The verdict
Our pick
St Augustine: Dolphin Boat Tour & Sightseeing with Local Crew★ 4.93 (422) · 2h
Best value
Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise St Augustine: Matanzas Bay Tour★ 4.92 (146) · 1h
Top rated
St Augustine: Dolphin Boat Tour & History Cruise with Sunset★ 4.94 (79) · 1h–1h 10m
The 12 best-value of 16 options, side by side
✓ 2026-09-29Real price per person across the 16 options: US$ 34–US$ 85 (median US$ 44). With 100+ reviews: 13 of 16.
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St. Augustine Sunset Cruise: Adults 21+ & Family OptionsYou board a boat in St. Augustine and watch the sunset hit the Castillo de San Marcos while a local guide talks through the history of the bay. You pass the lighthouse, the great cross, and the old bridge, with a beer or wine bar on board (or soft drinks), and you're back on solid ground before dark. Free parking means you don't waste time hunting for a spot.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the St. Augustine waterfront without arranging your own boat or navigating the old city's parking—the fixed departure time and included parking mean you show up and the rest is handled.
St. Augustine Dolphin and Wildlife Tour: See Dolphins PlayingA 90-minute boat tour from St. Augustine with a live naturalist guide, you watch for dolphins, sea turtles and Florida birds while passing the Lighthouse, a historic bridge and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument by water. The guide provides live commentary on the marine ecosystem and local history; free parking and on-board restroom are included. Three vessel options are available, with bar service (beer, wine, snacks) on two of them and BYOB permission on the Island Breeze.Is it for me?Book the Island Breeze if you want to bring your own drinks and keep the cost down; choose the OSPREY or GREAT BLUE HERON if you'd rather order from the bar and not worry about what to pack. All three run the same route and carry the same naturalist guide—the difference is what's on board and what you're allowed to bring.
Wine Tasting Cruise St. Augustine: 6 wines on the waterA wine tasting cruise on the St. Augustine bayfront lasting 90 minutes, with a local guide, 6 wine tastings and live commentary on the city's landmarks including the Castillo de San Marcos and Mission Nombre de Dios. You board 15 minutes early for a safety briefing, and the boat departs on schedule. Minimum age is 21; secured footwear is required and heels, flip-flops or slides are not permitted.Is it for me?Other St. Augustine tours make you choose between sightseeing and wine—this one pairs them, so the landmarks and the tastings happen together on the water instead of as separate stops on land.
St Augustine: Live Music Sunset Sail & After Dark CruiseYou board a catamaran at Vilano Beach and choose between a two-hour sunset sail with sails raised or a 90-minute evening cruise after dark. Either way, you get live local musicians, complimentary drinks (beer, wine, champagne, margaritas), snacks, and views of the Castillo de San Marcos and Bridge of Lions. The sunset option catches the city's golden hour; the After Dark cruise trades that for a more intimate, quieter evening on the water.Is it for me?Pick this if you want live music and drinks on the water without arranging a separate dinner or entertainment—the catamaran and the musicians handle both, and you just choose whether you want to chase the sunset or the quiet of night.
St Augustine: Sunset BYOB Cruise & Wildlife on Matanzas BayYou’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.
St Augustine Nights of Lights Boat Tour: Holiday LightsA 75-minute boat tour of St Augustine's Nights of Lights Festival departs from Vilano Beach Fishing Pier and cruises through downtown's holiday displays aboard the Pellicano, a 50-foot vessel with padded seats and live commentary. The tour runs nightly during the festival season, subject to favorable weather; if canceled, you receive an alternative date or full refund. Bring your own beverages and snacks, or enjoy complimentary bottled water on board. Maximum 56 people per departure; children must be accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Choose the sunset departure if you want the lights as they're turning on and the sky still holds color; pick the later Nights of Lights Adults Only option if you're traveling without children and want a quieter boat. The fixed 75-minute route means you see the full lit sections of downtown without the parking hunt or the walk—the reflections on the water do the work for you.
St Augustine: Sunset Boat Tour with Fort & Lighthouse ViewsYou’ll drift along St Augustine’s waterfront as sunset colors hit Castillo de San Marcos and the Lighthouse, with a local guide sharing stories and maybe even a dolphin sighting if luck’s on your side. Bring your own drinks, relax with family or friends (pets welcome too), and see downtown without any crowds — just water, light, and laughter.
St. Augustine: Sunset Party Boat Cruise with BYOB & MusicYou’ll board a lively party boat in St. Augustine for a sunset cruise along the Matanzas River with your own drinks in hand. Dance to music as you pass historic sights like Castillo de San Marcos and the lighthouse, guided by locals who know every story behind these landmarks. Expect laughter, new friends, and river breezes as day slips into night.
St. Augustine: Nights of Lights Holiday Boat Cruise & Bridge of LionsYou’ll float through St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights by boat, catching city views from under the Bridge of Lions and past Castillo de San Marcos—with local stories, carols, and time to just breathe in the river air. Bring your favorite drink and someone you love (dogs count). It’s a holiday memory that’ll stick around longer than you think.
St. Augustine: Night of Lights Party Boat Cruise BYOBYou board a party boat in St. Augustine and cruise past four lit-up landmarks—the Castillo de San Marcos, Bridge of Lions, Mission Nombre de Dios, and the Lighthouse—while dancing and drinking what you bring. A captain and first mate run the boat; coolers and ice are provided. You're 18 or older, and you're out for the atmosphere as much as the sights.Is it for me?Right for groups or couples who want to see St. Augustine's holiday lights while partying on the water, not sitting still. You're 18 or older, you bring your own drinks, and you're comfortable with music and dancing in close quarters on a moving boat.
St Augustine: Dolphin Watch Sail & Harbor Cruise with DrinksYou’ll board a catamaran near Vilano Beach for a dolphin watch sail through St Augustine’s historic harbor. Spot playful bottlenose dolphins up close, listen to stories from your local guide, and enjoy complimentary drinks as you glide past city landmarks. There’s something quietly special about seeing dolphins with new friends under that shifting Florida sky.
St Augustine Nights of Lights Cruise: Holiday water viewsFury's Nights of Lights cruises offer sweeping views of St. Augustine's holiday-lit bayfront, Bridge of Lions, and Castillo de San Marcos from the water. Choose between a 2-hour sunset tour that catches the sky's glow before the lights appear, or a 1.5-hour evening tour showcasing the full nighttime display at peak brilliance. Both include live music, complimentary drinks (beer, wine, margaritas, champagne, hot chocolate), holiday cookies, snacks, and festive 3-D glasses.Is it for me?Pick the Sunset option if you want to watch the sky's transformation alongside the lights' appearance—the two effects layered together create a different experience than the evening tour's full nighttime display. The Evening tour works better if you're arriving after dark or prefer to see the lights at their peak brilliance without waiting for sunset.
St Augustine: Boat & Golf Cart Tour with Historic LandmarksYou’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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 16 of the 16 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last up to 2 hours. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
St Augustine: Dolphin Boat Tour & Sightseeing with Local Crew is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.93 out of 5 across 422 reviews.
