What are the best water activities in St. Augustine?

The best water activities in St. Augustine include parasailing, dolphin and wildlife cruises, sunset sailing charters, airboat adventures, kayaking, paddleboarding, private boat charters, fishing trips, and eco-tours through the area’s beautiful waterways and estuaries.

One of the biggest reasons people fall in love with St. Augustine isn’t just the history.

It’s the water.

We’re surrounded by incredible waterways, the Atlantic Ocean, Matanzas Bay, Salt Run, the Intracoastal Waterway, and countless creeks and estuaries filled with wildlife.

Whether you’re looking for high-flying adventure, a relaxing sunset sail, dolphin encounters, kayaking, or family-friendly boat tours, St. Augustine offers some of the best on-the-water experiences in Florida.

If you’re a water lover, these are the adventures you shouldn’t miss.

Go Parasailing Above the Coastline

If you want the best view in St. Augustine, it’s hard to beat parasailing.

Few experiences compare to soaring hundreds of feet above the Atlantic Ocean while taking in panoramic views of:

• St. Augustine Beach
• Anastasia Island
• Matanzas Bay
• The downtown skyline

One of the most popular operators is Fury Water Adventures, offering parasailing experiences that combine excitement with incredible scenery. Fury also offers sunset sails, wildlife cruises, and private charters.

For thrill-seekers, this is a must-do experience.

Dolphin & Wildlife Adventure Tours

If seeing dolphins is on your St. Augustine bucket list, you’re in luck.

The local waterways are home to resident bottlenose dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, pelicans, osprey, and countless other species.

The Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure cruise explores the Intracoastal Waterway while providing opportunities to see wildlife and iconic landmarks including the Bridge of Lions, Castillo de San Marcos, and St. Augustine Lighthouse.

Families absolutely love this tour.

And honestly, I’ve never taken visitors on a dolphin cruise who didn’t leave smiling.

Dolphin, Manatee & Sea Turtle Adventure

For wildlife lovers, this is one of the most memorable experiences available.

These tours focus on Florida’s incredible coastal ecosystem and frequently provide opportunities to encounter:

• Dolphins
• Manatees
• Sea turtles
• Shorebirds
• Native marine life

There’s something magical about seeing these animals in their natural habitat.

Take a Historic Boat Tour of Matanzas Bay

One of my favorite ways to introduce visitors to St. Augustine is from the water.

A historic sightseeing cruise gives you a completely different perspective of:

• Castillo de San Marcos
• Bridge of Lions
• Downtown St. Augustine
• The Bayfront
• The Lighthouse

You’ll learn local history while enjoying beautiful waterfront views.

Many visitors tell me they understand the city’s layout much better after seeing it from the water.

Book a Private Sunset Charter

If you’re celebrating:

• An anniversary
• A honeymoon
• A proposal
• A special getaway,

a private sunset charter may become the highlight of your trip.

Watching the sun disappear behind downtown St. Augustine while cruising Matanzas Bay is unforgettable.

The city lights begin reflecting on the water as the sky transforms into shades of orange, pink, and purple.

It’s one of the most romantic experiences available.

Private Day Sailing Adventure

For visitors who prefer a more relaxed experience, private sailing charters offer a peaceful way to explore the coastline.

Feel the ocean breeze.

Watch dolphins play alongside the boat.

Take in unobstructed views of St. Augustine’s waterfront.

This is the type of experience that reminds you why people love being on the water.

Explore the Backwaters by Kayak

Some of the best adventures happen away from the crowds.

Kayaking allows you to explore:

• Salt Run
• Matanzas River
• Intracoastal waterways
• Hidden estuaries

You’ll often encounter wildlife that larger boats simply can’t access.

Paddleboarding is another excellent option for visitors looking for a more active experience.

Guided Paddle & Photo Experience at Weeki Wachee Springs

While it’s located about two and a half hours south of St. Augustine, this is one of the most unique water adventures in Florida and well worth considering if you’re planning a longer Florida vacation.

The Guided Paddle & Photo Experience at Weeki Wachee Springs takes guests through some of the clearest water you’ll ever see. As you paddle through the spring-fed river, you’ll glide past crystal-clear water, lush vegetation, and incredible wildlife while a guide captures professional photos of your adventure. The experience is designed to combine outdoor exploration with stunning photography, allowing you to focus on enjoying the scenery while your memories are professionally documented.

Highlights include:

• Crystal-clear spring water
• Guided paddle experience
• Professional photos included
• Wildlife viewing opportunities
• Scenic Florida landscapes
• Small-group atmosphere

The turquoise water at Weeki Wachee is famous throughout Florida and offers an experience that feels completely different from the saltwater adventures around St. Augustine.

Why Water Lovers Will Love It

Many visitors come to St. Augustine for the ocean, dolphins, and sailing adventures.

Weeki Wachee offers the opposite experience.

Instead of waves and coastal waterways, you’ll find pristine freshwater springs with incredible visibility and peaceful paddling conditions that showcase another side of Florida’s natural beauty.

Local Tip

If you’re planning a Florida road trip before or after your St. Augustine vacation, Weeki Wachee makes an excellent day trip. Combine the paddle experience with a visit to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, famous for its crystal-clear springs, wildlife, river adventures, and legendary mermaid shows.

Airboat Adventure Through Old Florida

Looking for something completely different?

An airboat tour offers a thrilling ride through the freshwater tributaries of the St. Johns River where you’ll search for alligators, manatees, birds, and other native wildlife while learning about the area’s history.

This feels more like an Old Florida adventure than a traditional sightseeing tour.

It’s fast, exciting, and unforgettable.

Go Fishing in St. Augustine

The waters around St. Augustine offer excellent opportunities for:

• Inshore fishing
• Offshore fishing
• Redfish
• Trout
• Flounder
• Tarpon

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-timer, local charter captains can put you on fish while showing you some of the area’s most beautiful waterways.

Experience a Sunset Cruise

A sunset cruise is one of the most popular water activities in St. Augustine for good reason.

The views are incredible.

The atmosphere is relaxing.

And there’s something special about watching the city’s skyline glow as daylight fades.

Couples, families, and first-time visitors all love this experience.

Snorkeling & Sandbar Adventure at Anna Maria Island

If you’re planning a longer Florida vacation and don’t mind a road trip, the 4-Hour Anna Maria Island Snorkeling & Sandbar Tour delivers the kind of crystal-clear Gulf Coast experience most people imagine when they think of paradise.

This adventure takes visitors to beautiful sandbars and shallow-water snorkeling locations around Anna Maria Island where you can spend the day swimming, shelling, relaxing, and exploring some of Florida’s most beautiful coastal waters. Many guests encounter dolphins, seabirds, fish, manatees, and other marine life along the way.

Highlights Include

Kids love searching for shells, spotting marine life, and jumping into shallow crystal-clear water.

• Snorkeling in clear Gulf waters
• Visiting secluded sandbars
• Shelling opportunities
• Dolphin sightings
• Relaxing on pristine beaches
• Wildlife viewing
• Family-friendly adventure

Unlike the Atlantic Ocean experiences around St. Augustine, Anna Maria Island offers calm Gulf waters and expansive sandbars that create a completely different Florida boating experience.

Why Families Love It

Parents love the relaxed pace, beautiful scenery, and opportunity to experience some of Florida’s most stunning coastal environments without the crowds often found at larger beaches.

Why Water Lovers Love It

One of the best parts of this experience is the variety.

In a single outing, you may:

• Snorkel
• Visit sandbars
• Search for shells
• Spot dolphins
• Swim in turquoise water
• Relax on remote beaches

It’s the type of day that reminds you why Florida is one of the world’s top water adventure destinations.

Local Tip

Bring a waterproof phone case and polarized sunglasses. The water around Anna Maria Island is often incredibly clear, and you’ll want to capture photos of the wildlife, sandbars, and turquoise water throughout the trip.

Why Water Lovers Love St. Augustine

What makes St. Augustine unique is the variety.

You can:

• Parasail over the Atlantic
• Sail through Matanzas Bay
• Spot dolphins
• Explore estuaries
• Kayak hidden waterways
• Cruise at sunset
• Fish offshore
• Ride an airboat through Old Florida
• Paddle board on crystal clear waters
• Go snorkeling

All in the same destination.

Few places offer that kind of diversity.

Local Insider Tip

If you’re visiting for several days, don’t limit yourself to just one water experience.

Choose one adventure tour and one relaxing cruise.

For example:

Morning:

• Dolphin Tour

Evening:

• Sunset Sail

That combination gives you two completely different perspectives of St. Augustine’s beautiful waterways.

Final Thoughts

St. Augustine may be America’s oldest city, but some of its best experiences happen on the water.

Whether you’re soaring high above the coastline, watching dolphins swim beside your boat, exploring hidden estuaries by kayak, or enjoying a sunset sail through Matanzas Bay, you’ll quickly discover why water lovers return here again and again.

If being on the water is your happy place, St. Augustine won’t disappoint.

Ready to experience St. Augustine like a local?

Whether you’re looking for a few personalized recommendations, help building the perfect itinerary, or someone to handle the details for you, our travel specialists are here to help.

Click below to tell us a little about your trip and what kind of assistance you’re looking for. When you continue to our planning form, you may see the name of one of our travel specialists as part of the planning process through our partnership with Fora Travel.

Our team reviews every request personally and typically responds within 24–48 hours with recommendations and next steps tailored to your trip.