Florida's hub splits cleanly between the water and the state's oldest city. On one side are Miami boat charters and manatee swims; on the other, St. Augustine history tours by foot and electric cart. Every option here holds a perfect 5.0 rating, so you're choosing purely on activity and price, which ranges from a $40 St. Augustine walking tour to a $199 private Miami charter.
If you're near Miami and want the water, the two private boat charters offer sightseeing, sunsets and sandbars, while the manatee swims (Crystal River area) are a genuine bucket-list wildlife encounter. If you're in the northeast, St. Augustine's history is the draw, cheaply on foot or comfortably by electric cart. Since every tour is 5.0-rated, let geography and the kind of day you want lead.
#1Best Boat Charter
Private Miami Boat Charter: Sightseeing, Sunset & Sandbar
A private Miami charter for sightseeing, sunset and sandbar.
★★★★★ 5.0 (676 reviews)·from $199·Flexible·Private
At $199 this private Miami boat charter is the priciest option here, rated 5.0 over 676 reviews, the largest review base in the hub. It covers sightseeing, sunset and a sandbar stop with your own private boat. For a group wanting the Miami-on-the-water experience, the volume of perfect reviews makes it the standout charter.
★★★★★“We had an excellent experience on this private boat tour of Miami..one of the true highlights of our week! We took our two boys (ages 11 and 12), and everyone loved it. The views of the Miami skyline and the incredible waterfront homes were stunning. Omar, our captain, was outstanding. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about Miami and went out of his way to make sure we had a great time. We’re so glad”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- BYOB: Bring your own drinks and snacks onboard.
- Towels
- Independent USCG-licensed Captains available for selection.
- Restroom on board
What's good
- Largest review base in the hub (676 at 5.0)
- Private boat covering sightseeing, sunset and sandbar
- Flexible, group-friendly format
What to know
- Most expensive tour here at $199
- Only worthwhile if you have a group to fill the boat
Best for: Groups wanting a private Miami water day with the best track record
Skip it if: You're solo or want a structured guided tour
#2Best Wildlife Experience
3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg
An all-inclusive small-group manatee swim, near-tops in reviews.
★★★★★ 5.0 (636 reviews)·from $85·3h 00m·Small group
At $85 this three-hour small-group manatee swim includes everything plus a free photo package, rated 5.0 over 636 reviews, the deepest track record among the wildlife tours here. Swimming with manatees is a genuine Florida bucket-list moment, and the small-group format keeps it personal. The review volume makes it the confident pick of the two manatee tours.
★★★★★“We loved this manatee tour! Our guides were fun and we learned a lot about the native fauna in the local springs. They did a great job of finding the coolest manatee named Triangle. What a good sweet boy! He kept us entertained. I highly recommend this tour.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Bottled water
- wetsuits
- defog
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
What's good
- All-inclusive with a free photo package
- Small-group format and a deep 636-review base at 5.0
- Unforgettable manatee encounter
What to know
- $85 and a three-hour commitment
- Seasonal and location-specific (Crystal River area)
Best for: Travelers wanting a bucket-list manatee swim with everything included
Skip it if: You're based around Miami or the city, not the springs
#3Great for groups
Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer
A small-group manatee snorkel with an in-water photographer.
★★★★★ 5.0 (534 reviews)·from $79·3h 00m·Small group
At $79 this three-hour small-group manatee snorkeling tour includes an in-water photographer, rated 5.0 over 534 reviews. It's slightly cheaper than the all-inclusive manatee swim and still delivers professional photos. A strong alternative if you want to save a little.
★★★★★“The experience was excellent!! The staff was so helpful and friendly. I would recommend them 100%.
The staff was knowledgeable. They took the time to make sure that we had a wonderful experience. I would definitely book again”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Wetsuits
- Professional guide
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- Coffee and hot cocoa
What's good
- In-water photographer captures the encounter
- Small-group format with a deep 534-review base at 5.0
- Cheaper than the all-inclusive manatee swim
What to know
- Not quite as all-inclusive as the $85 option
- Seasonal and springs-location specific
Best for: Wildlife lovers wanting manatee photos for a bit less
Skip it if: You want the fully all-inclusive package or you're near Miami
#4Best Value
Guided Historical Tour of St. Augustine Per Person
A guided St. Augustine history walk, the cheapest tour here.
★★★★★ 5.0 (473 reviews)·from $40·1h 00m·
At $40 this one-hour guided historical tour of St. Augustine is the most affordable option in the hub, rated 5.0 over 473 reviews, taking in Flagler College and the Cathedral Basilica. It's a quick, cheap, perfect-rated way into America's oldest city. Great value for history-minded travelers.
★★★★★“This was an amazing experience the person that gave us the tour (Karen) was so incredibly knowledgeable and spent so much time just explaining to us the various different things about Saint Augustine, and then connecting the historic to the present for us. It was genuinely one of the best tours I’ve had and she deserves a lot of credit for her ability to do these tours and her historic knowledge.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- We meet at north side of parking garage. Review special instructions*
- Include number reachable the day of the tour
- Certified Guide
- The north side faces the Renaissance Hotel across the street.
Where you'll go: St. Augustine · Historic Tours of Flagler College · National Shrine Of Our Lady Of La Leche At Mission Nombre De Dios · Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
What's good
- Cheapest tour in the hub at $40
- Perfect 5.0 over 473 reviews
- Efficient one-hour history overview
What to know
- Only an hour, so fairly brief
- On foot, and St. Augustine-specific
Best for: Budget travelers in St. Augustine wanting quick historical context
Skip it if: You want a water experience or a longer, deeper tour
#5Solid choice
Marco Island and Naples Pedal or Paddle Kayak Tour
A pedal-or-paddle kayak tour around Marco Island and Naples.
★★★★★ 5.0 (381 reviews)·from $58·2h 00m·
At $58 this two-hour kayak tour around Marco Island lets you pedal or paddle, rated 5.0 over 381 reviews. It's the pick for a gentle, active outing on Florida's southwest coast that isn't a big-boat charter. Affordable and flexible for varying fitness levels.
★★★★★“Great tour, definitely recommend! Our guide Rammel gave great instruction on the very stable, easy to use pedal kayaks, and how to navigate the mangrove waterways. His knowledge of the various creatures we encountered was excellent and fascinating. It was great having the pictures and videos he took throughout the tour too. A great value and an excellent eco tour.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Briefing before we go out.
- kayak with pedals, kayak with paddle , life jacket, pictures
Where you'll go: Marco Island
What's good
- Choice of pedal or paddle suits different abilities
- Perfect 5.0 over 381 reviews
- Affordable active outing at $58
What to know
- Southwest Florida (Marco Island) specific
- Two hours of self-powered activity
Best for: Active travelers near Naples wanting a low-key water outing
Skip it if: You want a relaxed charter or you're elsewhere in the state
#6Budget-friendly
Private Guided Historic Electric Cart Tour of St. Augustine
A private electric-cart history tour of St. Augustine.
★★★★★ 5.0 (304 reviews)·from $150·1h 30m·Private
At $150 this 90-minute private electric-cart tour of historic St. Augustine, including the Lightner Museum area, is rated 5.0 over 304 reviews. It's the comfortable, private way to see the old city without walking. You pay a big premium over the $40 walk for the private cart and comfort.
★★★★★“Diane is a Treasure!!!! Got a fabulous overview of the true history of St Augustine!! Was so nice being with just our group ! We got to ask questions & learned new facts!!! The “Love “Tree was our favorite!!! A Great Experience”
— Verified traveller
Where you'll go: Lightner Museum
What's good
- Private and comfortable electric-cart format
- Perfect 5.0 over 304 reviews
- No walking required
What to know
- $150 is far pricier than the $40 walking tour
- Just 90 minutes for the price
Best for: Travelers wanting a private, no-walking St. Augustine history tour
Skip it if: You're happy to walk and save over $100
#7Premium option
Miami Private Boat Cruise with a Captain
A captained private Miami cruise, slightly cheaper than the charter.
★★★★★ 5.0 (239 reviews)·from $195·Flexible·Private
At $195 this private Miami boat cruise with a captain is rated 5.0 over 239 reviews. It's a hair cheaper than the top charter and includes a captain, but its review base is far thinner. A fine private option if the numbers work for your group.
★★★★★“We had an unforgettable time on the Miami sunset boat tour! The views were absolutely breathtaking as the sun dipped below the skyline, and the entire experience felt magical. A huge shoutout to Luis—he did an incredible job as our guide. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and had a great time. His energy and local insights added so much to the trip. Highly rec”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Bring your own drinks and snacks onboard.
- Floating Water Mat (Only on 3 & 4 Hours Tours)
- cooler with ice
- Premium Audio System with bluetooth
What's good
- Private cruise with a captain included
- Perfect 5.0 rating
- Marginally cheaper than the top-reviewed charter
What to know
- Far fewer reviews than the leading charter (239 vs 676)
- Still $195, and group-dependent to justify
Best for: Groups wanting a captained private Miami cruise
Skip it if: You'd rather have the more-reviewed charter for a few dollars more
Before you go
- For manatees, aim for winter (about November–March) when they gather in Crystal River's warm springs — that's when the small-group swims deliver.
- The manatee tours include an in-water photographer, so you can focus on the encounter instead of juggling a camera.
- Private Miami charters ($195–$199) pay off for groups — split among several people they beat a per-person cruise on flexibility.
- In St. Augustine, pick the walking tour for history and detail, or the electric-cart tour if you'd rather cover the old town without the miles.
- These tours are scattered across Miami, the Gulf Coast and St. Augustine — plan around Florida's size and don't expect to chain them in one day.
- Spring-fed water on the manatee tours is cold year-round; confirm a wetsuit is provided and dress for a chilly entry.
How I ranked these
For Florida tours I weighted three things: what you actually get for the money (group size, what's included, special access), the rating balanced against how many reviews back it up — a 4.9 from 200 people isn't the same as a 4.6 from 15,000 — and price for what's on offer. Ratings, review counts and prices shift over time, so always check the live booking page before you pay.
Good to know
Where do the manatee swim tours actually take place?
On Florida's Gulf Coast around Crystal River / Homosassa, one of the few places in the U.S. where you can legally snorkel with wild manatees. Both manatee tours here ($79–$85) are small-group with an in-water photographer, and manatee season peaks in the cooler months when the animals gather in the warm springs.
Are the private Miami boat charters worth it over a group cruise?
The private charters ($195–$199) give you the boat, captain and route to yourselves for sightseeing, sunset and the sandbar — good for a group or special occasion. If you just want to be on the water in Miami and don't mind sharing, they're pricier than a shared cruise but far more flexible.
What's the best option in St. Augustine?
St. Augustine is the historic old-town cluster here: the guided historical walking tour ($40) covers Flagler College, the Cathedral Basilica and the Mission grounds on foot, while the private electric-cart tour ($150) covers more ground with less walking, starting near the Lightner Museum. Choose walking for depth, cart for ease.
When is the best time for the manatee tours?
Manatees crowd into Crystal River's warm springs in winter, roughly November through March, when Gulf water cools — that's peak viewing. Tours run year-round, but cooler months give the best odds of large gatherings. The water is spring-fed and chilly, so wetsuits are typically provided.
Do these tours cover both coasts of Florida?
Between them, roughly — Miami boat charters are Atlantic/southeast, the manatee tours and Marco Island/Naples kayak ($58) are Gulf/southwest, and St. Augustine is the northeast Atlantic coast. Florida is large, so these are separate regions, not stops you'd combine in a day.
Prices are "from" prices in USD and change with date and availability. Last updated August 2026.