St. Augustine Boat Tours: Sunset, Dolphin and Tall-Ship Cruises Compared
Prices & schedules checked October 17, 2026
From the water you get the Castillo de San Marcos, the Bridge of Lions and the lighthouse in one sweep — and, often, dolphins. These are the main styles of cruise and what each one is like. Visiting between Nov 21 and Jan 18? Our Nights of Lights guide covers the lit-harbor cruises.
At a glance
| Cruise | Style | Length | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Augustine Eco Tours — Dolphin, Birding & Nature | Small eco boat | 90 min | $45 |
| St. Augustine Eco Tours — Sailing | Small sailboat | See operator | $65 |
| Schooner Freedom — Sunset or Moonlight Sail | 76-ft tall ship | 1 hr 15 min | $55 + tax |
| Florida Water Tours — Sunset Cruise | Sightseeing boat (21+ or family boat) | 90 min | See live price |
| Scenic Cruise — Victory III | Classic sightseeing cruise | Not stated | $28.50 adult |
Best for wildlife
Dolphin, Birding & Nature Eco Boat Excursion
- Operator St. Augustine Eco Tours
- Length 90 minutes
- Price From $45
The operator calls this its most popular trip, built around the area’s active population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and wading birds. Booked directly; no commission.
Best for atmosphere
Schooner Freedom — Sunset & Moonlight Sails
- Ship 76-ft gaff-rigged topsail schooner, USCG-certified, family owned since 2001
- Length Sunset/Moonlight: 1 hour 15 minutes; Nights of Lights/Sunset sail: 2 hours ($75 + tax)
- Price $55 per person plus tax; refreshments and blankets included
- Departs City Docks next to the Bridge of Lions
- Note In dry dock for Coast Guard inspection until early November 2026 (operator lists both Nov 3 and Nov 4)
We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Details
Best for an easy evening
Sunset Cruise of St. Augustine (Florida Water Tours)
- Length About 90 minutes
- Boats Osprey (21+, onboard beer and wine bar) or Island Breeze (family-friendly)
- Departs Camachee Cove Marina, 107 Yacht Club Dr.; free parking
- Sights Castillo de San Marcos, Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine Lighthouse; live commentary
Compare
Other sunset options
- Adventure Boat Tours Sunset Water Tour, up to 15 people, heads into the St. Augustine Inlet
- Red Boat Tours BYOB Sunset Cruise 90 minutes on the 50-ft pontoon Pellicano from the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier floating dock (260 Vilano Rd); bring your own drinks and snacks, bottled water and live commentary included; all ages Sun/Tue/Wed, adults only Thu–Sat; no sunset cruises during Nights of Lights season (mid-November to mid-January), per the Viator listing
- Black Raven’s Tropical Sunset Cruise On GetYourGuide, from $50 (as of Oct 2026)
Best budget pick
Scenic Cruise — Victory III
- Rates Adults $28.50 · children 4–12 $12.50 · seniors 60+ $25.00
- Departures (Oct 17 – Mar 31) 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
- Departs Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez
- History Family-run sightseeing cruises since the early 1900s
Tips
- Sunset times shift a lot by season. Pick a departure that starts 30–60 minutes before sunset on your date.
- Dolphin sightings are common but never guaranteed — no honest operator promises them.
- Make a night of it. An early sunset cruise still leaves time for one of the later ghost tours downtown.
- Bring a layer. It’s cooler and windier on the water, especially November–February.
Sources
- St. Augustine Eco Tours (dolphin tour from $45; sailing from $65)
- Visit St. Augustine — Eco Tours (90-minute duration)
- Schooner Freedom (sails, prices, dry dock)
- Viator — Sunset Cruise of St. Augustine (Florida Water Tours)
- Viator — Adventure Boat Tours Sunset Water Tour
- Viator — Red Boat Tours BYOB Sunset Cruise (length, boat, departure point, BYOB, adults-only days, Nights of Lights blackout)
- GetYourGuide — Black Raven’s Tropical Sunset Cruise (from $50 as of Oct 2026)
- Scenic Cruise — Schedule & Rates