St. Augustine: The Black Raven Rum Runners Pirate Show (21+)

The Black Raven Rum Runners Pirate Show turns a short Matanzas River cruise into a lively adults-only night out. The crew mixes pirate skits, sea shanties, stories, and crowd interaction, with enough room for the show to change from one sailing to the next. This is not a quiet sightseeing boat.

I like the improvised performance, which gives the crew room to play off the audience, and I like the simple mix of water views, live entertainment, and a full bar. The main drawback is comfort: seating can be hard, many seats have no back support, and the cruise can run closer to two hours than 90 minutes.

Key points before you book

• Adults-only pirate comedy: The material is made for a mature audience and may be crude or spicy.
• A real working bar onboard: Rum drinks, fruity cocktails, and other beverages are available, but drinks cost extra.
• A loose, interactive show: The crew rehearses the material but does not follow a fixed script.
• Matanzas River views: The boat gives you a different angle on St. Augustine and Anastasia Island.
• Plan carefully for parking: There is no onsite marina parking, so allow at least 45 minutes to find a space.
• Bring your driver’s license: You need photo identification for this 21-plus experience.

What the Black Raven experience is really like

This cruise works best if you treat it as a floating comedy show with scenery, not as a serious sightseeing trip with a few pirate jokes added. The Black Raven is the main attraction, and the crew keeps the action moving through songs, stories, skits, and direct interaction with people onboard.

The performance is rehearsed, but not scripted. That distinction matters. You get a basic structure, yet the pirates can respond to the crowd, riff with one another, and adjust the mood as the evening develops. One sailing may lean heavily into songs, while another may feature more audience banter or crew-to-crew antics.

The tone is aimed squarely at adults. The material can be suggestive, bawdy, and unsuitable for anyone who dislikes crude humor. If you are looking for a polished theatrical production with a family-friendly script, choose another boat trip. If you enjoy live comedy that can wander a little, this format is a good fit.

Boarding at the Municipal Marina

You meet inside the Black Raven Ship Store in the St. Augustine Municipal Marina Building. Do not cut your arrival too close. The marina has no onsite parking, and you are advised to allow at least 45 minutes to find a space before boarding.

That parking warning is one of the most important practical details here. St. Augustine can be slow to navigate, especially when you are trying to combine this cruise with dinner or another evening activity. I would build in extra time, park before the last minute, and walk to the marina without rushing.

Bring a driver’s license. Since this is a 21-plus sailing with alcohol available, identification is part of the basic preparation. The host and show operate in English.

Once aboard, choose your place before heading to the bar. This is especially useful if you want a particular view or need a seat with a little more room around you. The boat has enough space for people to move around, but seating comfort varies.

The cruise along the Matanzas River

The included cruise lasts about 90 minutes, though the full sailing can take 1.5 to 2 hours. That extra time may not sound like much, but it affects your evening plans, dinner reservations, and comfort on the benches.

The boat travels along the Matanzas River, giving you views around St. Augustine and toward Anastasia Island. This is not a narrated historical cruise, so the scenery works as a backdrop to the show rather than the main lesson. Still, being out on the water changes the feel of an evening in town. You get open views, a moving stage, and a break from the streets near the historic district.

I especially like this part for people who have already spent much of the day walking around St. Augustine. The cruise lets you rest your feet while still seeing the area from a new angle. Just remember that the show remains the focus. If your priority is detailed information about the river or local history, this boat trip may leave you wanting more.

How the pirate show unfolds

The entertainment comes in pieces rather than as one long story. Expect skits, pirate tales, songs, sea shanties, and jokes aimed at the people onboard. The crew interacts with the audience and with one another, so the atmosphere can feel more like an informal stage show than a standard boat tour.

The unscripted format is one of the best reasons to book. A fixed performance can become predictable, especially on a short cruise. Here, the performers have room to notice the crowd and keep the jokes moving in a natural direction. The tradeoff is that a loose show can be uneven. Some moments may land better than others, and the pace can depend on the energy in the boat.

The strongest praise for this cruise centers on the crew. Their comic timing, enthusiasm, and willingness to involve the audience are what make the trip work. The show is not just people in pirate clothes repeating lines. The crew creates a party atmosphere through songs, banter, and playful chaos.

You should also expect audience participation, though the supplied details do not specify that everyone must take part. If you prefer to watch quietly from the side, you can likely enjoy the show without trying to become part of every bit. Still, do not book this experience if you strongly dislike being addressed by performers.

Drinks, cocktails, and the bar line

A fully licensed bar is available onboard, with drinks sold separately from the $31 ticket. The cruise price includes the show and Matanzas River sailing, not beverages.

The bar adds to the evening-out feel. Popular choices mentioned include Rum Runners, Bahama Mamas, and fruity drinks made with coconut rum and blue curaçao. Several people found the drinks strong and enjoyable, while the bartender received particular praise for being attentive and helpful.

There is one practical catch: service can slow when many people order at once. With only one bartender, you may spend part of the performance waiting in line. My advice is to get your seat first, then consider ordering early, before the show fully gathers pace. You can also avoid missing a favorite song or skit by choosing a quieter moment to visit the bar.

The cruise is still suitable if you do not drink. One rating specifically noted that you can have fun even if you are no longer much of a drinker. The comedy, music, water views, and group energy carry the experience. Alcohol is part of the setting, not a requirement for enjoying it.

Seating and comfort on a moving pirate ship

Comfort is the clearest weakness. Some seats do not have backs, and the benches can feel hard after 90 minutes or more. If you need strong back support, this is worth considering before you book.

Bring a sweatshirt or something small that can provide padding. A light layer is also useful on the water, where the evening may feel cooler than it does on land. This is practical advice rather than a style suggestion. A little padding can make the difference between enjoying the final part of the show and wishing the cruise would dock.

The boat is not described as cramped. In fact, there is enough room to move around and enjoy the views. Still, open floor space does not solve every seating problem. The best spot may depend on what matters most to you: a view, a seat with better support, or quick access to the bar.

Is $31 a fair price?

At $31 per person, the value depends on how you use the experience. You are paying for a 90-minute to two-hour evening activity that combines a boat ride, live entertainment, and the setting of a pirate ship. For a standard river cruise, the price might feel high. For a live comedy show with a moving venue, it is more reasonable.

The ticket does not include drinks, so your final cost can rise quickly if you order several cocktails. I would treat the $31 price as admission to the show and cruise, then set a separate drink budget. That keeps the cost clear and prevents the bar from turning a moderate outing into an expensive one.

The value improves for couples looking for something different from a restaurant or standard bar. It also works well for a group, since the interactive format gives everyone a shared activity and plenty to talk about afterward. If you only want a quiet view of St. Augustine from the water, part of your ticket is paying for entertainment you may not care about.

Who will have the most fun

I would recommend the Black Raven to adults who enjoy live comedy, playful audience interaction, pirate themes, and a social atmosphere. It is particularly suited to couples marking an occasion, friends looking for a different night out, and groups willing to sing, laugh, and go along with the crew’s energy.

The cruise also makes sense for someone who has already seen St. Augustine’s main historic sights. The water gives you a change of setting, and the show adds something that a regular sightseeing loop does not.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone who dislikes crude humor, crowds around a bar, hard seating, or unpredictable performance styles. It is also not the best choice for someone seeking a quiet romantic cruise. The evening can be fun for a couple, but the mood is rowdy rather than serene.

Small details that improve the night

A few choices can make the experience noticeably better:

• Arrive very early: The lack of marina parking is a real planning issue. Allow at least 45 minutes to park.
• Bring photo ID: Keep your driver’s license with you for this 21-plus cruise.
• Secure your seat first: Then decide when to order from the bar.
• Bring padding: A sweatshirt or small cushion can help on the hard seating.
• Wear a light layer: The boat may feel cooler once it is moving.
• Keep evening plans flexible: The cruise is advertised as 90 minutes but can last up to two hours.
• Bring your camera: The crew has taken photos with people onboard without charging for them.

That last point is a nice touch. You can get a keepsake from the evening without treating the photo as another paid add-on.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your St. Augustine schedule is still changing.

Check the available start times before booking, since the cruise duration and departure schedule can affect dinner or evening plans. The experience is offered in English, and the supplied details do not list additional language options.

Should you book the Black Raven?

Book it if you want a fun, adults-only party cruise with pirate comedy, strong drink options, live songs, and a crew that can improvise with the crowd. The show is most enjoyable when you accept that it will be silly, slightly crude, and less polished than a formal theater production.

Skip it if you want a quiet sightseeing boat, detailed narration, soft theater seating, or a tightly scripted performance. For $31, the ticket is a fair deal when you value the combination of entertainment and river views, but remember to budget for drinks and allow plenty of time to park.

FAQ

Is the Black Raven Rum Runners Pirate Show adults-only?

Yes. The cruise is designed for people age 21 and older, and you should bring a driver’s license.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised duration is 90 minutes, but the cruise can last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes the live interactive pirate show and a cruise on the Matanzas River.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. The boat has a fully licensed bar, but drinks are available for purchase separately.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet inside the Black Raven Ship Store in the St. Augustine Municipal Marina Building.

Is parking available at the marina?

There is no onsite parking at the marina. Allow at least 45 minutes to find parking before the cruise.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.