Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights in St Augustine
St Augustine, United States

Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights

Outty Ranking 76 4.8 · 286 traveler reviews1.3 hoursFrom $43

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$43
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Outty Ranking

76/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 286 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights worth booking?

Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights is a 1.3-hour experience in St Augustine, United States, from $43 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 286 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
76 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (286)
Duration
1.3 hours
From
$43 per person

National Geographic has selected The Ancient City, one of the top-10 places in the world to see Christmas lights, for over a decade! Each year, more lights are added and the Nights of Lights Festival becomes more and mor

What you get

    About this experience

    National Geographic has selected The Ancient City, one of the top-10 places in the world to see Christmas lights, for over a decade! Each year, more lights are added and the Nights of Lights Festival becomes more and more popular. Why struggle, maybe for hours, to find a place to park and then walk to see just a few blocks of lights? Step aboard Pellicano and let us take you downtown, like you've never been downtown! The reflections on the water appear to double the number of lights in the city, while the fresh night air in the bay makes some of the best restaurants on the east coast, smell even better!

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • Professional photographer guide
    • Comfortable padded seats
    • Live commentary on board

    Not included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Gratuities
    • Sales Tax

    What you'll see and do

    1. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

      Departing from the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier at 260 Vilano Road, Red Boat's 50 foot Pellicano will transport you across Matzas Bay and into the center of beautiful downtown St Augustine, all dressed up for the holidays, in incomparable comfort. Her comfortable, padded seats ensure that you'll have the best view in town and her warm blankets, will set the mood for snuggling, as the millions of lights become larger and larger and the hustle & bustle of activity downtown comes to life. See it all, feel it all, hear it all and smell it all, from the comfort of the best seat in town.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    St Augustine

    St. Augustine traffic is unpredictable. Please plan to arrive 25 minutes prior to departure. Walk out on the pier past the big blue duck. Walk half way down the pier and on the left you will see a floating dock that will take you directly to our boat. We will check you in at the boat.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    St. Augustine traffic is unpredictable. Please plan to arrive 25 minutes prior to departure. Walk out on the pier past the big blue duck. Walk half way down the pier and on the left you will see a floating dock that will take you directly to our boat. We will check you in at the boat.

    Options you can book

    • Nights of Lights

      Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

    • Nights of Lights Adults Only

      Restroom on board Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes Wheelchair accessible

    • Nights of Lights Sunset Cruise

      Sunset: Couple an epic St Augustine sunset with your Nights of Lights experience, for the best possible evening. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes World Class Service: Hot Chocolate, cookies, candy & special viewing glasses for all!

    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 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Red Boat Tours, LLC

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • A maximum of 56 people per booking
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
    • It is always cooler on the water, so dress appropriately
    • Life preserver provided for all ages
    • Minimum drinking age is 21 years
    • Subject to favorable weather conditions, please dress appropriately
    • Wheelchair & walker accessible
    • All tours are BYOB. Complimentary bottled water is provided; otherwise, feel free to bring your own snacks and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy during your 90-minute adventure.
    • St. Augustine traffic is unpredictable. Please plan to arrive 25 minutes prior to departure. Walk out on the pier past the big blue duck. Walk half way down the pier and on the left you will see a floating dock that will take you directly to our boat. We will check you in at the boat. If the boat is not present when you arrive, be patient. We will be arriving shortly.
    • No health restrictions

    Photos

    Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights in St Augustine, photo 2Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights in St Augustine, photo 3St Augustine Nights of LightsRed Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights in St Augustine, photo 5Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights in St Augustine, photo 6Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights in St Augustine, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 286 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    286 verified traveler reviews for Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    262
    4 star
    12
    3 star
    3
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    8
    Sort
    zionr547 · August 2026

    5 Star Tour‼️

    Great experience and great guides! Perfect date night

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words and review! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with us. It was our pleasure to have you aboard, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    Sightsee29638892514 · January 2026

    Seasonal Festive Cruise

    Just my wife and me, along with a large group who booked the same trip! No problem, though, they were great! And the crew did a fantastic job on a bitterly cold night! They had cookies and Hot chocolate available and shared very interesting information along the way! Since it was still Christmas season, they handed us glasses to look at the lights, and I'll just say it gave you festive views! All in all, a great 90 minutes or so, and thank you to the crew for making our visit a little more special!

    via Tripadvisor

    dianez479 · January 2026

    Christmas Lights with Red Boat Tours

    Very fun, fantastic cookies & great knowledge! The lights were awesome it was the perfect night!

    via Tripadvisor

    Laura H · January 2026

    Awesome boat tour

    This boat tour was so worth the trip to see the famous Nights of Lights in St. Augustine. Our guide and captain were really knowledgeable. A must see adventure!

    via Tripadvisor

    Thomas_G · January 2026

    Enjoyable

    Perfect weather. Nice experience people friendly. The lights reminded me of Epcot. Interesting facts about light house and Fort

    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
    $43 to $52
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    100
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 76

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)73
    Booking momentum (14% weight)69
    Value for money (12% weight)57
    Listing quality (10% weight)83
    Local standing (8% weight)59
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Augustine.

    How much does Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights cost?

    +

    Prices start at $43 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 Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights take?

    +

    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 Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 286 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 Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights?

    +

    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 Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights?

    +

    Around 100 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?

    +

    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 Red Boat Tours - World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

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