St Augustine: Sunset BYOB Cruise & Wildlife on Matanzas Bay

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration1h 30m

GroupUp to 56

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sunset cruise st augustine byob wildlife and city views

You’ll step onto the Pellicano for a sunset BYOB cruise through St Augustine’s waterways, with friendly locals guiding you past city landmarks and wildlife like dolphins or pelicans. Cozy blankets, complimentary water, and relaxed laughter set the mood as you drift along Matanzas Bay — leaving you with an unexpected sense of calm long after you’re back on shore.

1h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise on St. Augustine waterway

Board the Pellicano boat
Bring your own beverages
Relax on plush padded seats
Enjoy complimentary water and blankets
Cruise through St. Augustine and Matanzas Bay
Watch the sun set behind skyline
Observe local wildlife like dolphins and manatees
View famous St. Augustine landmarks

The Experience

I’ll just say it — I didn’t expect to feel so immediately at ease stepping onto the Pellicano. The deck had this lived-in comfort, like someone’s back porch but floating. We’d brought a couple of cans (the guy next to us had a whole cooler, respect) and as soon as we pushed off into the Matanzas Bay, the air felt cooler than in town — that salty edge you get near dusk. Our captain, who everyone just called Red, tossed out a few stories about St Augustine’s old bridges and pointed out the Castillo in the distance. He seemed to know everyone on the docks; people waved as we drifted by.

I kept thinking I’d be glued to my phone for photos but honestly, after a while I just wanted to watch the light shift across the water. There was this one moment where three dolphins surfaced right near us — not jumping or anything showy, just gliding along. Someone handed me a blanket (they keep them stacked up for chilly evenings) and I remember how soft it felt against my arm while I tried not to spill my drink. The main keyword here is “sunset cruise St Augustine,” but really it’s more about that feeling of being part of the river for a bit. Red cracked jokes about pelicans being the “real locals” and I laughed more than I thought I would.

The city skyline looked different from out there — smaller somehow, and softer around the edges. We passed under low bridges where you could smell briny mud and hear osprey calling overhead. A couple near us tried to spot manatees (no luck this time), but we did catch sight of turtles sunning themselves on a half-sunk log. It wasn’t fancy or fussy; just slow-moving water, people sharing snacks, and that golden hour light stretching everything out. When we finally docked again it felt too soon — you know? Still think about that easy quiet sometimes when things get loud back home.

What’s included

Your evening includes bottled water ready whenever you want it, live stories from your local guide as you pass St Augustine’s best-known sights by boat, cozy blankets if it gets chilly out on Matanzas Bay, plus professional photos snapped along the way — all while you enjoy whatever drinks or snacks you’ve brought aboard before heading back after sunset.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Red Boat Tours, LLC