REVIEW · ST AUGUSTINE GHOST TOURS

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews 2 hours From $70 Operated by After Dark Investigations · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Ghost stories come alive after sunset. This two-hour St. Augustine experience gives you hands-on time with paranormal tools while an investigator leads you through two locations tied to reported supernatural activity. You do not simply hear spooky tales from the sidewalk. You learn how to use spirit boxes, K2 meters, Ovilus devices, REM pods, and EVP recorders yourself.

I especially like the practical equipment training and the way the tour connects old St. Augustine with Spanish, British, and modern ghost stories. I also like that the guide drives the experience beyond campfire entertainment, explaining the methods used by television ghost hunters. The main drawback is logistical: you must drive your own vehicle between the two locations, so this is not a single walking tour.

For a first paranormal investigation, this looks like a friendly place to begin. Guide Grayson has been praised for explaining the equipment clearly and sharing plenty of detail about each location. At $70 per person, the value depends on your interest in active investigation, not just spooky storytelling.

Key points to know before you book

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour - Key points to know before you book

  • Two separate investigation sites: Expect one hour at each location, with your own vehicle needed between them.
  • Real investigation equipment: You can handle spirit boxes, K2 meters, Ovilus devices, REM pods, and EVP voice recorders.
  • A strong first experience: Grayson has been praised for making the tools understandable for people new to ghost hunting.
  • St. Augustine after dark: The tour links paranormal claims with the city’s Spanish, British, and modern past.
  • Two hours for $70: The price is fair if you want guided equipment use, rather than a short ghost walk with only stories.
  • Plan for outdoor conditions: Bring insect repellent, and leave alcohol and drugs at home.

Why this tour is different from a standard ghost walk

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour - Why this tour is different from a standard ghost walk

Many haunted-city tours ask you to listen, follow, and imagine. This one asks you to participate. That difference matters if you have watched paranormal programs and wondered how the devices actually work.

Your guide introduces the tools used during the investigation and shows you how to operate them. A K2 meter can signal changes in electromagnetic fields. A spirit box scans radio frequencies, while an EVP recorder is used to capture possible electronic voice phenomena. The Ovilus and REM pod add more equipment to the evening, giving you several ways to test what you think you are sensing.

The devices do not guarantee proof of ghosts. That is an important point. They can produce lights, sounds, or word-like responses, but interpreting those signals takes care. I appreciate that the tour focuses on techniques and observation rather than promising a dramatic supernatural encounter.

You will also hear stories connected to the places you visit. The material draws on St. Augustine’s long Spanish and British past, along with more recent ghost reports. The history gives the evening some substance, so you are not just moving from one dark spot to another with a gadget in your hand.

Starting at 442 Ocean Vista Ave

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour - Starting at 442 Ocean Vista Ave

The tour begins at 442 Ocean Vista Ave. From there, your guide sets the tone, explains the plan, and introduces the equipment you will use during the night.

You should arrive ready to pay attention. With several devices in play, it helps to listen closely at the beginning so you know what each meter or recorder is meant to detect. If you are new to paranormal investigation, do not worry about knowing the terminology beforehand. The guide’s role is to teach you the basic process as you go.

The starting point also matters because this is not a hop-on, hop-off experience. You are expected to follow the guide in your own vehicle as the group moves to the next location. Make sure you have a reliable car, enough fuel, and a phone or navigation system you can use without losing track of the group.

Transportation is not included in the $70 price. That is the largest practical issue to settle before booking. If you planned to explore St. Augustine without a car, this particular tour may require more planning than a central walking route.

The first one-hour investigation

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour - The first one-hour investigation

The first stop occupies about an hour. The exact location and activity can vary with the guide’s plan, but you can expect a guided investigation at a site known for paranormal activity.

This is where the hands-on format becomes useful. Instead of merely hearing that a place is haunted, you can watch the readings on a K2 meter, use a spirit box, or try an EVP recording session. The guide can explain how to hold the equipment, when to ask questions, and how to separate a meaningful response from ordinary noise or electronic interference.

The first stop is also your chance to get comfortable. A short explanation may sound simple, but using several devices in a dark setting can feel more complicated than it looks on television. You may need to listen, watch a meter, remember the guide’s instructions, and keep track of what happens around you.

The best approach is to stay curious without forcing a result. If nothing unusual happens, the investigation can still be worthwhile because you learn how paranormal teams work. If a device reacts or a sound appears on a recorder, you will have a clearer idea of how the observation was made.

The second one-hour location

After the first investigation, you drive to a second site and spend another hour there. This creates a useful contrast between locations, since you are not relying on one setting or one piece of equipment.

The second stop gives the guide more room to share stories about the area and its reported activity. The supernatural accounts are tied to different periods of St. Augustine’s past, including Spanish conquistadors, British colonists, and modern figures. That mix helps you see how ghost traditions change over time and how old buildings, local legends, and personal accounts can overlap.

I like the two-stop structure because it keeps the evening moving. One location for two full hours could become repetitive, especially if the equipment produces few results. The tradeoff is that driving takes time and breaks the atmosphere. You will need to leave one site, get back in your car, and follow the guide instead of walking through a continuous historic district.

As with the first stop, the guide’s explanations are central to the experience. Grayson has been praised for knowing the equipment and the sites well, and for making the evening accessible to someone who had never hunted for ghosts before. If he is leading your departure, you can expect a teaching style rather than a performance built only around scares.

Same streets, an entirely different kind of scare:

What the equipment adds to the night

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour - What the equipment adds to the night

The large equipment selection is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. You are not limited to one flashing meter passed around the group. The experience includes a spirit box, K2 meters, an Ovilus, REM pods, EVP voice recorders, and other paranormal tools.

Each item gives you a different way to engage with the investigation:

  • K2 meters: These are handheld meters with lights that indicate electromagnetic changes.
  • Spirit boxes: These scan radio frequencies and are used during attempts to receive possible responses.
  • Ovilus devices: These are electronic tools associated with word-based paranormal investigations.
  • REM pods: These can signal changes around the device and are often used as stationary investigation tools.
  • EVP recorders: These let you record audio for possible voices or sounds that may not be heard at the time.

You should treat the equipment as part of the activity, not as guaranteed evidence. A light or word does not explain itself. Your guide can help you note what happened, when it happened, and what other causes might be possible.

That careful approach improves the experience. You can enjoy the eerie setting while still asking sensible questions. For me, the value comes from learning the process and testing the tools, not from being promised a ghost on demand.

The history behind the haunting

St. Augustine gives the tour a strong setting because its story reaches across several eras. The evening connects reported spirits with Spanish conquistadors, British colonists, and modern phantoms. Those layers give the stories more variety than a single haunted-house theme.

You will hear history as part of the supernatural narrative. Architecture, food, culture, and old city traditions help explain why St. Augustine has such a strong identity after dark. The tour is not presented as a formal history lesson, but the guide’s stories can add context to places you may have seen in daylight.

I would not book this experience as your main history tour. The focus is paranormal investigation, and the locations are chosen for their reported activity. Still, if you enjoy learning about the past through legends and local stories, the combination works well.

The best way to approach it is to let the history set the scene while keeping an open but sensible mind. You can enjoy the mystery without needing every tale to be factual.

Is $70 per person a fair price?

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour - Is $70 per person a fair price?

At $70 per person, this tour costs more than a simple evening ghost walk. The comparison is not quite fair, though, because you are paying for a guide, two hours of instruction, two investigation locations, and access to a wide range of equipment.

The price makes the most sense if you already enjoy paranormal shows or want to try ghost hunting for the first time. You receive more than a narrated stroll. You get time to handle tools, ask questions, and take part in the investigation.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick introduction to St. Augustine’s haunted stories. In that case, a less expensive storytelling tour might suit you better. This experience is built around participation, and you should want to use the equipment rather than simply watch the guide.

The small number of published ratings is worth keeping in mind when you make your decision. The available feedback is very positive, with particular praise for Grayson’s clear explanations, friendly approach, and command of the locations. That is encouraging, but your guide and group experience can vary.

Practical planning for the evening

St. Augustine: Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour - Practical planning for the evening

Bring insect repellent. You will be outside at night, and the activity specifically recommends it. Comfortable clothing and shoes are sensible, though the provided details do not specify a dress code.

Bring your own vehicle and plan to follow the guide between sites. Transportation between locations is not included, and this is not an optional detail. If you arrive in St. Augustine without a car, confirm your transport plan before reserving.

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. It is wheelchair accessible, which makes it more approachable for people who need an accessible experience. You should still confirm any personal mobility needs when booking, since the tour visits more than one location.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The evening depends on attention, listening, and safe handling of equipment, so staying clear-headed is part of respecting the activity and the other people in your group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your St. Augustine schedule.

Who will enjoy this investigation most?

I would recommend this tour to first-time ghost hunters, paranormal fans, and anyone who wants more than a scripted haunted walk. The beginner-friendly instruction is a major strength. Grayson’s approach has been praised for making the equipment understandable and for explaining the locations in detail.

It also suits couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy trying something unusual at night. The tour gives you a shared activity, and the devices create natural talking points even when nothing strange happens.

Families should consider the atmosphere and the specific interests of their children before booking. The activity visits locations associated with spirits and paranormal reports, but no age requirement is provided, so check the booking details if you are bringing minors.

I would not choose it if you dislike driving between stops, want a tightly packed history lecture, or prefer a polished theatrical show. The night depends on patience, curiosity, and a willingness to accept uncertain results.

Should you book the St. Augustine Advanced Paranormal Investigation Tour?

Book it if you want to learn how ghost-hunting equipment is used and you like the idea of testing the tools yourself. The strongest parts are the hands-on format, the two investigation sites, and the guide’s clear teaching style, especially if Grayson is leading your tour.

Skip it if you want a simple walking tour or do not have access to a car. The $70 price is reasonable for two hours of guided investigation and equipment use, but only if active participation is what you want.

For a first paranormal experience in St. Augustine, this is a promising choice. Bring insect repellent, keep your expectations realistic, and let the city’s old stories provide the atmosphere.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 442 Ocean Vista Ave.

How long does the paranormal investigation last?

The experience lasts two hours, with about one hour at each of two locations.

Do I need my own vehicle?

Yes. You must follow the guide in your own vehicle between the locations. Transportation is not included.

What paranormal equipment can I use?

The tour provides equipment including spirit boxes, K2 meters, Ovilus devices, REM pods, EVP voice recorders, and other paranormal tools.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. It includes a live English-speaking guide.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring?

Bring insect repellent and your own vehicle.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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