Moonlit Mysteries: A Night Under the Stars
Experience stargazing and haunting tales on the water
The night sky didn’t remain dark for long, nor were there signs of a ghostly apparition, making my night under the stars magical. I recently had my first experience with Florida Water Tours in St. Augustine, Florida, and it certainly won’t be my last. Upon my arrival, I eagerly looked forward to learning the haunted history of this historical town and about the very stars that light up the sky each night.
When arriving at the dock to board, my guest and I were quickly greeted by two friendly individuals. They were enthusiastic, committed and especially excited once we stated we were tour first-timers. We found our seats and anticipated hearing from two skilled guides and sipping on our complimentary beverages. Soon after, we were notified that we would hear this city’s chilling history followed by a discussion on astrology and constellations.
The boat’s engine started, and we began the tour. We didn’t see any monsters lurking the waterways luckily, although we did see St. Augustine’s very well-known monuments and illuminating nightlife surrounding it. The historical Castillo de San Marcos National Monument glistened in the moonlight, while The Bridge of Lions shined with color from car lights as we cruised by. The first spokesperson began telling us tales of mischief, mystery and gore. Those onboard were intrigued and intently listened as she went on. The stories consisted of enemies’ heads being placed on sticks, depicting the French as “dirty” and explaining certain Catholic motives. To conclude the tour’s haunted history portion, she lightened the mood with a joke, which was much appreciated by us all.
As the staff transitioned their roles, the waters’ dark waves slapped against the boat as the wind took course pushing us further. The second spokesperson began explaining the specific stars above us, and even asked what our astrological signs were. He then pointed out the constellations that were in orbit at the time, noting that stars are best seen during the latest hours of the night. In addition, he placed emphasis on Jupiter and Saturn, as we were able to see these planets with just our naked eye. The cloud’s coverage became clearer and thicker at times, although our tour maintained its title’s promise, as we could see the stars and the moon at large throughout the entire night.
As we headed back, our second tour guide answered questions from the guests onboard, such as when the sun will die and if he has ever encountered aliens before. I was pleased with my group, as we kept the tour’s volume to a low decibel and entertaining. The calming atmosphere of the warm waters is something I believe contributed to this. As we cruised through the Matanzas Bay and downtown area of this city, I pondered how breathtaking this tour must be during Nights of Lights, and I subconsciously made a note to cruise during those months, with the addition of wearing a jacket, of course.
The boat docked and we safely arrived at our meeting place. The guides took time to mention that we had contributed to their non-profit organization, Florida Water Warriors, just by being on the boat, which seemingly made us thankful to have made an impact, even one that’s small. This nighttime tour went by quickly, as my guest and I wanted to continue our adventure, despite it concluding. I would say the highlight of my experience was getting the ability to explore my town in a way I hadn’t before, even though I enjoyed every aspect of the tour.
To no surprise, I quickly booked my next tour, and now look forward to experiencing cruising at a different time of day and atmosphere. If you find interest in shocking stories and getting to know the night sky above us, Moonlit Mysteries: Stargazing & Haunted History Boat Tour is the perfect spooky activity for you!
By Kelsey Hearns