St. Augustine: Paddle Board Dolphin Adventure

Seeking a unique adventure in the heart of Florida’s historic coastal community? Look no further than the St. Augustine Paddle Board Dolphin Adventure. This guided tour through the serene waterways of Anastasia State Park promises an up-close encounter with the region’s diverse wildlife, from playful dolphins to majestic manatees. Paddle your way along unspoiled beaches and tidal marshes, while gaining personalized instruction on safety and technique. But the real highlight? The opportunity to witness nature’s wonders firsthand, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime.

This experience made our list of the 6 Best Canoe And Kayak Experiences In St Augustine Florida.

Key Points

• 1.5-hour paddleboard adventure through St. Augustine’s scenic waterways, with the chance to spot diverse wildlife like dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles.
• Small group sizes (up to 8 participants) for a personalized experience, with a tutorial on paddleboarding technique and safety before the tour.
• Potential stops on sandbars or beaches within Anastasia State Park, offering opportunities for relaxation, beachcombing, and wildlife observation.
• Comprehensive preparation guidelines, including requirements for participants and essential items to bring, to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
• Weather conditions, particularly wind speeds, are closely monitored to provide the best possible paddleboarding experience, though wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Overview of the Activity

This 1.5-hour paddleboard adventure allows visitors to experience the natural beauty of St. Augustine.

Guests will explore the area’s waterways, encountering a variety of wildlife along the way. The small group size, limited to 8 participants, ensures a personalized experience with a live tour guide.

Participants will receive a tutorial on paddleboarding technique and safety before setting out. Depending on tides and winds, the tour may include a stop on a sandbar or State Park beach.

With free cancellation and a pay-later option, this activity provides a flexible and enjoyable way to discover the area’s scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Encounter With Wildlife

What can participants expect to encounter on this paddleboard tour? The area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, rays, and a variety of marsh birds. As you glide across the tranquil waters, keep an eye out for these remarkable creatures in their natural habitats.

Wildlife	Likelihood of Sighting	Best Time to Spot
Dolphins	Year-round, but sightings not guaranteed	All seasons
Manatees	More common in warm water season	Spring to Fall
Sea Turtles	Seasonal, with higher chances in summer	Summer
Rays	Frequent sightings throughout the tour	All seasons
Marsh Birds	Abundant, variety changes by season	Spring to Fall

Paddle through the serene Anastasia State Park, surrounded by unspoiled beaches, tidal marshes, and ancient sand dunes, offering a truly immersive experience with nature.

Scenic Paddle Through Anastasia State Park

As participants glide across the tranquil waters, they’ll be treated to a scenic paddle through the breathtaking Anastasia State Park.

They’ll admire the unspoiled beaches, tidal marshes, and ancient sand dunes that line the salt run. The park’s maritime hammocks and diverse wildlife, including marsh birds, add to the serene atmosphere.

Paddlers may catch glimpses of dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and rays as they navigate the peaceful waterways.

The guided tour offers a unique opportunity to take in the natural beauty of this coastal gem, providing lasting memories of St. Augustine’s stunning scenery.

Paddleboarding Technique and Safety

Before casting off, the guide provides a thorough tutorial on proper paddleboarding technique and safety protocols. Participants learn how to stand, balance, and steer the boards, as well as paddle effectively.

The guide emphasizes the importance of wearing life jackets and maintaining control of the boards at all times. Safety precautions are reviewed, including what to do in case of emergencies or changing weather conditions.

The guide ensures everyone feels comfortable and confident before embarking on the adventure. With the right techniques and safety measures in place, paddlers can fully enjoy the serene surroundings and wildlife encounters to come.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Potential Break on Sandbar or Beach

Depending on the tides and winds, the guide may opt to stop the group on a nearby sandbar or beach within Anastasia State Park.

This potential break offers several benefits:

1. Rest and Relaxation: Participants can stretch their legs, enjoy the scenic views, and take a short break from paddling.

2. Exploration: The guide may allow time for beachcombing, wildlife observation, or simply admiring the natural surroundings.

3. Photography: The sandbar or beach provides an excellent opportunity for capturing memorable photos of the adventure.

4. Instruction: The guide can use the break to provide additional paddleboarding tips or insights about the local ecosystem.

After the break, the group will resume their journey, continuing to explore the enchanting waterways of St. Augustine.

Participant Requirements

Certain participant requirements must be met to ensure a safe and enjoyable paddle board adventure.

This tour isn’t suitable for children under 11, pregnant women, or those with heart problems, seasickness, or pre-existing medical conditions. Individuals over 250 lbs (113 kg) are also not permitted.

While dogs are allowed, no life jackets are provided for them. Participants should come prepared with a hat, change of clothes, sunscreen, water, and water shoes.

Jeans, intoxication, alcohol, and drugs are strictly prohibited. Weather conditions are also a factor, as winds over 11 mph can affect the enjoyment of the tour.

Preparation for the Adventure

Participants should gather a few essential items to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable paddle board adventure.

What to bring includes:

• A hat to protect against the sun
• A change of clothes in case you get wet
• Sunscreen to prevent sunburn
• Water to stay hydrated

It’s important to avoid wearing jeans, as they can become heavy and uncomfortable when wet.

Intoxication, alcohol, and drugs are strictly prohibited, as they can compromise safety on the water.

Participants should also check the wind speeds, as conditions over 11 mph can affect the enjoyment of the tour.

Weather Considerations

Wind speeds are a crucial consideration for this paddleboard adventure.

Beginners may find 8-10 mph winds challenging, while strong gusts over 11 mph can significantly impact the enjoyment of the tour. Participants are advised to check the wind conditions before embarking on their paddleboarding experience.

The tour operator will monitor the wind speeds and make adjustments to the route or activities as needed to ensure a safe and pleasant outing.

While sightings of dolphins and manatees are possible year-round, these encounters aren’t guaranteed, as they depend on the marine wildlife‘s presence in the area at the time of the tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 11 years old. Pregnant women, individuals with heart problems, seasickness, or over 250 lbs are also restricted from participating in the paddle board tour.

Do I Need Previous Paddleboarding Experience?

No previous paddleboarding experience is required. The tour begins with a tutorial, and the guide ensures participants are comfortable on the water before embarking on the adventure.

Can I Bring My Own Paddleboard?

Participants can’t bring their own paddleboards. The tour provides all necessary equipment, and the guide ensures everyone is comfortable on the water during the instructional session before starting the adventure.

Is There a Weight Limit for Participants?

There is a 250-lb (113 kg) weight limit for participants on the stand-up paddleboard tour. The tour isn’t suitable for individuals over this weight or those with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

Are There Any Medical Requirements for the Tour?

The tour has medical requirements – it’s not suitable for those with heart problems, seasickness, over 250 lbs, or pre-existing medical conditions. Pregnant women are also not allowed to participate.

Recap

The St. Augustine Paddle Board Dolphin Adventure offers a unique and thrilling way to explore the natural beauty of Anastasia State Park. Participants will have the chance to encounter dolphins and other wildlife while learning proper paddleboarding techniques and safety. With a small group size, this guided tour provides a personalized and unforgettable experience in the serene waterways of Florida’s historic coastline.

You can check if your dates are available here: