Backstage Pass: Gazing at the lights in the waters of St. Augustine

by VICTORIA ELIZABETH

Owned and operated by the dynamic, entrepreneurial husband and wife team of Captain Tony and Jennifer Palesotti, Red Boat Tours has firmly established its reputation as the premier boat tour company of the St Augustine region, offering a myriad of exciting excursion options, including but certainly not limited to:

• Dolphin Odyssey & Sightseeing Tour: A 90-minute trip to spot dolphins, sea creatures, and birds while learning local history.

Sunset Cruises: 90-minute evening tours with options for families or adults only.
Seasonal & Holiday Cruises: Special trips for events like the 4th of July fireworks, Nights of Lights (see more details below regarding the widely acclaimed Night of Lights Tour) , Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s/Father’s Day.
Private Charters: Customizable options for birthdays, weddings, reunions, and other events.
Fishing Charters: Guided fishing trips, with Captain Guy Spear specializing in teaching kids.

Backstage Pass has been afforded the opportunity to highlight several of the aforementioned tours, and most recently, was elated for the chance to spotlight the legendary “Night of Lights” tour, which highlights the world renowned light displays that adorned the breathtaking, historic, “Oldest City” of St Augustine, Fla. This already-iconic one and a half hour tour features a ride aboard the Red Boat Tours’ signature boat, the Pellicano, complete with the same route and scenic vistas you have grown to know and love on the other Red Boat Tours.

Captain James, steadfast at the wheel and always quick with a joke, a witty quip, or an intriguing factoid regarding St Augustine’s rich and vast history leads the excursion with his unmatched skill and expertise while First Mate Victoria serves up hospitality & a helping hand to the nearly sold out boat tour as often as needed.

We savored the feeling of the cool night air on our skin as the boat meandered through the storied Intracoastal Waterway, offering a plethora of views of the city’s landmarks and opportunities to see dolphins, manatees, and other wildlife in the saltwater marshes and estuaries near the Atlantic Ocean, illuminated by the moon and city lights. The boat visited numerous landmarks, including Porpoise Point (a popular spot for fishing, launching jet skis, and of course seeing porpoise), the Castillo de San Marcos (the oldest masonry fort in the U.S., built by the Spanish starting from 1672) and past the illustrious, world famous downtown St Augustine, featuring an array of masterfully built shops, hotels, restaurants and more.

Patrons jubilantly posed for photo ops amidst the stunning backdrop of gorgeous St Augustine and friendly first mate Victoria was more than happy to assist at playing the role of photographer the whole way back to the Vilano Beach area Marina.

Special thanks to Captain Tony and the entire Red Boat Team for facilitating our visit for this spotlight feature.

WEBSITE: https://redboattours.com

PHONE NUMBER: +1 (904) 436-3566

INSTAGRAM : @redboattours