Romantic sailing excursions offered during Month of Love

The Month of Love has arrived, and romantic hearts are looking for ways to show the ones they cherish most just how much they care.

Whether seeking an ideal setting to pop the question, celebrating lifelong devotion or creating memorable moments, one of the sweetest options for local couples is to sign up for an enchanting excursion aboard one of St. Augustine Sailing’s six private luxury yachts.

With a glass of bubbly in hand, sweethearts will sail under a moonlit sky, taking in the beautiful waterways of the Nation’s Oldest City.

St. Augustine Sailing Sweetheart Packages include a variety of customizations, and each one can be enhanced with food and beverage additions available for purchase, including beer, wine, canned cocktails and specialty snacks.

And those who book for February will be able to preserve their precious memories with a mini-photoshoot aboard the boat for just $75. (This is a significant savings from the usual price of $375.) Couples arrive half an hour before sailing time, and the session with a professional photographer lasts 15 minutes. They will receive five unedited images.

Demand is high each Feb. 14 for romantic excursions, so St. Augustine Sailing has found a way to accommodate couples around that date.

“We’re offering the Sweetheart Packages for the whole month for those who want to celebrate their special occasion,” said co-owner Rose Ann Points.

The Sweetheart Packages vary in the particulars. Here’s a look at what’s available:

• Puppy Love – This intimate one-hour charter includes a bottle of bubbly and six chocolate-covered strawberries. Couples will snuggle under a cozy blanket made for two while they coast under the twinkling stars above. Starts at $595.
• Apple of My Eye – This romantic two-hour charter includes a bottle of bubbly or bottle of wine, as well as perfect pairings of sweet and savory bites. Sail together as the sun begins to set and the sea shimmers around you. Starts at $795.
• Head Over Heels – This enchanting three-hour charter includes an upscale multi-course dinner prepared by a private chef, as well a bottle of bubbly and a bottle of wine. Here’s a rare opportunity to wine and dine with your beloved while soaking in the sights along the Intracoastal Waterway and Matanzas Bay. Starts at $2,150. To see menu options click HERE.
• Sweet Dreams – This overnight stay is highly customizable. Couples will experience life aboard while taking in the breathtaking views of historic St. Augustine, including landmarks such as the Castillo de San Marcos, the Bridge of Lions, the Great Cross and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The vessel departs two hours before sunset and returns to the dock just after, where the couple will then have the yacht to themselves until morning. (Check out is 10:30 a.m.) Starts at $1,785.

St. Augustine Sailing Enterprises is a luxury adventure experience that offers a range of sailing excursions to fit a variety of occasions and budgets. Public and private charters can be customized to create a unique experience. Popular options include private chef-prepared meals, premium beer and wine upgrades, and overnight adventures.

The yachts range from 35 to 44 feet in length. The company also has a catamaran.

“So for whatever experience they are wanting, we have a vessel that would suit them,” said Points.

St. Augustine Sailing also offers sailing lessons and membership in SailTime, a club allowing members to rent a boat at franchises nationwide.

For more information, go to sta-sail.com.