Florida Water Tours, St. Augustine, Florida

I saw a dolphin watching trip with Florida water tours on Groupon and it was too good a deal to miss so I snapped it up and off we went. 

I thought I had read on the website that you could take your own food and we were really hungry so we popped to the pizza place at the docks before boarding. I didn’t realise exactly how big the pizza I ordered was going to be and I didn’t realise the website actually says you can take a “small appetiser”! 

So we arrived at the boat in the picturesque harbour and boarded the ‘Osprey’ with the world’s biggest pizza and a cool bag full of drinks. They fortunately didn’t mind about the pizza, saw the funny side and even found us some plates and napkins to go with it!

The Osprey is a pontoon boat which holds up to 49 passengers and operates in the intercoastal so the water is not rough. It has a roof for shade and large open windows for good views. You can also go outside at the front of the boat. The boat had a toilet on board and a cool box full of water for anyone that wanted any.

There were comfy seats all round, so much so my daughter fell asleep for twenty minutes before she ate her pizza!

We were on a 90 minute Dolphin Tour which took us to see the wetlands and beautiful coast line. We also saw some St. Augustine sights such as the impressive Castillo de San Marcos and a giant cross called the Mission Nombre de Dios.

Although we were a bit disappointed not to see any dolphins, manatees or turtles, the trip was an interesting sightseeing tour with the staff pointing out and explaining interesting sights and keeping everyone happy.  It was a very relaxing trip which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Taking a child with an ASD on a trip with Florida Water Tours?

The boat when we went wasn’t too crowded but it can take up to 49 passengers.

The seats are comfy bench seats along the edges and middle of the boat.

The back of the boat is open with a chain across.

The boat is a bit noisy (engine noise) which may or may not be a problem so maybe take ear defenders.

There is a toilet on board and drinks available and staff don’t mind you taking food and drink.

Florida water tours is located at Camachee Cove Marina, 282 Yacht Club Dr. St. Augustine, FL 32084 Dock A-19, right next to King Fish Grill! Booking in advance is necessary. Guests must be over the age of three, no exceptions.