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Wildlife, Water Sports, and Boat Tours in St Augustine

There are truly no end of fantastic reasons to visit America’s Oldest City. Fantastic food, fascinating historical sites, and that endless Florida sunshine are all near the top of the list. Still, our prime spot on one of the most beautiful stretches of ocean shoreline in the state means that our abundance of world-class water activities is second-to-none. Looking for a fun day out on the waves? You’ve come to the right place. Read on to check out our favorite ways to enjoy wildlife, water sports, and boat tours in St Augustine.

Swimming

Finding a great place to swim in St. Augustine is often as easy as heading east. Our abundance of gorgeous Atlantic Ocean shoreline offers endless opportunities to don your swimsuit and take the plunge. St. Augustine Beach offers soft sand, gentle waves, and plenty of sunshine. Lifeguards are on duty during peak summer months as well. Feel free to check out any of our local beaches if you and your family are interested in a shore-thing good time. 

A person swimming in the ocean

Boat Tours

You’ll find many excellent boat tours in St. Augustine — each tailored to the particular experience you’d like to have. Looking to book a fishing charter? Take a look at our handy guide for a convenient primer on where to start. Prefer a sunset cruise? St. Augustine has you covered there too. From romantic cruises to sightseeing tours, shark-fishing expeditions to alligator-hunting treks, America’s Oldest City is chock-full of aquatic adventures for everyone.

Boat steering wheel backlit by a sunset

Parasailing

Be honest — you’ve always wanted to try this exciting adventure. St. Augustine is the perfect place to cross it off your bucket list. When you’re ready to join the ranks of the daredevils, head over to St. Augustine Parasail. Their crew of parasailing pros will get you up to speed, then get you up in the air. Not only is parasailing safe, fun, and an amazing experience, but it’s great for back-home bragging rights. And your guides will make sure to get plenty of photos!

Parasailing in St Augustine

Surfing

When it comes to surfing, California gets most of the press. But don’t count out the Sunshine State for catching a wave and shooting the curl! St. Augustine’s position on Florida’s east coast offers boarders some of the most consistently carvable waves of anywhere in Florida. Due to this, the surfing community in the region has developed into a very robust and active one. So don your wetsuit, grab your board, and get out there on the waves!

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are some of the best ways to enjoy St. Augustine’s legendarily stunning scenery. Many local businesses offer both kayak and paddleboard rentals for visitors to strike out on their own to explore, while others provide guided tours guaranteed to afford the adventurous with some of the most notable can’t-miss points of interest. Wildlife fans can even opt for tours that will bring them close to manatees, sea turtles, and more!

Group kayaking in a St. Augustine forest

Wildlife Encounters

Speaking of getting up-close with nature, St. Augustine offers visitors many opportunities to enjoy wildlife encounters. In addition to the aforementioned kayak tours, Marineland Dolphin Adventure allows the whole family to get up-close with playful bottlenose dolphins. St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Zoological Park lets visitors observe these prehistoric predators in their natural habitat — and from a safe distance. And the St. Augustine Aquarium opens the door to a magical underwater world of marine life everyone can enjoy.

St. Augustine Aquarium

Plan Your Getaway

Ready to get out on the water in St. Augustine? Check out the exclusive SPECIAL OFFERS at St. George Inn and make sure you get the best rates.