FAQ

Why we're the best

Here at Kayaking St. Augustine, we take pride in our city and the natural environment that surrounds us. As a small local business, we are dedicated to preserving the beauty of our landscape and giving back to our community. Our commitment to excellence in service and equipment sets us apart as the premier kayak and paddleboard experience in St. John’s county. From your very first contact with us, whether by phone, email, or booking, we guarantee the highest level of care, attention, and dependability. We truly believe that our passion for our city, community, and environment shines through in everything we do, and we look forward to sharing that with you on your next adventure with us.

Refund Policy

To ensure a smooth and fair experience for all our customers, we kindly request a 12-hour cancellation notice for any refund or rescheduling requests. In the event that we cancel your booking due to weather or any other reason, you will not be charged. However, please note that refunds will not be issued for missed tours resulting from failure to show up on time. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

What to Bring?

  • Wet shoes or shoes that can get wet
  • Hat
  • Sun glasses
  • Sun block
  • Water and snacks
  • Water-proof camera
  • Extra change of clothes just in case
  • Happy face

can i take a cooler?

We do need to inform you that we have a strict no-alcohol policy for our tours and rentals, so we may need to check your cooler upon arrival. Thank you for understanding and for helping us maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

What should i look at before booking?

While sunny skies are important, there are many important factors to look at. One of the biggest things that is over looked is wind speed. Speeds above 12 mph can become quite difficult for inexperienced Kayakers and even more stressful for beginner paddleboarders. The most important thing for us is making sure that your experience is memorable and enjoyable. While other companies might choose to brace these conditions in order to get your booking over with, we are happy to reschedule or refund, on us, if the windspeed is too rough.

How Early Should I Arrive Before the Tour?

We highly recommend that you arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. This will give you ample time to take care of any necessary preparations such as using the restroom, applying sunscreen, and getting ready for your adventure. By arriving early, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet your guide and ask any last-minute questions or address any concerns. This way, you can start your tour feeling relaxed and fully prepared for the experience ahead.

How to Start Your Salt Run Dolphin Eco Tour: Meeting Location and Directions

Kayaking St. Augustine is located at 442 Ocean Vista Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32080. Look for us next to the boat ramp in our Kayaking St. Augustine shirts. If possible, park in the main parking area facing the water at any time, but avoid parking in the yacht club parking or trailer parking areas. If the main lot is full, you can park in the sand parking area out by the entrance Rd on the left, across the street from the Lighthouse on weekdays only. Please note that this parking is reserved for trailers only on weekends and is strictly enforced. If the main lot and sand parking areas are both full on weekends, turn right out to the road and park at or by the tennis courts.

Can i take my dog with me?

We welcome your furry friend on our adventure! However, please note that we do not provide life jackets for animals, so it’s your responsibility to bring one for your pet to ensure their safety during the trip.

Wildlife on Our Tours

For a glimpse of the wildlife you may encounter on our tours, please visit our WILDLIFE page.

Rentals & safety procedures

At Kayaking St. Augustine, safety is our number one priority. As a part of our safety procedures we do not rent kayaks or paddleboards to inexperienced beginners. While both kayaking and paddle boarding are extremely fun and healthy activities, they can also be dangerous. The Salt Run, where our rentals launch from, is a very unique and beautiful area. While the waterway is an amazing place to explore, it also has several safety hazards that should be taken seriously. If you are new to the area or just getting started, we highly recommend joining a tour before embarking anywhere on your own. We reserve the right to cancel and refund your reservation if any of our staff decide your level of experience is not suitable for an independent adventure. One of the largest safety issues commonly overlooked by paddlers visiting Florida is oyster beds. Oyster beds are incredibly sharp and numerous in St. Augustine waterways. Falling into an oyster bed is almost a guaranteed trip to the emergency room. During high tide, oyster beds are especially dangerous because they are submerged and not as easily visible. We advise staying at least 10-15 feet from the coast at all times and not getting off of either paddle board or kayak at any time. If you do choose to get off your rental, we advise making sure that you are in an area in which you may clearly see through the water in order to avoid any oysters or other dangerous hazards that may be present. The best way to do so is to be fully beached on a well-exposed area of sand such as a beach or sandbar. Another common safety hazard around St. Augustine is fishing piers and any other structure located in the water. Regulations clearly state that a safe distance must be kept from fishing piers at all times. In order to avoid getting tangled in a line, it is best to stay as far away as possible. Under no circumstance should you ever go under a fishing pier or any other structure on the water. The barnacles that typically grow around these objects are very sharp and may also cause avoidable harm. In addition, oyster beds are also prevalent in these areas. Boating traffic plays a role in most waterways we launch from. While much of the waterways contain no-wake zones, not everyone will always follow these rules, and there are also areas where wake is to be expected. Knowledge on how to respond to unexpected wake is vital, and you should not go on the water without a guide if it is something you don’t understand or feel comfortable with.

Life Jackets

We provide all necessary equipment for our tours and rentals. Our guests are required to wear lifejackets on our tours. Life jackets provided for rentals must be located on the kayak or paddle board at all times.