Black Raven Adventures

Black Raven Adventures has been sailing out of the St. Augustine Municipal Marina since dropping anchor for the first time in May of 2009, and the family style pirate ship experience it offers has since become a favorite among visiting families and locals celebrating a special occasion. The centerpiece of the operation is a fully outfitted pirate vessel, the Black Raven, which is approved by the United States Coast Guard to carry up to 127 passengers along the scenic Matanzas Bay and Intracoastal Waterway. Unlike a simple sightseeing cruise, Black Raven Adventures builds an entire interactive show around the voyage, with costumed crew members leading kids and adults through a lighthearted treasure hunt, complete with water cannon battles, face painting, and plenty of pirate lore woven into the narration. Younger guests are typically the stars of the show, receiving mock swords, bandanas, and the chance to help search the ship for hidden treasure before the vessel returns to dock, making it a popular choice for birthday parties and family reunions looking for something more memorable than a standard boat ride. In the evenings, the company shifts gears with tropical sunset cruises that showcase the glow of the sky over the bay and the historic skyline of downtown St. Augustine, and for guests twenty one and older there are rum runner booze cruises featuring tropical drinks and a livelier, adults only atmosphere. Seasonal specialty sailings round out the calendar, including Fourth of July fireworks viewing cruises, Halloween themed sails, Nights of Lights holiday cruises during the winter season, and New Year’s Eve celebrations on the water. The company also books private charters for weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions, outfitting the ship to suit the specific needs of the group rather than running a fixed public itinerary. Departing from the same downtown marina used by several other local tour operators, Black Raven Adventures benefits from a prime location within walking distance of the historic district, the Bridge of Lions, and the Castillo de San Marcos, making it easy for visitors to combine a cruise with a day of exploring on foot. Reviews consistently highlight the enthusiasm and showmanship of the crew, who commit fully to their pirate personas throughout each voyage, as well as the genuine sense of fun the experience creates for multi generational groups. With more than a decade and a half on the water, Black Raven Adventures has become one of the signature pirate themed experiences in a city whose maritime and buccaneer history runs centuries deep.