
Nights of Lights Boat Cruise
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 491 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Nights of Lights Boat Cruise worth booking?
Nights of Lights Boat Cruise is a 1.3-hour experience in St Augustine, United States, from $45 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 491 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (491)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Making the holidays even more memorable, Florida Water Tours offers world-class yacht charter services for the annual Nights of Lights festival in St. Augustine, Florida. Join us to view the millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere on the water, in the nation's oldest city. Departing nightly, enjoy the best seat in town to view the legendary Nights of Lights! We have a few options to choose from: 'OSPREY - Bar on Board' has a family friendly option at 7pm or adults only option at 8:30pm. 'Family Friendly - BYOB' option departs at 7:15pm. Please feel free to bring your favorite beverages aboard! 'Adults Only -Great Blue Heron' departs at 8:15pm or 9:45pm. All tours have free hot cocoa, 3D glasses to view the lights, restroom on board, free parking and window shutters for warmth! All tours are 75 minutes long. *After purchasing your tickets, please call ahead if you would like to add a Charcuterie Box or Dessert Box for 2 to your cruise experience!*
What you get
About this experience
Making the holidays even more memorable, Florida Water Tours offers world-class yacht charter services for the annual Nights of Lights festival in St. Augustine, Florida. Join us to view the millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere on the water, in the nation's oldest city. Departing nightly, enjoy the best seat in town to view the legendary Nights of Lights! We have a few options to choose from: 'OSPREY - Bar on Board' has a family friendly option at 7pm or adults only option at 8:30pm. 'Family Friendly - BYOB' option departs at 7:15pm. Please feel free to bring your favorite beverages aboard! 'Adults Only -Great Blue Heron' departs at 8:15pm or 9:45pm. All tours have free hot cocoa, 3D glasses to view the lights, restroom on board, free parking and window shutters for warmth! All tours are 75 minutes long. *After purchasing your tickets, please call ahead if you would like to add a Charcuterie Box or Dessert Box for 2 to your cruise experience!*
What's included
Included
- All necessary USCG inspected life jackets
- Complimentary hot chocolate and 3D glasses
- Free Parking
- Local and professional tour guide
- Master Captain
- USCG inspected and insured tour boat
What you'll see and do
Bridge of Lions
A beautiful view of the Bridge decorated with thousands of lights! You'll learn history and get some great photo opportunities!
Pass by without stopping
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
We will pass by the lighthouse and tell you some history while heading downtown to the bayfront all lit up with millions of lights!
Pass by without stopping
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
There is no better way to see The Old Fort than on the water while viewing the Nights of Lights from our charter!
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
St Augustine
Please view your ticket information for which vessel you booked! • This is the Main Office and Gift Shop. This is also the meting point if you are booked on the vessel OSPREY.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please view your ticket information for which vessel you booked! • This is the Main Office and Gift Shop. This is also the meting point if you are booked on the vessel OSPREY.
Options you can book
Nights of Lig- Family Friendly
BYOB: Please feel free to bring your favorite adult beverages (no glass please). Family Friendly - All Ages
Osprey - Bar on board
Bar on Board: The 7:00pm tour time is family friendly, 8:30 is Adults Only 21+
Nights of Lights - Adults Only
Bar on board: Bar is available on board for purchase of drinks. Adults Only: 8:15 & 9:45 are Adults Only 21+
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Florida Water Tours LLC
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult, children under 5 not permitted
- Minimum drinking age is 21 years
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- A 24 hour cancellation notice is required.
- No heels, flip flops or slides. Secured footwear is recommended
- Must be physically able to walk 4 minutes down to the boat, up and down a ramp to the floating dock, up 2-4 steps and over a gap to the boat.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 491 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
491 verified traveler reviews for Nights of Lights Boat Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommend the...
Highly recommend the nights of lights boat tour. It was a great tour with great crew. Saw the lights without the crowds.
via Viator
Night of Lights
Took the wife to see the Nights of Lights from a different angle for her birthday, the boat. Capt Kevin and Sarah did a wonderful job entertaining the passengers. Gave out free hot chocolate, and other beverages for sale. They had 3D glasses with snowman and trees, to help with the lights. I would highly recommend them to everyone.
via Viator
Your was better than...
Your was better than expected. Will only use them for future tours. Night of lights was better than previous years.
via Viator
July 4 fireworks cruise…don’t waste your money!
This was a horrible experience! We were in one of the lower levels because it was cold and windy. They had music playing over their load speakers that was so loud that we couldn’t hear each other talk. I asked one of the crew to have it turned down and find music that wasn’t so screeching. He asked what I wanted and since it was the 4th of July I suggested patriotic songs. That lasted during the fireworks but then went back to screeching. When we finally docked, we both had horrible headaches so just went back to our hotel.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience!
It was an amazing! The crew did a wonderful job. The hot chocolate and 3D glasses totally added to the experience.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $45 to $49
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 172
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Florida Water Tours LLC, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.8.
See everything Florida Water Tours LLC runsWhy this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Nights of Lights Boat Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Augustine.
How much does Nights of Lights Boat Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in St Augustine usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Nights of Lights Boat Cruise take?
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Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in St Augustine is not rushed.
Is Nights of Lights Boat Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 491 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in St Augustine, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Nights of Lights Boat Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Nights of Lights Boat Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Nights of Lights Boat Cruise?
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Around 172 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in St Augustine can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in St Augustine and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Nights of Lights Boat Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central St Augustine within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in St Augustine?
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St Augustine is walkable history: Castillo de San Marcos, Spanish quarter walking tours, trolley loops, lighthouse climbs and some of the best-attended ghost tours in the country. Guide storytelling quality is the main variable. On Outty we rank every St Augustine experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Medieval Torture Museum with Ghost Hunting and Tiny Art Gallery, St. Augustine's Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience, Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure of St. Augustine. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit St Augustine?
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February to May and September to November. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in St Augustine?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Nights of Lights Boat Cruise?
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Included: All necessary USCG inspected life jackets; Complimentary hot chocolate and 3D glasses; Free Parking; Local and professional tour guide; and Master Captain. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Nights of Lights Boat Cruise?
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Please view your ticket information for which vessel you booked! • This is the Main Office and Gift Shop. This is also the meting point if you are booked on the vessel OSPREY. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Nights of Lights Boat Cruise offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Nights of Lights Boat Cruise?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Nights of Lights Boat Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Nights of Lights Boat Cruise if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Nights of Lights Boat Cruise?
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Across 491 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Nights of Lights Boat Cruise?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Nights of Lig- Family Friendly, Osprey - Bar on board, Nights of Lights - Adults Only. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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