You’re standing at the base of 219 steps, and it is pitch black. I’m talking "can’t see your own hand" dark. Most people visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse during the day to snap photos of the red top and the spiral stripes, but the Dark of the Moon St. Augustine tour is a completely different beast. It’s not a "spooky" hayride. It’s not a theatrical performance with jump scares. It’s just you, a flashlight, and a 165-foot tower that has seen more tragedy than most people care to think about.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse has a Body Count
Let’s get the history out of the way because you can't understand the vibe of this place without the facts. This isn't just about "ghosts." It’s about gravity. In July 1873, a group of children was playing on a construction cart used to haul materials for the new lighthouse. The cart broke loose. It plummeted into the bay, trapping the children underneath. Three girls—Eliza and Mary Pity, and a friend named Carrie Pity—drowned.
People swear they still hear them.
When you go on the Dark of the Moon St. Augustine tour, the guides (who are usually remarkably chill for people who spend their nights in a haunted tower) lead you to the site of the old keeper’s house. This is where most of the activity happens. It’s not always a "lady in white." Sometimes it’s just the smell of cigar smoke from Peter, a former keeper who supposedly never left his post. He’s been dead since the 1950s.
Forget the "Ghost Hunter" TV Shows
Honestly, those shows have kind of ruined the expectations for paranormal tours. You aren't going to see a full-bodied apparition do a dance for you. Most of the time, it's subtle. It's a cold spot in a room with no air conditioning. It's the sound of footsteps on the metal stairs above you when you know for a fact you're the highest person in the tower.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum runs these tours with a heavy focus on history. They give you an electromagnetic field (EMF) detector, which is basically a little box that lights up when it senses changes in electrical currents. Some skeptics say it’s just the old wiring. Maybe. But explain why the lights spike in the middle of a graveyard where there are no wires.
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The climb is the real test.
219 steps. It’s tight. It’s humid. If you’re claustrophobic, this might be your personal version of hell even without the spirits. But reaching the top at night is incredible. You look out over the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean, and the wind up there is aggressive. It’s easy to see why the keepers felt so isolated.
The Keeper’s House is Where Things Get Weird
While everyone wants to climb the tower, the real activity is often in the basement of the Keeper’s House. This is where the maritime museum keeps its offices and some exhibits. People have reported seeing a man in the basement, often referred to as "The Man in the Blue Suit."
The Dark of the Moon tour gives you about two hours of "investigation" time.
You aren't being herded like cattle. You can sit in a room in total silence and just... wait. It’s the silence that gets you. In a town as old as St. Augustine (founded in 1565, remember), the layers of history are thick. You’re standing on ground that has seen Spanish explorers, British soldiers, Confederate troops, and Union occupiers.
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Why this tour specifically?
There are a dozen ghost tours in St. Augustine. You’ve got the trolley tours, the walking tours, and the pub crawls. Most of them are fun, but they’re "showy." The Dark of the Moon St. Augustine experience is the only one that actually lets you stay on the grounds of the lighthouse after the gates are locked to the public.
- You get the EMF meter.
- You get the history from people who actually work at the museum.
- You get to be in the tower at midnight.
It feels authentic because it is. The museum uses the funds from these tours to keep the lighthouse standing, so even if you don't see a ghost, your money is going toward preserving one of the most iconic landmarks in Florida.
Practical Advice for the Dark of the Moon St. Augustine Tour
Don't be that person who shows up in flip-flops. You are climbing metal stairs that are over a century old. Wear sneakers. Also, if it’s summer in Florida, prepare to sweat. The lighthouse is not climate-controlled.
You should also manage your expectations. I’ve been on this tour where nothing happened for 90 minutes, and then, in the last ten minutes, three different people’s EMF meters went off simultaneously in a pattern. It’s hit or miss.
Things to bring:
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- A camera with a flash (people love looking for "orbs," though most are just dust).
- Water. Lots of it.
- A healthy dose of skepticism. It actually makes the experience more fun when you try to debunk things.
If you’re looking for a jump scare, go to a theme park. If you want to feel the weight of 150 years of history and maybe, just maybe, hear the giggle of a girl who died in 1873, this is the only place to be.
Logistics and How to Actually Get In
The tours aren't every night. They usually run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Because it’s one of the most popular things to do in the city, they sell out weeks in advance. Especially around October. If you’re planning a trip to St. Augustine, the Dark of the Moon tour should be the first thing you book.
Tickets aren't cheap—usually around $25 to $30—but considering you get full access to the tower and the grounds after hours, it’s a steal.
Final Insights for Your Visit
- Arrive early. Parking at the lighthouse is easy, but you want to be there before the sun goes down to see the transition from day to night.
- Ask the guides about their personal stories. They won’t volunteer them unless you ask, but most of them have had something happen to them while working alone.
- Respect the site. This is a graveyard for some and a workplace for others.
- Download a ghost hunting app. Even if you think they’re fake, they add an extra layer of "what if" to the night.
The Dark of the Moon tour isn't just about the supernatural; it's a deep, dark look into the maritime history of the oldest city in the United States. Whether you leave a believer or a skeptic, you’ll definitely leave with a faster heartbeat.
To make the most of your trip, book your tickets directly through the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum website at least three weeks before your arrival. Check the weather forecast specifically for wind speeds, as the top gallery of the lighthouse may be closed if gusts exceed certain safety limits. Lastly, prioritize the basement of the Keeper’s House if you are looking for the most consistent "activity" reported by regular investigators.