REVIEW · ST AUGUSTINE
Paranormal Encounter in St. Augustine
Book on Viator →Operated by A Ghostly Encounter · Bookable on Viator
St. Augustine feels different after dark. This small-group paranormal investigation is built around hands-on ghost-hunting tools and two big stops in the Nation’s Oldest City. I like that you get real time with the gear and your guide keeps the night moving without turning it into a lecture. One consideration: the “about 2 hours” timing can run closer to 2.5 depending on how the night unfolds and how much extra investigating happens.
You meet at 12 St George St at 8:30 pm, close to public transportation, and the group stays small with a max of 10 people. Expect a guided, street-level night walk—no headcount chaos, no big crowd funnel—just you, your guide, and a chance to track what the tools register while you walk through St. Augustine’s spookier corners.
In This Review
- Key highlights to look for
- St. Augustine at 8:30 pm: your meeting spot and night rhythm
- Small-group setup: a max of 10 for real ghost-hunting time
- Ghost-hunting tools training: EMF, temperature, infrared cameras, dowsing rods
- How to think about the results (without ruining the fun)
- Stop 1: the oldest wooden schoolhouse and the “walk in” feeling
- What you’ll likely do here
- Stop 2: St. Augustine Old Cemetery and the legends on dark paths
- What makes this stop valuable
- Pacing that can run a bit long (and how to handle it)
- Price and value: is $75 fair for a 2-hour ghost hunt?
- Who this paranormal encounter suits best
- Should you book this St. Augustine ghost hunt?
- FAQ
- What time does the paranormal tour start?
- Where is the meeting point for the tour?
- How long is the tour?
- How many people are in the group?
- What does the $75 price include?
- Are there any additional admissions you might need?
- What should I expect to use during the investigation?
- What happens if weather is bad?
- Are service animals allowed?
Key highlights to look for

- EMF and temperature readings during the walk so you’re not just hearing stories, you’re measuring.
- Infrared-capable cameras in the tool kit, paired with on-the-spot guidance for using them.
- The 18th-century wooden schoolhouse stop with admission included, plus time to investigate indoors.
- Old Cemetery at night where your guide ties together legends with what you’re seeing in the dark.
- Max 10-person group size so you can spread out and still get help when you need it.
- Guides who explain the gear clearly (Matt, Jim, Emmanuel, Lisa, and Chris are named in recent experiences).
St. Augustine at 8:30 pm: your meeting spot and night rhythm

This tour runs after dark, starting at 8:30 pm at 12 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084. That time matters. St. Augustine’s lanes and historic sites feel built for nighttime stories, and the timing helps you experience them the way locals and legends do—quiet, dim, and a little unnerving.
The meet-up point is also practical. It’s near public transportation, which is a big deal in a place where parking and traffic can get annoying. Once you’re together, you’ll be in a small group of up to 10, which keeps things from feeling like a ticket line with flashlights.
From there, you’ll move on foot between key locations, with your guide setting the tone: explain what you’re doing, hand out the tools, then let you try. The whole experience is designed around active participation rather than standing around to be entertained.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in St Augustine.
Small-group setup: a max of 10 for real ghost-hunting time
I love small groups on any tour, and this one uses the group size for a purpose. With a limit of 10 travelers, you’re more likely to:
- get enough time using the EMF meter and temperature meter,
- hear the guide explain your settings and what they mean,
- and spread out so you’re not bumping into each other every five minutes.
That “spread out” feeling matters in places like cemeteries and old buildings. It’s not only about comfort. It also helps you stay focused. You’re out there to notice details—sounds, shadows, temperature shifts—so you don’t want the group to create its own noise and chaos.
The guide also seems to lead with energy and friendliness. Emmanuel and Lisa are specifically called out as welcoming, while Matt is mentioned for being energetic and explaining the gadgets clearly. Jim gets praised for backing things with facts about St. Augustine. In plain terms: you get a mix of spooky storytelling and practical coaching so nobody feels lost with the equipment.
Ghost-hunting tools training: EMF, temperature, infrared cameras, dowsing rods

This is not a “just listen” haunted walk. You’ll use ghost-hunting tools during the tour, including:
- EMF meters
- temperature meters
- infrared-capable cameras
- dousing rods (used for attempts at contact)
That’s the heart of the value. You’re buying participation. The tools turn the night from a guided story into an investigation routine. Even if you’re skeptical, you can still have fun because you’re actively doing the steps: check the meter, watch for changes, try the rods, and compare what happens when you move to a new spot.
A good sign: multiple guides get mentioned for making the equipment understandable. Matt is repeatedly noted for explaining the gadgets to everyone, and Chris is mentioned for helping with using the tools. So you’re not left holding an EMF meter like it’s a random science prop.
How to think about the results (without ruining the fun)
You’ll likely hear people talk about answers, contact, or signals during the night. Try to hold onto one idea: treat the readings and odd moments as prompts for conversation, not courtroom proof. That mindset makes the experience both more relaxing and more enjoyable—because you’re looking for patterns and surprises, not miracles on demand.
Also, remember that the night includes real-world variables: your movement, the environment, and even how close you are to stone walls, wood, or open air. Using the tools in that context is part of the activity.
Stop 1: the oldest wooden schoolhouse and the “walk in” feeling

Stop 1 is the Oldest Wooden School House, an 18th-century structure where the focus shifts indoors. The tour includes admission here, and the time block is about 30 minutes.
This is where the night can feel most intense. One experience described a dark presence and a strong physical reaction almost immediately after stepping in—having to walk out to catch their breath. That’s not guaranteed, but it’s a useful heads-up if you’re sensitive to scary environments, enclosed spaces, or surprise intensity.
If you want to get the most out of this stop, here’s how I’d approach it:
- Take a minute at the entrance to settle your nerves.
- Use the tools deliberately, not randomly. Pause, note your baseline, then take readings as you move.
- Keep track of where you got the most unusual readings so you can tell your guide what you noticed.
The schoolhouse setting adds atmosphere because it’s historic and wooden. It also gives your guide a chance to connect the “why this place matters” story to what you’re doing in that moment. In other words, you’re not just haunting a building—you’re investigating a specific kind of site.
What you’ll likely do here
You’ll explore the schoolhouse grounds/area, use the EMF meter, temperature meter, and likely try the infrared-capable camera and dousing rods as directed by your guide. The goal isn’t to force a single outcome. It’s to see if anything stands out as you move through the space.
Stop 2: St. Augustine Old Cemetery and the legends on dark paths

After the schoolhouse, you’ll spend about 1 hour 30 minutes around St. Augustine’s spookiest locations, including the St. Augustine Old Cemetery area. This stretch is where the tour leans hard into story—and where your guide’s local knowledge starts driving the pace.
The cemetery stop is all about walking paths at night while your guide explains ghost legends tied to St. Augustine. The atmosphere is natural for this kind of investigation: quiet ground, old markers, and the sense that history is physically around you.
This is also where small-group spacing helps again. Cemeteries are easy to crowd, and crowding kills the mood. With up to 10 people, you can stay in your own bubble while still sharing the night with the group.
What makes this stop valuable
You’re getting two things at once:
1) Context for the legends you hear, tied to the city’s storytelling tradition, and
2) Action with tools while you’re experiencing the environment.
That combination is why people rate this tour so highly. It’s not just creepy vibes. It’s creepy vibes with something to do.
The tour ends back at the meeting point, after moving through dark alleys and hidden corners. That last stretch matters too. It keeps the night from turning into two separate disconnected events. You’re still investigating, still listening, still trying tools when the group is near new spots.
Pacing that can run a bit long (and how to handle it)

The plan is listed at about 2 hours, which lines up with roughly 30 minutes at the schoolhouse plus 1 hour 30 minutes on the cemetery/other locations.
Still, keep one expectation realistic: the schedule can stretch. One experience notes arriving with the expectation of exactly 2 hours, then running past that with an extra stop, leading to an early exit. If you have tight plans right after, I’d treat the “2 hours” as an estimate, not a promise.
My practical advice: plan for flexibility. If you’re the type who checks the clock every ten minutes, the tour may feel less satisfying than if you’re okay letting the night breathe.
Price and value: is $75 fair for a 2-hour ghost hunt?

At $75 per person, you’re paying for a guided after-dark experience that includes real gear use and at least one site admission (the schoolhouse). Here’s what makes the price feel more justified than a lot of cheaper “ghost walk” options:
- You get hands-on tools (EMF, temperature, infrared-capable cameras, plus dowsing rods).
- You’re guided in a small group (max 10), which boosts attention and reduces downtime.
- You visit multiple investigation areas, not just one quick photo stop.
- The schoolhouse admission is included, so you’re not layering surprise costs on top of the ticket.
If you compare this to entry-level haunted tours that mainly tell stories and point at locations, the difference is participation. You’re not just listening to “what could be happening.” You’re trying to measure and interact with the night.
Is it overpriced if you want pure theater? Maybe. If you’re strictly there for jump scares or a scripted storyline, you may feel like the tool-based approach is slower. But if you’re curious and want to do the “investigation” part yourself, the pricing makes more sense.
Who this paranormal encounter suits best

This tour fits best if you:
- want something more active than a traditional walking ghost tour,
- enjoy gadgets and figuring out how they work (even briefly),
- like local legend storytelling paired with real nighttime exploring,
- and prefer a smaller group vibe.
It also works well for mixed belief levels. One account mentioned going with teenage kids where some were believers and some were not, and everyone enjoyed it. That points to the real appeal: the experience can be fun without you needing to buy the whole ghost premise in advance.
If you’re someone who gets overwhelmed by scary environments, watch out. The schoolhouse can feel intense to some people, and that’s part of the appeal for others. If that sounds like you, consider pacing yourself at the door and staying grounded with the tools and instructions rather than trying to “force” a reaction.
Should you book this St. Augustine ghost hunt?
I’d book it if you want a night in St. Augustine that blends legend with hands-on investigation. The standout value is the tool time plus the small group size, which makes the whole experience feel personal instead of crowded and generic.
I’d hesitate if you need a tightly timed schedule down to the minute, or if you only want story-based haunting with no equipment involved. The tour is built around doing—EMF readings, temperature checks, camera attempts, and dowsing rods—so the best match is someone who enjoys being part of the process.
If you’re craving an after-dark St. Augustine experience that goes beyond a standard ghost walk, this is a strong option.
FAQ
What time does the paranormal tour start?
It starts at 8:30 pm.
Where is the meeting point for the tour?
The meeting point is 12 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 2 hours.
How many people are in the group?
The tour is limited to a maximum of 10 travelers.
What does the $75 price include?
It includes ghost-hunting tools (EMF meters, temperature meters, infrared-capable cameras) and admission to the Oldest School House.
Are there any additional admissions you might need?
The Oldest School House admission ticket is included. The other stop listing notes admission as free.
What should I expect to use during the investigation?
You’ll use EMF meters, temperature meters, infrared-capable cameras, and dowsing rods during the tour.
What happens if weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are allowed.













