10 Best Everglades Airboat Tours in Florida
Are you looking for the best airboat tours in Florida? Feeling a little overwhelmed by the choices and not sure which ones are worth the money? You’ve come to the right place! As a lifelong Floridian, I’ve ridden many airboats and taken many Everglades airboat tours.
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From all-day Everglades tours which pick you up at your hotel in Miami to 30-minute airboat tours near Orlando, tours including manatee viewings to airboat and hiking tours, it’s all here!
⏲️Don’t have time to read the entire list?
The BEST Everglades Airboat Tour in Florida is Wild Florida Everglades Airboat Tour & Park.
When I lived in Miami, many of my friends belonged to the Airboat Association of Florida. I often went with them to the club’s grounds on 8th Street to barbecue, ride airboats through the Everglades, and enjoy a weekend in the sun. Heading out into the River of Grass on a noisy, flat-bottomed boat is an adventure everyone should experience on a Florida vacation.
If you’re ready to take an in-depth look at the 15 best airboat tours in Florida, keep reading.
Top 3 Picks: Airboat Tours in Florida
Best Everglades Airboat Tours in Florida
The Everglades are a complex ecosystems which reaches far beyond the borders of Everglades National Park. Encompassing Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge, and many other preserved lands in central and south Florida, the Everglades is home to Florida’s most iconic wildlife.
Everglades airboat tours allow visitors to experience these unique ecosystems in all of their wildness.
1. Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Wild Florida Airboat Tours⚡
This airboat tour in Central Florida explores Cypress Lake, one of the pristine lakes in the headwaters of the Everglades. Just an hour from Orlando, it provides a great opportunity to take a day trip away from the theme parks.
Wild Florida is an alligator and wildlife sanctuary which also operates Everglades airboat tours. Choose from 30 or 60 minute airboat rides on US Coast Guard certified airboats operated by USCG licensed captains. Ear muffs are provided to help protect guests’ hearing from the loud airboat engines.
After the airboat tour, spend the rest of the day in Wild Florida’s Gator Park (included with airboat ride ticket purchase). The Gator Park is home to rescued alligators, rare albino alligators, and other Florida wildlife like the Florida panther.
Daily alligator shows educate visitors about one of Florida’s most feared apex predators. There is also a petting zoo and other wildlife shows. For an additional charge, enjoy lunch or the drive-through safari.
🐊 Read more about our trip to Wild Florida in June 2022. 🐊
2. Airboat Ride and Nature Walk with Naturalist in Everglades National Park
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Wild Lime Adventure Tours⚡
This Everglades airboat tour in South Florida strives to provide an exceptional educational experience with extraordinary convenience. The day begins with pick up from several Miami-Fort Lauderdale hotels and vacation rentals. The narrated scenic drive ends at the Miccosukee General Store.
The one hour airboat tour takes small groups far from land for full immersion into the Everglades. It stops at a native Miccosukee village to learn about local native customs and history.
The tour is guided by a naturalist who provides invaluable information about the ecosystem and wildlife. View birds and alligators as well as other local wildlife and learn about the importance and uniqueness of the Everglades. When possible, I always recommend guided walks in nature with master gardeners and naturalists. You’ll learn so much about the area where you take the guided walk.
The half-day tour also include a nature walk, snacks, and fees. Guests also receive a Wild Lime Adventures eco-bottle to keep.
3. Everglades Day Safari from Fort Lauderdale
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Everglades Day Safari⚡
Escape to the wilderness of Florida’s Everglades on this guided, full-day adventure from Fort Lauderdale. Get ready for an amazing adventure!
This small-group tour takes you to Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. You’ll take an airboat ride in the Everglades, drive through Big Cypress Preserve, as well as go on a nature walk boat ride while looking out for some of the wildlife in the area.
Lunch is provided and a hotel pickup and drop-off are included at select Fort Lauderdale area locations.
4. 90-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour in Central Florida
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Marsh Landing Adventures⚡
Learn about the Everglades and wildlife that lives there on this 90 minute tour. Limited to no more than 15 passengers, the airboat ride is narrated throughout.
Passengers are encouraged to keep eyes out for alligators, birds, and other local wildlife. Stadium seating on the airboat ensures all passengers have great views of the swamp.
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Marsh Landing Adventures⚡
5. Everglades National Park Biologist-Led Adventure
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Wild Lime Adventures⚡
Enjoy an entire day immersed in nature on this biologist-led adventure into the Everglades. Enjoy an airboat ride in the Everglades, a boat ride through the 10,000 Islands of Southwest Florida, and a hike.
The guides are well-versed in the area’s flora and fauna as well as the history of the Everglades. A stop at a Native village adds to the historic nature of the tour which history buffs will love.
The tour provides a satisfying lunch of local cuisines as well as several snacks and refreshments along the way. Hotel pick-up and drop-off is provided at select area hotels.
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Wild Lime Adventures⚡
6. Everglades Day Safari from Fort Myers/Naples Area
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Airboats & Alligators⚡
Though most of the Everglades tours leave from Miami/Fort Lauderdale or Orlando, the Everglades extends across the state to Florida’s Gulf Coast. This tour gives people in Fort Myers and Naples the opportunity to experience the same enchanting Everglades.
This full day tour offers many of the same perks as the previous tour which departs from Miami. Guests enjoy an airboat ride, a boat tour of the 10,000 Islands, and a nature walk.
Led by expert naturalists, the tour includes lunch. Hotel pick-up and drop-off is provided at several locations in Fort Myers and Naples.
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Airboats & Alligators⚡
7. 30-Minute Airboat Ride, Lunch, Gem Mining and Park Admission
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures⚡
There are so many activities in Orlando besides theme parks, and this airboat adventure is one of them. When you ride with Boggy Creek, you can choose from a variety of fun activities at their park. The main attraction, of course, is the airboat ride. This particular tour is for 30 minutes, but they offer a 60 minute option as well.
At Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, you can also eat at the onsite restaurant, Boggy BBQ, and try your hand at gem mining. Additionally, enjoy the Native American village and alligator park where you can learn more about Florida’s most feared predator.
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures⚡
8. Semi-Private 1-Hour Airboat Tour of Miami Everglades
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Miami Everglades Connection⚡
If you’re a little short on time or just want a quick guided tour of the Everglades during your Miami vacation, this might be the perfect tour for you. You’ll get the thrill of zipping through the swamp on an airboat while keeping an eye out for wildlife. Drinks are provided on the tour so you’ll stay hydrated, too, a plus if you’re taking this tour in the summer.
A semi-private tour, the number of passengers is capped at five guests so you’re assured of having more in-depth conversations with your captain. It’s perfect for anyone who really wants to understand the Everglades and the plants and animals who call it home. Plus, 99% of travelers recommend this tour so you know it’s good!
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Miami Everglades Connection⚡
9. VIP Private Airboat Tour
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Boggy Creek Adventures⚡
Get ready for a thrilling ride through the Everglades’ headwaters in central Florida on this private airboat adventure. Like other Everglades airboat tours located in central Florida, this one is just a short hour or so from Orlando so it makes a great day trip if you’re in Florida for theme parks or conventions.
This private VIP tour ensures you have your captain’s full attention on the 60-minute airboat ride. It’s a fantastic educational experience for the entire family and perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to share a larger boat with a bunch of strangers. Your ticket also includes an alligator viewing area and butterfly garden.
The adventure doesn’t have to stop there, though. A separate reservation gains you entry to the Native American village attraction or pay an extra fee to try your hand at gem mining.
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Boggy Creek Adventures⚡
10. 3-4 hours Everglades Tour from Miami
The highlights:
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Wide Angle Tours⚡
Miami is a cosmopolitan city with visitors from around the world. Recognizing this, Wide Angle offers this tour in four languages – English, Spanish, French, and Italian. It’s one of the few tours which offers multiple languages. And it’s not just the airboat ride; the narrated transportation is also in the language of your choosing.
The 60-minute airboat ride offers guests a great overview of the Everglades, and the opportunity to spot alligators in the wild. After the ride, there’s a 20-minute information session about nuisance gators and how they are handled in Florida, though this talk is offered only in English. The entire tour takes a half-day and offers a lot of insight about Miami and the Everglades, perfect for first-time visitors to both.
⚡CHECK AVAILABILITY for Wide Angle Tours⚡
FAQs About Everglades Airboat Tours in Florida
How much is an airboat tour through the Everglades?
Airboat tours range in price from $35 to over $100 per person. The cost depends on the length and other amenities.
What is the best time of day to do the airboat tours in the Everglades?
Dawn or dusk are the best times of day to do airboat tours and see the most wildlife. These are times when animals are most active. However, if the weather is cooler, mid-morning and mid-afternoon tours are also good.
Do we need to book Everglades airboat tours in advance?
Yes. Most tour operators recommend booking the tour in advance.
What should I wear on an airboat tour in the Everglades?
In summer, shorts and a t-shirt or tank top should be fine. If the weather is cooler, you might opt for long pants and a long sleeve shirt or jacket. Do not wear hats as they can fly off and get lost.
Do you need ear protection on an airboat?
Yes. Ear protection is usually provided by the tour operator.
Do you get wet on an Everglades airboat tour?
Generally, airboats are dry, and passengers do not get wet on an airboat ride. It’s possible, however, for passengers seated towards the outside of the boats to get a little spray on them.
Do you tip airboat captains?
Yes. It’s customary to tip your airboat captain 20%.
Wrapping It Up: Everglade Airboat Tours in Florida
An Everglades airboat tour is one of the best ways to experience the Everglades, especially if you’re short on time, don’t know where to go, or don’t have a car. These tours offer commentary to teach about the Everglades and wildlife that lives there as well as thrilling alligator viewing and many extras to make your half-day in the Everglades a memorable one. When you book one of these airboat tours in the Everglades, you’re adding a fun and uniquely Florida attraction to your vacation.
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My parents live in the Fort Myers area. We did an alligator farm but never thought to do the airboat tours. Gonna look into all these options more!! Thanks for compiling. It saves a lot of time researching!!
Great post! My brother moved to Florida last year, I will have to add this to our list of things to do when I visit.
I really wish I had done this when I was in Miami 🙁 Thanks for putting this list together, I’ll be saving for my next visit! The scenery looks beautiful
It’s really a must when in South Florida!
I loved this post! I’ve cruised out of Ft. Lauderdale so many times, but I’ve never stayed long enough to do the Everglades. I’ve always wanted to. Next time I cruise, I’ll have to come 2 days early so that I can do one of these tours. I had no idea that the most activity was at dawn or dusk. I’ll have to arrange a tour that will be out at dusk (I’m not an early morning person lol).
Thank you, Kelly! You definitely need to get to town early (or stay a day or two after the cruise) and go see the Everglades. There’s so much to see and do there!
I grew up in South Florida and never went on an airboat tour. This looks like so much fun! Thanks for all the details.
It really is a great time!
I haven’t been on an airboat ride in year. The airboat tour with a biologist sounds like a fun outing, giving us a chance to learn more about the Everglades and the wildlife, in addition to enjoying the boat tour.
Definitely! I always enjoy the tours with master gardeners, naturalists, and biologists the most because they have so much knowledge to pass on.