St Augustine: SUP Tour with Dolphins, Manatees & Sea Turtles

4.79

(1193 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“You’re probably going to get wet,” our guide joked as we tried to balance on the paddle boards near Anastasia State Park. I was honestly more worried about falling in than spotting a dolphin at first — but then a manatee surfaced right next to us, slow and gentle, like it was just checking who’d shown up this morning. The air smelled a little salty and green, if that makes sense, and you could hear these soft plops from fish jumping nearby. Li laughed when I tried to say ‘manatee’ in Spanish — I definitely butchered it.

The tour started out easy enough; the water was calm and the sun felt warm on my shoulders (bring sunscreen, trust me). Our guide pointed out some sea turtles gliding under the surface — honestly, I’d never realized how quiet it gets out there until everyone stopped paddling for a second. Just birds overhead and the sound of your own breathing. We drifted along these huge sand dunes — 30 feet high, apparently — while he told us about how the dolphins sometimes follow local fishing boats. And yeah, we actually saw a pod swimming by not far off. It felt surreal but also sort of everyday for them here.

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed after an hour standing on a board (I’m not exactly sporty), but something about moving with the tide made it easier. There were families with kids and even an older couple who paddled better than me — kind of humbling! The tour includes everything you need: paddle boards or kayaks, life vests, and a guide who actually knows their stuff without making it feel like school. I still think about that moment when the manatee’s nose broke the water right next to me; weirdly peaceful.