What is Old Florida Boat Tours?

Old Florida Boat Tours runs small eco-wildlife cruises out of Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. Tours are limited to up to 6 passengers, last about 1.5 hours, and focus on wild bottlenose dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and coastal birds—not a crowded party boat.

Where do you depart now?

As of September 1, 2026, tours meet and launch at the Michael B. Scanlan Mayport Boat Ramp, 4870 Ocean Street, Jacksonville, FL 32233, next to the Mayport Ferry.

We no longer depart out of Mavi Waterfront / 2309 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach. If you booked before the move, use the Mayport address—not Beach Blvd.

Why did you move to Mayport?

Mayport sits where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic. Out of this ramp you reach dolphin travel lanes, marsh edges, the working waterfront, Naval Station Mayport views, and Intracoastal backwaters faster than the old Beach Boulevard dock. Same intimate six-guest boat. Better jump-off point for wildlife and “Old Florida” scenery.

How do I get to the Mayport Boat Ramp?

Address for GPS: 4870 Ocean Street, Jacksonville, FL 32233 (Michael B. Scanlan Mayport Boat Ramp).

Jacksonville Beach / Ponte Vedra, follow A1A / Mayport Road north toward the ferry. Downtown or the Southside, use Heckscher Drive or the ferry corridor to Ocean Street. Give yourself extra time if the Mayport Ferry line is moving or if Naval Station traffic is heavy.

Is there parking at the Mayport Boat Ramp?

Yes. The Scanlan Mayport Boat Ramp has public parking at the launch, with overflow nearby when the ramp is busy (weekends, holidays, fishing hours). Park, note your space, and walk to the meeting point the captain texts you—usually the pavilion / dock area by the ramp. Do not block boat trailers or the launch lane.

What else is there to do in the Mayport area?

Mayport is still a working fishing village, not a theme-park beach town. Build a half day around the tour.

Eat Mayport shrimp! A fresh and local favorite! Walk to Singleton’s Seafood Shack (a no-frills dockside classic since 1969, close to the ramp) or Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant & Market a short drive down Ocean Street. Watch boats unload, order a basket, or buy fresh catch at the market to cook later.

Ride the St. Johns River Ferry. The car-and-passenger ferry has crossed this river mouth since 1874. The ride is short—about 10 minutes—and you get ship traffic, inlet views, and sometimes dolphins in the wake. It lands you on Fort George Island.

Go to the beach the local way. Huguenot Memorial Park (across the river via ferry or Heckscher Drive) is the Jacksonville-area beach where you can drive onto the sand, picnic, fish, and watch birds at the inlet. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park (Wonderwood Drive, a few minutes south) has ocean beach, a freshwater lake, trails, and picnic spots—easy with kids.

Walk the village. Ocean Street still feels like Old Florida: shrimp boats, murals in the Mayport Walls project, and a waterfront that works for a living. Coconut Key Coffee & Sundries is a simple stop for coffee before a morning tour. If you want a beer after, Mayport Brewing Company (nearby on the Mayport / Atlantic Beach side) has a taproom, games, and a laid-back crowd—often paired with pizza next door.

Monthly market. The Mayport Village Waterfront Market typically sets up on the third Saturday of the month along Ocean Street—makers, food, and the docks as the backdrop. Confirm the date if your trip falls on a weekend.

Look, don’t trespass, at the Navy. Naval Station Mayport is an active base. You will see ships and sometimes helicopters on the water and the ferry. It is not a public tour stop. Stay off base property unless you have access.

If you have more time. Fort George Island and Kingsley Plantation sit north of the ferry. Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach dining is 10–15 minutes south when you want a fuller night out.

Practical pairing: Book a morning tour, eat shrimp at Singleton’s or Safe Harbor, ride the ferry or hit Hanna / Huguenot, and you have a full First Coast day without leaving this corner of Jacksonville.

How long is the tour?

The standard cruise is approximately 1.5 hours on the water.

How many people are on the boat?

Up to 6 passengers, plus crew. Old Florida Boat Tours operates under U.S. Coast Guard rules that limit us to six paying passengers and crew. That cap is the law, not a preference. Private charters take the whole boat. Semi-private seats, when offered, still cap at six.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Kids of all ages are welcome. Young children sit with an adult. Life jackets are on board.

Children and infants are paying passengers. Under Coast Guard rules we have to ticket every person on board—including a baby—even if the boat is not full. Text 904-930-1801 ahead if you have an infant or need extra boarding time.

Does my baby count?

Yes. Babies are people too.

A baby counts as one of the six passengers allowed under Coast Guard rules. We cannot waive an infant off the manifest. This is true even when the boat is not full.

Do you see dolphins in Jacksonville / Mayport?

Yes! Atlantic bottlenose dolphins use the river mouth, the Intracoastal, and the marsh edges around Mayport year-round. This launch sits on a natural funnel between river, ocean, and creek—prime travel water. Wildlife is still wild: we do not guarantee a specific animal at a specific minute.

What else might we see?

On a typical trip guests may see:

• Bottlenose dolphins
• Manatees
• Sea turtles
• Ospreys, bald eagles, pelicans, herons, and egrets
• Shrimp boats, cargo ships, and naval vessels
• Naval Station Mayport activity and, at times, military aircraft and helicopters overhead
• The working Mayport waterfront and Huguenot Memorial Park shoreline

Is this the St. Johns River or the Intracoastal?

Both are in the mix in Mayport. You start at the river mouth—where the north-flowing St. Johns meets the Atlantic—then work Intracoastal and marsh water as conditions and wildlife dictate. That mix is why dolphins, manatees, and birds stack up here.

Are tours private?

Private charters = the boat is yours (1–6 people, including babies and children). Small-group / semi-private seats run when the schedule allows. Say which you want when you book.

How much does it cost?

Rates depend on private vs. per-person seating, date, and any current offer. Check live pricing at oldfloridaboattours.com(opens in new tab) or call/text 904-930-1801. Standard 1.5-hour tours include boat, fuel, and captain. Gratuity is not included.

Do we tip our captain?

Yes—if the trip was well run. In U.S. boat tourism and small-charter fishing, gratuity is customary and is not built into the ticket price.

A common range is 15–20% of the tour total. On a six-guest private boat, many groups leave 20%, or about $20–$40 per guest, depending on length, service, and how the day went. Cash at the dock is simplest. If the captain made the trip for kids, found animals, handled weather, or turned a regular cruise into a memory, tip on the high side. If something was off, tip what feels fair. There is no pressure and no automatic add-on.

Who is this tour for?

Families, couples, grandparents visiting Jacksonville, and small groups who want a quiet wildlife look instead of a mega-boat. Kids are welcome. You can talk with the captain the whole time.

Is it safe? Is the captain licensed?

Tours are run by experienced local captains on a small vessel appropriate for these waters. Life jackets are aboard. The captain watches wind, lightning, visibility, and ship traffic at the river mouth. Trips do not go if conditions are unsafe.

What should we bring?

The tour is only 1.5 hours, but you will be in the open. Wear sun protection and dress for wind, spray, and weather.

• Hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen
• Light long sleeves or a windbreaker for sun and breeze
• Phone or camera with a strap
• Water and whatever food or drinks you want
• Secure shoes for a boat-ramp dock

Coolers are welcome.

Can we bring food and drinks? Is alcohol allowed?

Bring what you like. Coolers are welcome. Food and beverages—including alcoholic beverages—are fine.

Drunk behavior is not. If a guest is intoxicated or becomes a safety problem on the water, the captain will return the boat to the dock and end that guest’s trip. Enjoy a drink. Do not show up drunk or get drunk on the tour.

Where is the restroom?

Use the public restrooms at the Mayport Boat Ramp before you board.

How early should we arrive?

Be at the ramp 5-10 minutes before departure. Mayport has trailer traffic and ferry congestion. Late arrivals can miss the boat. Please wait at pavilion until the captain meets your party and walks you to the boat. Do not stand on the dock prior to our arrival.

Do we need a reservation?

Yes. Book online at oldfloridaboattours.com, or call/text 904-930-1801. Same-day and last-minute requests: text us—we’ll go if the boat is free.

Can we do sunrise or sunset?

Yes. Morning and evening light is often best for photos and wildlife. Call or text 904-930-1801 for a personalized sunrise or sunset tour.

What if the weather is bad?

We typically still go out in light rain. We will not go if the captain deems the weather unsafe, uncomfortable, or outside our operational limits. If weather is a concern and you would rather hold a rain check, call or text 904-930-1801 and we will work with you.

What is the cancellation policy?

With the exception noted below, there are no refunds, because each trip requires a minimum number of passengers.

If you cancel at least 24 hours before departure, we will issue cruise credit toward a future trip.

Weather or operational exception: We typically go out if it is raining slightly. We will not go if the captain deems the weather unsafe, uncomfortable, or beyond our operational restrictions. If we cannot take you on the cruise because of dangerous weather or any other reason on our side, we will provide a full refund. If weather is a concern and you prefer a rain check instead, reach out and we will accommodate you.

Call or text 904-930-1801 as soon as your plans change. No-shows are not refunded.

Is the boat covered?

No. The boat is open so you can see in every direction—birds working the marsh, dolphins at the surface, cargo and navy traffic, and military aircraft overhead. A hard top would block that view.

The cruise is only about 1.5 hours, so plan on sun and the elements: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light layer for wind or spray.

Is the ramp wheelchair accessible?

A public boat ramp is not a ferry terminal. If anyone uses a wheelchair, walker, or needs a slower board, text 904-930-1801 before you book so we can be honest about dock height and that day’s launch.

Can we charter for a birthday, proposal, or family visit?

Yes. A private boat (max 6 people, including children and infants) is the right fit. Tell us the occasion so timing and route can match.

Do you run half-day or full-day trips?

The standard trip is about 1.5 hours. Longer private time can be discussed by phone/text when the vessel allows: 904-930-1801.

Can you drive our boat instead?

Yes. Hire our captain if you have your own vessel and want a USCG-licensed local at the helm. They are different and the 1.5-hour tour. Ask at 904-930-1801.

I still have an old confirmation that says Mavi / Beach Boulevard. Where do I go?

Go to 4870 Ocean Street, Jacksonville, FL 32233 — the Mayport Boat Ramp. Do not go to 2309 Beach Boulevard. If you are unsure, call/text 904-930-1801

How do I book?

oldfloridaboattours.com Or call/text 904-930-1801

Meet at Michael B. Scanlan Mayport Boat Ramp, 4870 Ocean Street, Jacksonville, FL 32233

Arrive 5-10 minutes early

Book every person in the group so the passenger count stays legal and every seat is paid

Still have a question?

Call or text 904-930-1801.