St. Augustine Private Sunset Boat Tour
Private Trip
Cruise
Private 2hour sunset cruise for up to 6 guestsWildlife spotting includes dolphins, turtles, and coastal birdsHistoric St. Augustine sightseeing from the water
Picture this: you're cruising through the historic waters of America's oldest city as the sun starts painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. Our 2-hour St. Augustine sunset cruise takes you along Florida's most storied coastline, where centuries-old fortresses meet pristine waterways teeming with wildlife. This isn't your typical packed tourist boat - we keep it intimate with just 6 guests max, so you'll have plenty of space to move around, snap photos, and really soak in the magic of golden hour on the water. You'll glide past landmarks that have watched over these waters for over 450 years, all while keeping your eyes peeled for playful dolphins, sea turtles, and coastal birds that call this area home.
We launch from St. Augustine's marina as the afternoon light starts getting that perfect warm glow - usually around 2 hours before sunset, which gives us plenty of time to explore without rushing. The route takes us through the Matanzas Bay and along the Intracoastal Waterway, where you'll get postcard views of the Castillo de San Marcos fortress and the historic downtown skyline from angles most visitors never see. The boat moves at a comfortable cruising speed, perfect for wildlife spotting and photography. You'll want to bring your camera because the lighting during this time of day makes everything look like a professional photo shoot. The water here is typically calm in the late afternoon, making for a smooth ride even for those who might be a little nervous about seasickness. As we make our way through different channels and waterways, your captain will share stories about the area's maritime history and point out wildlife hotspots where we're most likely to encounter the local residents.
Our captains know these waters like the back of their hand - they've been running sunset cruises here for years and understand exactly where to position the boat for the best wildlife viewing and sunset photography. We use modern GPS and fish finders to locate areas where marine life congregates, especially around the grass flats and oyster bars that dolphins love to hunt in. The shallow draft of our vessel lets us get into spots that bigger tour boats can't reach, giving you access to secluded coves and protected areas where wildlife feels more comfortable. St. Augustine's unique geography creates a perfect mixing zone where the Matanzas River meets the Atlantic, creating nutrient-rich waters that attract everything from tiny baitfish to large marine mammals. The captain will adjust our route based on tides, wind conditions, and recent wildlife activity reports to give you the best possible experience. We carry all required safety equipment and maintain constant radio contact with the marina, so you can relax and focus on enjoying the cruise.
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are the stars of the show here, and St. Augustine's waters are considered one of the most reliable spots on Florida's east coast for dolphin encounters. These intelligent marine mammals are year-round residents, but they're most active during the warmer months from April through October when the fish populations are at their peak. You'll often see them hunting in small pods of 3-8 individuals, working together to corral schools of mullet and redfish in the shallow grass beds. What makes dolphin watching here special is their curiosity - they frequently approach boats and sometimes even bow ride, swimming just ahead of our vessel. Adults can reach 8-12 feet long and weigh up to 500 pounds, and you'll be amazed at how graceful they are both above and below the surface.
Loggerhead sea turtles are another highlight, especially during nesting season from May through September. These ancient mariners can live over 80 years and weigh up to 400 pounds, but despite their size, they're surprisingly gentle and often surface near boats without showing any fear. The waters around St. Augustine serve as important feeding grounds where they hunt for crabs, jellyfish, and other prey in the seagrass beds. You might spot their distinctive large heads popping up for air, sometimes staying at the surface long enough for great photos. The really special moments happen when you encounter juvenile turtles - they're much smaller and more active, often seen floating among patches of sargassum seaweed.
The bird life here is phenomenal, with brown pelicans being the most entertaining to watch. These comical birds are master divers, and you'll get a kick out of watching them perform their dramatic plunge-dives for fish, sometimes from heights of 30-40 feet. Great blue herons are the patient hunters you'll see standing motionless in the shallows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. During winter months, you might spot magnificent frigatebirds soaring overhead with their distinctive forked tails, and if you're really lucky, we sometimes see roseate spoonbills with their bright pink plumage - they're not common, but when they show up, it's always a crowd-pleaser.
This top-rated sunset cruise combines the best of St. Augustine's natural beauty with its rich maritime history, all wrapped up in an intimate small-group experience that you simply can't get on the bigger commercial vessels. The 2-hour timeframe gives you enough time to really connect with the environment without feeling rushed, and the wildlife viewing opportunities here are among the best you'll find anywhere on Florida's Atlantic coast. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, looking for that perfect romantic evening, or just want to experience St. Augustine from a completely different perspective, this cruise delivers memories that'll last long after you head home. The combination of historical landmarks, abundant marine life, and those legendary Florida sunsets creates something truly special. Don't wait too long to book - we only take 6 guests per trip, and the sunset cruises fill up fast, especially during peak season and on weekends.
Cruise through St. Augustine's historic waters aboard our beautiful 2023 Key West 239 DFS, where up to six guests can enjoy front-row seats to Florida's most stunning sunsets. This premium runabout combines fishing boat performance with family comfort, featuring a clean head, kitchen facilities, and shower for your convenience. Powered by a reliable 250 HP Yamaha engine, we'll glide smoothly past centuries-old landmarks while you spot dolphins, sea turtles, and coastal birds in their natural habitat. The spacious deck provides plenty of room to move around and capture those perfect golden hour photos, while our multimedia system sets the perfect soundtrack for your evening on the water. With GPS navigation and marine radio keeping us connected, you can simply relax and watch America's oldest city transform as the sun dips below the horizon.
St. Augustine, FL