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

The Black Raven’s 21+ Rum Runners Pirate Show is part boat ride, part comedy performance, and part waterfront bar. The crew uses rehearsed material but leaves room for improvisation, so your evening can change with the crowd. Expect sea shanties, bawdy jokes, stories, and plenty of direct interaction.

I like the lively unscripted format, which keeps the show from feeling like a routine delivered at you. I also like the simple value: for $31, you get a Matanzas River cruise and 90 minutes of live entertainment, while the licensed bar lets you turn it into a more festive night out. The main drawback is practical: parking can take 45 minutes or more, and the seating may get hard after a while.

Key points to know before sailing

• Adults-only entertainment: The material is written for a mature audience and is not suited to anyone easily offended.
• A real boat ride, not just a dockside show: You cruise the Matanzas River and get views toward the water and Anastasia Island.
• Improvisation is part of the appeal: The performance is rehearsed, but the pirates interact with the crowd and adjust to the moment.
• Drinks cost extra: A fully licensed bar serves drinks onboard, including rum-based cocktails.
• Plan around parking: There is no onsite marina parking, so arrive at least 45 minutes early to find a space.
• Bring a license: You need a driver’s license, and the experience is for ages 21 and over.

Setting sail from St. Augustine Municipal Marina

You meet inside the Black Raven Ship Store, located in the St. Augustine Municipal Marina Building. This is a useful detail because the boat is not simply waiting in the middle of St. Augustine’s historic streets. Give yourself time to locate the marina, find parking, and reach the meeting point without rushing.

The marina has no onsite parking. The practical advice is simple: allow at least 45 minutes to find a space before departure. That may sound excessive, but evening parking in St. Augustine can take patience, especially when you are trying to coordinate dinner, a drink, and a timed cruise.

Once aboard, you are on the Black Raven, a pirate ship designed to make the setting part of the entertainment. You are not sitting in a theater with a pirate backdrop. The river, boat deck, crew costumes, and movement of the vessel all help create the mood before the show gets going.

I would arrive with your party already organized. Decide who will keep track of bags, who wants a drink first, and where you would like to sit. One useful tip is to find your place early, then visit the bar. The bar can get busy, and standing in line during a song or skit means missing part of the performance.

What the Matanzas River cruise adds

The cruise portion gives the evening a second purpose beyond the show. You move along the Matanzas River while the crew performs, giving you changing views rather than a fixed stage. The water setting also helps the pirate theme feel natural instead of forced.

The trip offers views around St. Augustine’s waterfront and toward Anastasia Island. If you enjoy seeing a city from the water, this is one of the better reasons to choose the experience over a standard bar or comedy show. The scenery is not the sole attraction, but it gives you fresh surroundings between songs, jokes, and bits of audience interaction.

The stated duration is 90 minutes, though the cruise can last about 1.5 to 2 hours. That extra flexibility matters if you are planning dinner afterward or trying to catch another timed attraction. I would not schedule anything immediately after the boat returns.

The river ride also changes the pace of the night. You can watch the water, listen to the crew, and take photos instead of spending the whole evening focused on a stage. One past party used the cruise as an anniversary activity, while another described it as a fun way to see the sights near Anastasia Island. That mix of sightseeing and entertainment is where the Black Raven earns much of its appeal.

The 21+ show: songs, stories, and pirate chaos

The show is built around live interaction. The pirates perform skits, tell stories, sing sea shanties, and trade jokes with one another and with the audience. Because the material is rehearsed but not fully scripted, the crew can respond to the people onboard.

That format suits you if you enjoy being part of the room rather than quietly watching a polished stage production. It also means the exact rhythm of the evening is not fixed. A strong crowd can give the crew more to work with, while a quieter group may get a somewhat different pace.

The tone is deliberately mature. The evening is not a family pirate cruise with mild jokes and child-friendly songs. It is a 21+ performance, and the material can be bawdy or provocative. If you prefer clean comedy, a calm sightseeing cruise, or a formal theatrical production, this is probably the wrong choice.

If you like playful adult humor, the mix can be a lot of fun. The crew keeps the energy moving with songs and crowd work rather than relying on one long story. Several parts of the experience can happen at once: one pirate may be performing a bit, another may be working the crowd, and the bar may be serving drinks nearby.

The best way to approach it is to expect a loose pirate comedy show, not a serious historical performance. The crew’s goal is entertainment. You are there for laughs, songs, drinks, and the pleasure of being on a pirate ship after dark.

The bar and the drinks

The Black Raven has a fully licensed bar, but drinks are not included in the $31 ticket. That keeps the base price fairly clear, but you should budget extra if you want cocktails.

The bar is an important part of the evening’s character. Rum-based drinks fit the setting, and available cocktails include choices such as Rum Runners and Bahama Mamas. You may also find fruity drinks made with coconut rum and blue curaçao, depending on what is being served.

The bar service received strong praise for both the drinks and the bartender’s care. At the same time, one practical issue is worth noting: there may be only one bartender working the cruise. During a busy sailing, the line can move slowly, and you could miss part of the performance while waiting.

My advice is to board, choose your seat, and then get your first drink early. After that, you can decide if you want another without sacrificing a skit or song. Keep the pace comfortable. The boat ride is long enough that a couple of strong drinks can affect how much of the show you remember.

The bar makes the cruise more appealing for couples, birthday groups, and friends looking for a different kind of night out. It also means the final cost depends on how much you drink. At $31 before beverages, the ticket is reasonable for a live show combined with a river cruise. A few cocktails can quickly make the evening more expensive.

Seating, comfort, and the best way to settle in

The boat has enough room for people to move around and enjoy the view, but seating comfort is not perfect. Some seats do not have backs, and hard surfaces can become uncomfortable after 90 minutes or more.

If you have a sensitive back or simply like to sit comfortably, bring a sweatshirt or small cushion for padding. A sweatshirt also works as an extra layer on the water if the evening feels cool. These are small preparations, but they can make a real difference once the cruise gets underway.

Try not to wait until the show begins to choose a place. You want a clear view of the crew, enough room to relax, and reasonable access to the bar. If you are with a large group, arrive early so you have a better chance of sitting together.

The boat is part of the fun, but it is not a luxury yacht. You should expect a working entertainment vessel with a pirate theme, not plush seating or quiet conditions. The tradeoff is that the surroundings feel more active and informal.

The crew also takes photos with people onboard, with no additional charge mentioned for those pictures. That can be a nice extra for an anniversary, birthday, or group outing. You should still bring your own phone if you want more personal photos of the river and the ship.

How the $31 price measures up

The $31 ticket covers the live interactive pirate show and the Matanzas River cruise. Drinks are extra, so the value depends on how you use the evening.

If you compare it with a standard sightseeing cruise, you are paying more for the performance and interactive comedy. If you compare it with a bar or live show on land, the boat ride adds something you cannot get from a normal night out. The combination is the main reason the price feels fair.

I would consider it good value for a couple or group that wants an activity with built-in entertainment. You receive a defined 90-minute experience, a waterfront setting, songs, stories, and direct interaction with the crew. The experience is less compelling if you do not drink, dislike adult humor, or prefer quiet sightseeing.

You do not need to drink to enjoy the show. One person specifically found it entertaining even without being much of a drinker. Still, the bar is central to the atmosphere, and many people will treat the cruise as a party as much as a performance.

The ticket also allows some flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Check the departure time when booking, since the cruise runs at scheduled starting times and the total duration can vary from 1.5 to 2 hours.

Who will enjoy the Black Raven most

I would recommend this cruise to adults who enjoy:

• Live comedy with audience participation
• Pirate songs, costumes, and playful storytelling
• Cocktails and a relaxed bar setting
• A different way to see St. Augustine’s waterfront
• Group outings, anniversaries, birthdays, and casual date nights
• Performances that leave room for improvisation

The experience is especially well suited to a group. Friends can share the jokes, sing along, and enjoy the loose party atmosphere. A couple can also have a good time, particularly if you want something more memorable than dinner and drinks.

I would be cautious if you are easily offended, want a family activity, or dislike being addressed by performers. The 21+ label is not just a technical age limit. The show is built for mature humor.

It is also not ideal for anyone who wants a guaranteed quiet seat with a back. The boat offers room to move, but some seating can become uncomfortable, and the cruise may run longer than the advertised 90 minutes.

Practical timing for your St. Augustine evening

Plan the marina as its own part of your schedule. Since you may need 45 minutes to find parking, add travel time from wherever you are staying and arrive early enough to enter the Black Raven Ship Store without a last-minute scramble.

Do not book a dinner reservation too close to the expected return time. The cruise is listed as 90 minutes but can run up to about two hours. A late dinner afterward is safer than trying to squeeze in a meal before boarding.

Bring your driver’s license. The activity is hosted in English, and the supplied information lists English as the available language. Drinks are purchased onboard rather than included in the ticket.

If you are celebrating something, tell your group to arrive together. The ship can accommodate movement, but sitting together is easier when you do not arrive in scattered groups. Also remember that the show depends partly on crowd interaction, so a willing group can add to the mood.

Should you book the Black Raven Rum Runners show?

Book it if you want a funny, rowdy, adults-only boat ride with drinks, songs, and crew members who interact directly with the crowd. The $31 price is reasonable for a 90-minute cruise and live show, especially when you treat it as a complete evening activity rather than simply a sightseeing trip.

Skip it if you want clean family entertainment, a quiet river cruise, or polished theater with fixed lines and comfortable seating. The parking hassle, extra drink cost, possible bar line, and hard seats are real considerations.

For most adults who enjoy pirate humor and do not mind a little disorder, the Black Raven offers a memorable change from St. Augustine’s standard evening attractions. Arrive early, get your seat and first drink organized, bring your license, and leave room in your schedule for the cruise to run long.

FAQ

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

Yes. This cruise is for people ages 21 and over, and the material is intended for a mature audience. It is not recommended for anyone who is easily offended.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is 90 minutes. The cruise can last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, so avoid scheduling another activity too close to the expected return time.

What is included in the ticket?

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

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available for purchase from the fully licensed bar onboard.

Where do I meet the boat?

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

Is parking available at the marina?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license. You may also want a sweatshirt or something small for padding, since some seats do not have backs and can become hard after a while.

Can I cancel my booking?

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