me a cup — rum punch, I think? — and for a second I forgot all about work or emails or anything except how wild it is that this city’s been glowing like this for centuries.

I caught myself staring at Mission Nombre de Dios all lit up, thinking about how many people have crossed these waters before us. There was this moment when everyone got quiet just watching the lighthouse blink through the dark — even our guide stopped talking for once. The music picked up again after that and we all started singing along to something old-school (I’m pretty sure my voice cracked). It wasn’t perfect, but honestly that made it better.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Party boat tour of St. Augustine lights

• Board Old Town Party Boat
• Bring your own food and drinks
• Party, dance, and sing onboard
• Cruise past Castillo de San Marcos
• View Bridge of Lions from water
• See Mission Nombre de Dios from water
• View St. Augustine Lighthouse from water
• Take photos of holiday lights

Top questions

Is alcohol included on the St. Augustine party boat?

No, all tours are strictly BYOB—bring your own drinks and food.

What landmarks will I see on this Nights of Lights cruise?

You’ll pass Castillo de San Marcos, Bridge of Lions, Mission Nombre de Dios, and St. Augustine Lighthouse—all from the water.

How long does the party boat tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed but expect enough time to cruise past major sights at night.

Is there an age requirement for this tour?

Yes, guests must be 18 years or older to join.

Are there bathrooms on board?

Yes—the boat has a toilet available for guests.

Can I bring my own food on board?

Yes—guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks or meals along with drinks.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

No—pickup is not included; guests meet directly at the departure point.

Is this cruise suitable for travelers with health issues?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

What’s included

Your evening includes a lively cruise with music under holiday lights, BYOB privileges (bring your own drinks and snacks), ice and coolers provided by a friendly local crew including both master captain and first mate—and yes, there’s even a toilet on board if you need it between laughs or dance breaks.