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Paddle Salt Run by starlight and hear St. Augustine’s haunted history from the water. This guided evening tour from Anastasia Watersports mixes coastal ecology, lighthouse views, and post-paddle s’mores for a memorable night.
Paddle Salt Run by starlight and hear St. Augustine’s haunted history from the water. This guided evening tour from Anastasia Watersports mixes coastal ecology, lighthouse views, and post-paddle s’mores for a memorable night.
Book with Anastasia Watersports
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Anastasia Watersports · St. Augustine, FL
Salt Run Ghost Paddle delivers a different kind of night on the water in Anastasia State Park, just east of downtown St. Augustine. Launching from Anastasia Watersports -- 300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, this one- to two-hour guided kayak tour turns coastal history into something quietly unsettling under the stars. Salt Run is a sheltered tidal channel lined with mangrove roots, salt-marsh grass, and low dunes; the route brings paddlers close to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, whose steady beam punctuates the dark and anchors several of the evening’s tales.
Your guide steers by feel as much as sight, stopping at shadowed bends to tell a mix of documented local history and invented ghost stories that sound more plausible in the hush of night. Expect salt-slick wood pilings, sudden bird calls, and the soft scrape of oars—every small noise becomes part of the performance. The tour balances safe, calm paddling with theatrical storytelling; life jackets are provided, groups are kept small, and guides make final boat choices at check-in to match conditions and experience levels.
There’s light recreation here—paddling is accessible for ages five and up and suitable for families and first-timers willing to sit through a mostly flatwater route—but the effect is cinematic. The lighthouse silhouette, the black water reflecting a thin moon, and the line of mangrove shadows make for an atmosphere you won’t get on a daytime rental. After the return to shore participants gather around a small fire for s’mores and one last story, a close-out that turns nervous laughter into shared memory.
Why book this trip? It’s an intimate way to experience Anastasia State Park after hours, to see familiar coastlines reframed, and to learn St. Augustine history through sensory detail rather than a lecture. The guide’s blend of factual notes and spooky embellishment gives you permission to suspend doubt and enjoy the moment. Practical notes: meet at Anastasia Watersports for a 7:30 PM launch during scheduled nights; bring a light, dress for evening tide and temperature changes, and expect to get a little wet. The operator enforces park entry fees, age and waiver rules, and reserves the right to cancel for unsafe conditions. For anyone curious about coastal ecology, maritime history, or storytelling that feels rooted to place, Salt Run Ghost Paddle is an efficient, memorable evening on the water.
Guides accommodate groups up to twenty and require waivers; participants under eighteen must be accompanied by a guardian. The experience opens a different door onto St. Augustine’s coastal landscape, where ecology and folklore meet and the ordinary shoreline becomes stagecraft for a story told in paddles and light. Book early on event nights—spaces move fast after dark every season.
Participants must be at least 5 years old; guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The experience runs about 1–2 hours with typical launches around 7:30 PM on scheduled dates—check your booking for exact times.
Yes, life jackets are required and provided for all participants; guides will ensure proper fit at check-in.
Anastasia State Park entry fees are required and are not included with the paddle unless otherwise stated by the operator.
The operator reserves the right to postpone or cancel trips for unsafe conditions; cancellations by the company are fully refunded or credited.
Yes, but secure electronics in a dry bag and use a wrist or chest strap to prevent loss in the dark.
Anastasia Watersports operates professional paddlecraft rentals and guided excursions focused on Salt Run and the waters around Anastasia State Park. The business offers single and double kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards (SUP) for one-, two-, and three-hour rentals, with half-day and full-day beach rental options available through the Island Beach Shop and Grill. Guided experiences include wildlife-focused Salt Run tours led by knowledgeable guides, Dawn on the Dunes sunrise paddles, Paint & Paddle art sessions that combine a short guided paddle with canvas painting, and family-oriented events such as Paddle, Picnic, and Play. Equipment options list 1-hour, 2-hour, and 3-hour canoe and kayak rentals alongside single and double kayak choices to match groups of every size. Safety, accessibility, and low-impact recreation are emphasized. Comfortable seating, beginner-friendly instruction, life jackets, and pre-launch briefings make trips approachable for first-time paddlers and families. The Sea Turtle pavilion provides an outdoor event space for up to 150 guests with picnic tables, grills, and direct beach access for celebrations and group gatherings. Anastasia Watersports supports responsible enjoyment of local ecosystems by encouraging sunscreen use, wildlife respect, and guided education about the area’s plants and animals. For visitors seeking dependable rentals, guided wildlife viewing, creative outdoor events, or a relaxed day on Salt Run, Anastasia Watersports provides a broad selection of experiences tailored to different skill levels and group needs.
Book with Anastasia Watersports