St. Augustine Dolphin, Manatee & Sea Turtle Kayak Adventure

St. Augustine•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2 hours

Fitness Level

Light aerobic fitness; able to paddle seated for 90–120 minutes with short breaks

Overview

Paddle the Matanzas estuary with an experienced guide and come face-to-face with dolphins, manatees and sea turtles. This two-hour guided kayak tour blends easy paddling with intimate wildlife viewing and local history.

St. Augustine Dolphin, Manatee & Sea Turtle Kayak Adventure

Kayak

Wildlife

SUP

Other

Whale Watch

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

Morning light strips silver across the Matanzas estuary as you push off from soft sand and the kayak takes the first little chop. The guide—easy laugh, blue long-sleeved shirt—plots a route through mangrove fingers and wide tidal channels, and within minutes a dorsal fin cleaves the glass: dolphins curving like punctuation in the water. The estuary seems alive in a way that demands your attention; manatees rise like slow islands to breathe, sea turtles glide past like ancient coins passed between currents.

Adventure Photos

St. Augustine Dolphin, Manatee & Sea Turtle Kayak Adventure photo 1

Adventure Tips

Go early for the best wildlife sightings

Morning slack tide concentrates feeding dolphins and active manatees—arrive 30 minutes before launch to get set up and catch prime light.

Wear reef-safe sunscreen and a hat

UV reflects off water; choose mineral sunscreen to protect yourself and fragile seagrass and turtle habitats.

Bring a dry bag and secure footwear

Your phone and snacks will stay dry in a small dry bag; water shoes make the beach landing and re-entrance easier.

Respect distance rules around wildlife

Let marine animals approach on their terms—do not chase or attempt to touch manatees or turtles.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Bottlenose dolphin
West Indian manatee

History

St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental U.S. (founded 1565); its waters have long supported fishing and maritime trade.

Conservation

This estuary relies on seagrass and mangrove protection; follow slow-speed boating rules, avoid trampling seagrass, and use reef-safe sunscreen to reduce impact.