Slide off the dock at Camachee Cove and spend two private hours skimming the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers as the sun falls. Expect dolphins, lighthouse views and a mix of casual sailing instruction and waterfront history from a USCG-licensed captain.
Slide off the dock at Camachee Cove and spend two private hours skimming the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers as the sun falls. Expect dolphins, lighthouse views and a mix of casual sailing instruction and waterfront history from a USCG-licensed captain.
The yacht slides away from the white marina building and the city loosens its hold. Salt air pulls at your jacket; rigging hums softly as the captain trims a sail and the two-hour charter finds its rhythm on the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers. Behind you, the Bridge of Lions lowers its marble gaze; ahead, the St. Augustine Lighthouse pins the horizon like a slow-moving compass. Dolphins arc in the wake, curious and quick, while pastel houses on the shore track your progress with laundry, porches, and the quiet choreography of coastal life.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by St. Augustine Sailing Enterprises · St. Augustine, Florida
The yacht slides away from the white marina building and the city loosens its hold. Salt air pulls at your jacket; rigging hums softly as the captain trims a sail and the two-hour charter finds its rhythm on the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers. Behind you, the Bridge of Lions lowers its marble gaze; ahead, the St. Augustine Lighthouse pins the horizon like a slow-moving compass. Dolphins arc in the wake, curious and quick, while pastel houses on the shore track your progress with laundry, porches, and the quiet choreography of coastal life.
This is a waterborne tour of one of America’s oldest European settlements—one that reads like a coastal field guide. The Matanzas and Tolomato rivers are tidal veins shaped by Pleistocene shorelines and centuries of shipping. From the water, the Castillo de San Marcos reads as masonry and memory: a 17th-century Spanish fort built with coquina rock that still drinks the tide. The Bridge of Lions, finished in 1927, is an artifact of Florida’s boom era; the lighthouse, rebuilt and re-lit over generations, has guided vessels since the 19th century.
Culture here is maritime. Captains are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and many are local storytellers—happy to explain scalloped hull types, the timing of tide changes, or where porpoises like to feed near Porpoise Point. The sail is private and intimate: couples, families, or small groups can choose to learn to helm, help raise a line, or simply let the skipper narrate. The trip balances leisure and learning—part scenic cruise, part living history lesson.
Practical details matter. This is a two-hour private charter that departs from Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor & Marina; timing around sunset maximizes light and wildlife. Bring layers—sea breezes cool quickly after sundown—and non-marking shoes for safety on deck. Sunscreen and a hat are essential until the light softens; bring a small camera with a zoom for wildlife and long vistas. The vessels are crewed by USCG-licensed captains; bottled water is provided, and restrooms are accessible before boarding at the marina.
If you’re aiming for photos, request a route that sails close to the lighthouse and the fort; ask the captain for a slow tack near Porpoise Point when dolphins are active. For accessibility, the marina has level parking and a gentle entrance to the docks, but boarding a yacht requires stepping and balance. Weather and tides can alter the experience—operators will cancel in unsafe conditions, and flexible scheduling during shoulder seasons improves your odds for calm water.
Onboard, the mood is a choice: hands-on instruction, quiet observation, or a relaxed sunset toast. Either way, the city’s waterfront unfurls differently from the water—historic facades, marsh edges, and a living coastline that keeps nudging visitors to come back for another tide.
easy.
2 hours.
Minimal fitness required; ability to step on/off a dock and stand for portions of the sail recommended
Meet at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor & Marina—your booking confirmation includes parking and office directions; the office is the first floor of a two-story white building.
Yes; the cruise is family-friendly and stroller-accessible at the marina, but young children should be supervised on deck and life jackets may be required by crew.
Dolphins are common near Porpoise Point and Vilano Beach; you may also spot shorebirds, occasional manatees, and crabs along marsh edges.
Bottled water is provided; full catering isn’t included—check with the operator if you want to bring snacks or arrange special provisions.
Full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before departure; the operator may cancel for unsafe weather conditions and offer rescheduling or refund.
Yes—many captains welcome guests to take the helm briefly or learn about sail handling during the private charter, weather permitting.
St. Augustine’s waterfront preserves layers of history—from Spanish coquina forts to early 20th-century bridge architecture—visible best from the water’s perspective.
Operators follow no-discharge and wildlife-distance best practices; keep noise low and avoid feeding wildlife to minimize disturbance.
St. Augustine Sailing Enterprises operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.




The yacht slides away from the white marina building and the city loosens its hold. Salt air pulls at your jacket; rigging hums softly as the captain trims a sail and the two-hour charter finds its rhythm on the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers. Behind you, the Bridge of Lions lowers its marble gaze; ahead, the St. Augustine Lighthouse pins the horizon like a slow-moving compass. Dolphins arc in the wake, curious and quick, while pastel houses on the shore track your progress with laundry, porches, and the quiet choreography of coastal life.
The yacht slides away from the white marina building and the city loosens its hold. Salt air pulls at your jacket; rigging hums softly as the captain trims a sail and the two-hour charter finds its rhythm on the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers. Behind you, the Bridge of Lions lowers its marble gaze; ahead, the St. Augustine Lighthouse pins the horizon like a slow-moving compass. Dolphins arc in the wake, curious and quick, while pastel houses on the shore track your progress with laundry, porches, and the quiet choreography of coastal life.
This is a waterborne tour of one of America’s oldest European settlements—one that reads like a coastal field guide. The Matanzas and Tolomato rivers are tidal veins shaped by Pleistocene shorelines and centuries of shipping. From the water, the Castillo de San Marcos reads as masonry and memory: a 17th-century Spanish fort built with coquina rock that still drinks the tide. The Bridge of Lions, finished in 1927, is an artifact of Florida’s boom era; the lighthouse, rebuilt and re-lit over generations, has guided vessels since the 19th century.
Culture here is maritime. Captains are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and many are local storytellers—happy to explain scalloped hull types, the timing of tide changes, or where porpoises like to feed near Porpoise Point. The sail is private and intimate: couples, families, or small groups can choose to learn to helm, help raise a line, or simply let the skipper narrate. The trip balances leisure and learning—part scenic cruise, part living history lesson.
Practical details matter. This is a two-hour private charter that departs from Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor & Marina; timing around sunset maximizes light and wildlife. Bring layers—sea breezes cool quickly after sundown—and non-marking shoes for safety on deck. Sunscreen and a hat are essential until the light softens; bring a small camera with a zoom for wildlife and long vistas. The vessels are crewed by USCG-licensed captains; bottled water is provided, and restrooms are accessible before boarding at the marina.
If you’re aiming for photos, request a route that sails close to the lighthouse and the fort; ask the captain for a slow tack near Porpoise Point when dolphins are active. For accessibility, the marina has level parking and a gentle entrance to the docks, but boarding a yacht requires stepping and balance. Weather and tides can alter the experience—operators will cancel in unsafe conditions, and flexible scheduling during shoulder seasons improves your odds for calm water.
Onboard, the mood is a choice: hands-on instruction, quiet observation, or a relaxed sunset toast. Either way, the city’s waterfront unfurls differently from the water—historic facades, marsh edges, and a living coastline that keeps nudging visitors to come back for another tide.