St Augustine: Sunset Boat Tour & Dolphin Spotting

The boat's already moving when you spot the first dolphin

You board a boat and spend an hour on the water watching the Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine Lighthouse, Bridge of Lions, and Mission Nombre de Dios slip past as your guide talks through the city's history. Dolphins sometimes appear. You get bottled water and catch the sunset from the river instead of the street. The boat leaves before the light goes completely, so you're back on land while it's still dusk.

Step-by-step itinerary

St Augustine sunset boat tour

• See Saint Augustine lighthouse from water
• Pass by Bridge of Lions
• View the Fort from boat
• See the Great Cross

The experience

The engine starts and you're heading out into the Matanzas River before you've finished settling in. Your guide is already pointing toward the Castillo de San Marcos (the old fort rising up from the shore), and talking through four centuries of St Augustine history while the water's still smooth and the light hasn't turned gold yet. You'll pass the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Bridge of Lions, and Mission Nombre de Dios, each one getting its own story as you move downriver. The whole thing takes maybe an hour, but it doesn't feel rushed because the boat's pace is slow enough that you can actually look at what you're looking at.

Dolphins show up sometimes. Not guaranteed, but the guide will tell you straight. They're out here, and if conditions are right, you'll see them playing in the water. Even if they don't surface, there's something about being on the water at that hour that makes the old city look different than it does from the street. The lighthouse turns a particular shade of red-and-white when the sun hits it low. The fort's shadow stretches across the water. You get bottled water, which matters more than it sounds when you're out on the boat for an hour and the sun's still warm.

The timing is the whole point. You're catching St Augustine at sunset, which is when the tourists who spent the day walking the colonial streets have mostly gone back to their hotels. It's quieter on the water. The guide knows the history and isn't just reading it off a card. If you've got small kids, they can come along. Strollers work fine on the dock, and the boat's stable enough that it's not a white-knuckle thing. Public transit gets you to the departure point if you don't have a car.

What’s included

• Your tour includes bottled water and a guide who shares the history of St Augustine's landmarks: the Castillo de San Marcos, St.
• Augustine Lighthouse, Bridge of Lions, and Mission Nombre de Dios, as you travel downriver at sunset.
• The boat is stable and suitable for all fitness levels, and strollers are welcome for small children.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:00 and 18:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (under 15)

GroupUp to 28 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by St. Augustine Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see St Augustine's main historic sites from the water without walking the colonial streets, and you're flexible about dolphin sightings: the sunset timing and river perspective are what make the old fort and lighthouse look different than they do from land.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 15).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the sunset boat tour depart?

The tour is timed for sunset, so departure shifts with the season. Check the booking page for the exact time on your date.

How long is the St Augustine sunset boat tour?

Approximately one hour on the water.

Are dolphins guaranteed on this tour?

No. Dolphins are in the river and sometimes surface, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What's included in the tour?

Bottled water and a guide who narrates the historic sites as you pass them.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the dock?

Public transportation options are available nearby. You can also drive and park.

What if the weather is bad?

Check your confirmation email for the operator's weather policy and cancellation terms.

Which historic sites do you see on the boat?

The Castillo de San Marcos (the fort), St. Augustine Lighthouse, Bridge of Lions, and Mission Nombre de Dios.