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15 Best Everglades Airboat Tours

The Everglades are an amazing ecosystem full of wetlands, forests, and mangroves, and the rich habitat is home to a plethora of wildlife that includes alligators, turtles, manatees and more. The best way to explore this unique environment is by airboat; shooting around the waterways while taking in the breathtaking views will certainly live long in the memory.

A fascinating place, the expansive Everglades are located in Florida and are well worth a visit if you are staying in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Loads of operators offer airboat tours of the wetlands, so, to help give you an idea of what is available to you, here are some of the best Everglades Airboat Tours for you to enjoy.

1. Everglades 5-Hour Alligator and Airboat Tour

Everglades Alligator And Airboat Tour

An overwhelmingly popular tour, this excursion takes you cruising around the stunning Everglades on an airboat on the lookout for fearsome alligators.

The Everglades National Park is absolutely beautiful to travel around; your professional guide will tell you all about the wild and wonderful wetlands on show.

After an exhilarating ride, you can enjoy an educational alligator show and even touch or pick up a baby alligator. With lots of interesting displays and exhibits on offer, you’ll certainly come away with a newfound appreciation for this marvelous eco-system and the creatures that inhabit it.

2. Everglades Airboat Ride + Wildlife Show at Gator Park

Everglades Airboat Ride And Wildlife Show

This half-day tour is a fantastic way to experience the Everglades. You are whisked around the waterways on an airboat and the ride is certainly invigorating as you skip over the water.

Home to alligators, turtles, and a plethora of different birds, the Everglades National Park is the perfect place to spot wildlife and the scenery on show is absolutely spectacular.

Having enjoyed your thrilling ride, the tour then takes you to Gator Park, where you’ll see lots of fantastic creatures, exotic birds, and a whole menagerie of snakes, fish, and reptiles.

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3. Best of the Everglades Small Group Eco-Tour

Best Of Everglades Tour

Starting out from Miami Beach, this eco-tour takes you to the Everglades National Park, one of the largest in the United States – you certainly won’t forget the experience anytime soon.

Cruising around the spectacular wetlands on an airboat is a marvelous way to get about the beautiful waterways and you’ll be amazed at all the wildlife that you pass by.

In addition to this, you also get to watch the interesting and informative alligator show and can also choose to visit a nearby Native American Reservation, where you can learn about their history, daily lives and rich cultural heritage.

4. Everglades National Park Airboat Tour

Everglades National Park Airboat Tour

A thrilling experience, riding around the Everglades on an airboat is great fun and visitors invariably come away impressed and astounded at all that they’ve seen and done.

With an expert guide to tell you all about the Everglades and the creatures that inhabit the ecosystem, you’ll learn a lot about the alligators, turtles and wealth of wildlife that live in the wetlands.

The Wildlife and Alligator Show is also included on the tour and visitors can opt to hold a baby alligator if they’re feeling adventurous enough.

5. From Miami: Florida Everglades Small Group Airboat Tour

Florida Everglades Small Group Airboat Tour

Shooting around the Florida Everglades on an airboat is a captivating experience and this tour comes highly recommended by everyone that has been on it.

Having set out from Miami, you then take to the waterways and explore this unique habitat by airboat; the views on offer are remarkable.

With a professional pilot to take you around, you’ll learn loads about the natural habitat and may even get to catch a glimpse of alligators and turtles as they hide amidst the fauna and flora.

6. Everglades National Park: 3.5-Hour Adventure Tour

Everglades Alligator

A memorable day out, this 3.5-hour adventure tour will leave you raving about all the spectacular scenery and interesting animals that you see over the course of the excursion.

The highlight is the invigorating airboat ride which whisks you around the Everglades National Park. The expert guides will tell you all that there is to know about this special ecosystem.

The tour culminates in an entertaining and informative Wildlife Show where you’ll get to see alligators; you can even have your picture taken with a baby alligator and hold one if you want.

7. Miami Everglades Park Airboat Tour and Biscayne Bay Cruise

Miami Everglades Park Airboat Tour And Biscayne Bay Cruise

Starting off from Miami, this fun excursion takes you around the amazing Everglades National Park on an airboat and the scenery on show is breathtaking.

With alligators popping up here and there and a plethora of birds flying high in the sky, there is loads to see and your guide will teach you all about the wetlands’ fauna and flora.

After your airboat ride, it is time to take a cruise around the scenic Biscayne Bay; the views of Miami will certainly live long in the memory such is the splendor of the city’s skyline.

8. 30-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance

Florida Everglades

Accompanied by an experienced captain, your airboat ride around the Florida Everglades will whisk by and you’ll be astounded at all the beautiful nature and wonderful wildlife.

Once you set foot upon firm ground again, you will head to the Reptile Exhibit, where you can learn all about the creatures that inhabit the wetlands and even touch a baby alligator if you feel so inclined.

Highly rated by those who have been on it, this tour will take you up close and personal to some of the Everglades’ endangered wildlife and you’ll certainly come away having learned a lot about this beautiful part of the globe.

9. The Everglades and Miami Double Decker Bus Tour

Miami Double Decker

If exploring the beautiful Everglades wasn’t enough, this tour also takes you around the best of what Miami has to offer. The double-decker bus journey will take you past all the city’s main sights.

The Everglades National Park is mesmerizing to explore by airboat and the ride around the waterways is thrilling as you pass by submerged alligators and playful otters.

After watching the Wildlife Show, it is time to head to Miami; the bus tour with its fantastic audio commentary will take you to such famous sights as Coconut Grove, Little Havana, and Miami Beach.

10. Everglades Day Safari from Sanibel, Fort Myers & Naples

Everglades Wildlife

Once you have been picked up from either Sanibel, Fort Myers, or Naples, you are all set to have an unforgettable day exploring the majestic Everglades National Park.

Shooting around the spectacular waterways on an airboat is an exhilarating experience and you’re sure to see loads of amazing wildlife and beautiful fauna and flora.

With a cruise around the 10,000 Islands also included, you are very likely to see manatees, dolphins, and more. The tour also includes a visit to the Big Cypress National Preserve which features incredible landscapes. One of the most comprehensive tours; this one is not to be missed.

11. Everglades Adventure Tour and Airboat Ride

A wonderful day trip from Miami, this adventure tour around the Everglades National Park is a great option if you are looking to escape the city and see some of Florida’s impressive natural sights.

The Everglades are captivating to explore and the airboat ride is great fun. You’ll see alligators, turtles, and otters popping up here and there.

With a Wildlife Show also included, you’ll learn loads about this amazing ecosystem and the wonderful wildlife that inhabits it.

12. Everglades Day Safari from Fort Lauderdale

Everglades Day Safari

After setting out from Fort Lauderdale, this tour takes you around the stupendous Everglades in Florida. The scenery is stunning as you zip around the wetlands on an airboat.

With an expert guide on hand to tell you all about the sights you see, you’ll come away having learned a lot about the fauna and flora before you, as well as the endangered wildlife that lives in this special ecosystem.

The Wildlife Show is entertaining and informative and you’ll be amazed at all the reptiles and alligators.

13. Triple Combo: Everglades, Miami Bus Tour, and Yacht Tour

Miami Yacht

A great combo deal, this tour takes you around the stunning Everglades before you hop on a double-decker bus tour around Miami. The day culminates with a delightful yacht tour of Millionaire’s Row.

Just one of the many highlights, the airboat trip around the Everglades is great fun and the Wildlife Show afterward will teach you all about the animals that reside within the park.

The bus tour of Miami takes you past many of the city’s most famous sights and the relaxing yacht tour is the perfect way to end a jam-packed day of activities.

14. Everglades Indian Reservation Daytime Safari

Everglades Indian Reservation Daytime Safari

An interesting and informative day out, this fantastic tour sees you cruise around the incredible Everglades National Park and visit the Seminole Tribe Reservation.

The airboat ride around the park is exhilarating as you shoot around the waterways, taking in all the beautiful scenery. There are lots of animals to spot and a plethora of birds above you in the blue sky.

At the Seminole Tribe Reservation, you’ll learn about their rich cultural heritage and daily lives and you’ll come away with a newfound appreciation for their culture and history.

15. Everglades: Airboat Ride & Nature Walk w/a Naturalist

Everglades Airboat Ride And Nature Walk

With an expert guide on hand, you’ll get to see lots of wildlife up close and personal; your voyage through the Everglades is sure to live long in the memory.

Cruising around the wonderful wetlands on an airboat is loads of fun. Your guide will point out any alligators and turtles you come across while teaching you all that there is to know about this amazing landscape.

After your airboat adventure, it is time to visit the Miccosukee Indian Village, where you’ll learn about their traditions, way of life, and rich history.

15 Best Everglades Airboat Tours:

  • Everglades 5-Hour Alligator and Airboat Tour
  • Everglades Airboat Ride + Wildlife Show at Gator Park
  • Best of the Everglades Small Group Eco-Tour
  • Everglades National Park Airboat Tour
  • From Miami: Florida Everglades Small Group Airboat Tour
  • Everglades National Park: 3.5-Hour Adventure Tour
  • Miami Everglades Park Airboat Tour and Biscayne Bay Cruise
  • 30-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance
  • The Everglades and Miami Double Decker Bus Tour
  • Everglades Day Safari from Sanibel, Fort Myers & Naples
  • Everglades Adventure Tour and Airboat Ride
  • Everglades Day Safari from Fort Lauderdale
  • Triple Combo: Everglades, Miami Bus Tour, and Yacht Tour
  • Everglades Indian Reservation Daytime Safari
  • Everglades: Airboat Ride & Nature Walk w/a Naturalist

Everglades Activities

Everglades Airboat Tours

Ride an iconic airboat and see the local wildlife.

  • $1 Online Discount!
  • Free Parking
  • Map Marker Weston, FL
  • User All Ages
  • Hour Glass 40 minutes

Airboat Adventure General Admission

Sawgrass recreation park.

Feel the excitement and learn the history of the Everglades. Includes Airboat Adventure, Exhibit Entrances (Reptile, Glades Exhibit, and Exotic Wildlife), and Ear Protection and there is no charge for parking.

  • Includes pick up and drop off in Miami
  • Hour Glass 3 hours

Everglades Airboat Tour

System shuttle and tours.

This tour takes you on a visit to the largest remaining swamp land in the world. The Everglades Park was named World Heritage Site, a biosphere reserve and wetland of international interest.

  • INCLUDES PICK UP AND DROP OFF IN MIAMI
  • User Ages 2+
  • Hour Glass 5 - 6 hours

Everglades Airboat & Wildlife Show with Miami Pickup

Us2u destination services in america.

Capture the wild spirit of the Florida Everglades with this tour from Miami. Explore the Everglades on an airboat, operated by an engine and aircraft propeller. English or Spanish guide on the bus, English speaking park ranger on the boat.

The Most Exciting Way to Discover the Everglades

When you think of the Everglades, you probably imagine the iconic airboats that zip through the wetlands.

An airboat tour is the most exciting way to discover Everglades National Park, allowing you to take in the stunning sights and spot impressive wildlife along the way.

Not only are airboats thrilling to ride, but they’re also eco-friendly, protecting this vital habitat that is home to rare species. You can’t skip an airboat ride when visiting the Everglades!

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The Ultimate Everglades Experience

With its wetlands, swamps, forests, and mangroves, Everglades National Park is full of natural wonders and unique wildlife, including alligators, manatees, birds, turtles, and more. This national park is one-of-a-kind, and there’s no better way to discover it than on an eco-friendly airboat tour . See more of the park as you travel quickly and safely across the water with an experienced captain who shares their knowledge about the ecosystem and its inhabitants.

As you ride on an exciting open-air boat , take in the beautiful surroundings, learn about the local wildlife, and keep your eyes peeled for large alligators! Everyone in the family is sure to have a great time, from young naturalists to seasoned adventurers. Feel the wild spirit of the Everglades as you discover what makes this national park so fascinating and why it’s so important to protect it.

Come enjoy the ultimate Everglades National Park experience with the whole family! Browse through our airboat tours , including private rides and half-day tours , and book yours online today . It’s a day you’ll never forget!

Explore More Things to Do in Everglades National Park

Everglades alligator tours.

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Everglades Tours from Miami

Everglades tours & activities.

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

GENERAL ADMISSION + AIRBOAT TOUR (WALK-IN): Adult $35 | Child (4-11): $27 | Ages Under 4: Free

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Airboat rides, shows & encounters.

Open Daily 9 am to 5:30 pm. Come and Escape to the everglades with us! Closed December 25th, open every other day normal operating hours.

DISCOVER THE EVERGLADES ON AN AIRBOAT ADVENTURE

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ALLIGATOR ENCOUNTER

Come meet some adorable baby gators and even get a chance to hold a three-foot alligator! Our tour allows you to feed over 250 of these amazing creatures. It’s a must-do for all the gator enthusiasts in your group!

  • Hour Glass 1 hour

FEATURED EVERGLADES ALLIGATOR ADVENTURES

  • Hour Glass 3 hours

VIP EXPERIENCE

Love all things gators? Book this incredible three-hour experience in the Florida Everglades that includes our best three tours in one! See alligators, cruise through the Everglades, and more.

  • Hour Glass 45-60 minutes
  • Users All ages

EXTENDED PRIVATE AIRBOAT TOUR

Take a private airboat tour with room for up to 15 people in one party! Learn all about the natural wildlife in the beautiful Everglades and get general admission to the park.

AT EVERGLADES ALLIGATOR FARM

South Florida’s oldest alligator farm, the Everglades Alligator Farm, is located near the entrance of Everglades National Park and contains more than 2,000 alligators.

A trip to the Everglades Alligator Farm includes an exciting airboat tour, an alligator show, and an alligator feeding demonstration! If you are headed to Key Largo or Key West, this is an attraction you absolutely won’t want to miss.

BEST AIRBOAT RIDE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

I went here today with my husband and paid about $60 for both of us, and that is already including airboat show in the package which I highly recommend. This is a great spot to check out when in South Florida. We spent about three hours in the place. Staffs are friendly and shows were very entertaining.

A quick adventure, not too long but enough to get a feel for the land. We loved the 360 turns, even got soaked (or a little wet) depending on where you sit. You can feed an Emu, see the anaconda and fun gift shop too. We loved the baby alligator pen and holding a baby alligator was unforgettable! The alligator feeding and alligator show was great, the gentleman who hosted was even better. Very friendly, patient with kids and informative/educational.

We had a lot of fun here, the animals look like they are taken good care of and Liz was great, she did all the shows on this day (gator, snakes, feeding) and we thought she did an amazing job! The airboat tour was also great, it’s loud but you get ear protection and we saw gators!

As an animal lover, this was just about the best part of our 5 day trip here. I loved the great info from both shows and got to hold a baby alligator too! Over 250 alligators to see of all sizes. If you cant decide whether to add the boat ride, think no more, add it. Very fun, safe and once in a lifetime experience. All so affordable.

Highly recommend visiting this place. It was one of the best experience on our holiday. We booked an animal experience tour which was great, we all loved it and many thanks to our great guide! He was so nice and knowledgeable and made the tour really enjoyable for the kids too. Thank you!

I hadn't had high expectations because the price was lower than other options I had looked into. Tyler was engaging and informative for the alligator feeding and show. Jose was a great tour guide on the fan boat through the everglades. There is a reptile exhibit among other animals to view included with the general admission. My two young kids had a great time as well. It's couple and kid-friendly!

Not just a roadside attraction - but also very educational. The folks who gave the talks where very informative about the reptiles and conservation starts with education. The airboat ride was very fun and VERY wet - too short though. Spent about 3 hours there.

They keep adding to it and it's grown substantially since my last visit. Well worth the admission fee of $27.00 USD which does not include the swamp bait ride. I think it was $32.00 all inclusive. This place does a great job through it's alligator feeding and taming exhibitions. In addition to alligators, they have crocodiles, bobcats, parakeets, large turtles, a snake exhibit, and much more. On this trip, there was no snake show with used to be part of the schedule. I'm not sure if it was discontinued or just not available on the day we went. You are free to bring in your own food and enjoy a nice picnic at one of their many picnic tables. Your entire experience takes about three hours. It's quite educational and I highly recommend it.

You can do the whole thing (feeding demo, airboat ride, show) in around two hours. They have over 400 alligators and a variety of other animals on exhibit. There are several enclosures with baby alligators. The airboat ride is 20 minutes of fun if you get the right guide. Ours was awesome. You actually learn a lot that you may not know about gators.

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Sawgrass Recreation Park – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect, FAQs

Sawgrass Recreation Park

Sawgrass Recreation Park is a unique airboat tour experience situated in the heart of the Florida Everglades.

Originally a fishing camp, it transformed over the course of 30 years into a one-boat airboat attraction in the 1970s and later became one of South Florida’s top destinations for visitors in the new millennium.

The park aims to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of the Everglades ecosystem and the significance of preserving this fragile environment and its wildlife.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Sawgrass Recreation Park in Miami.

Table of contents

What to expect, where to book tickets, how online ticket works, sawgrass recreation park ticket prices, sawgrass park day time airboat tour, sawgrass park airboat adventure package, private 1-hour airboat adventure tour, how to reach, sawgrass recreation park timings, how long does the tour take, best time to visit, faqs about the sawgrass recreation park.

Embark on a thrilling adventure with an airboat tour of the Florida Everglades and admission to the alligator and reptile exhibit.

Explore this fascinating natural wonder, hear about the history of the Seminole people, and discover the wildlife you encounter from your captain.

Step onto your airboat and journey through the Everglades while your captain shares historical and ecological facts. Listen to stories about the coexistence of the Native American Seminole people and panthers in this lush wilderness.

Keep an eye out for rare and endangered wildlife as you skim across the glassy water, through grassy rivers, and over the tropical marsh.

After your airboat tour, head into the alligator and reptile exhibit. Get up close to a baby alligator, touch its unique skin, and learn about these formidable predators.

Tickets for the Sawgrass Recreation Park are available to be purchased at the venue or online in advance.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.

When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.

Go to the Sawgrass Recreation Park booking page , select your preferred date, timeslot, and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.

After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.

You don’t need to carry printouts.

Show the smartphone tickets on the day of your visit and begin your tour.

The Sawgrass Recreation Park tickets cost US$29 for visitors aged 13 years and above.

Children aged four to 12 years get a discount of US$11 and pay only US$18 for entry.

Kids aged three and younger can enter the Sawgrass Recreation Park for free.

Adult tickets for the Sawgrass Park Airboat Adventure Package are priced at US$59 for visitors aged 13 and above.

Tickets for children between four and 13 years can be purchased for US$37.

Children aged three and under are not allowed on the tour.

General Admission tickets for the Private 1-Hour Airboat Adventure Tour are priced at US$351 for day tours and US$359 for night tours.

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Sawgrass Park Day Time Airboat Tour

Explore the Florida Everglades on a 40-minute guided airboat tour, where you can witness the natural beauty up close.

Enjoy a unique perspective of this natural wonder and get up close and personal with the local and exotic wildlife by visiting the exhibit areas.

Your ticket includes admission to the Alligator and Reptile exhibit and a live guide to enhance your experience.

Ear protection will also be provided for your comfort and safety.

Ticket Price

Adult Ticket (13+ years): US$29 Child Ticket (4 to 12 years): US$18 Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

Sawgrass Recreation Park tickets

Experience the beauty of Sawgrass Park with an all-inclusive activity package.

This package includes airboat rides, reptile exhibitions, and Everglades souvenirs, all at a discounted price.

The ticket includes a 40-minute airboat tour, entrance to all of our fascinating exhibits, and ear protection to ensure your comfort during the airboat ride.

Visitors will also receive a photo souvenir keychain to help remember their visit and their choice of a souvenir t-shirt or hat valued up to US$23 to take home as a memento.

Guests are also provided with bottled water to stay refreshed and energized and complimentary parking to easily access the facilities.

Visitors choosing the Deluxe option get additional perks such as a Gator-tooth-in-a-bottle souvenir, a bag of gem rough from Sawgrass Mining Co. to explore and discover, and a $15 credit to spend at the Gator Grill.

Adult Ticket (13+ years): US$59 Child Ticket (4 to 12 years): US$37

Private 1-Hour Airboat Adventure Tour

Embark on a 60-minute private airboat tour of the Everglades and witness the wildlife, flora, and fauna of this incredible ecosystem.

This guided tour is led by an experienced Everglades captain who will share tales of how the Seminole and Panther once coexisted in the lush Everglades wilderness, along with other interesting facts and information about the region.

During the tour, you will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of endangered wildlife as you skim across the water.

Additionally, all airboat ticket purchases automatically include entrance into the Alligator and Reptile exhibit.

Enjoy educational presentations and even get up close to a baby alligator and touch its unique skin.

Choose between a daytime tour with clear views of diverse wildlife or a night tour seeking out nocturnal creatures, including alligators, distinguished by their glowing red eyes.

General Admission (Day Tour): US$351 General Admission (Night Tour): US$359

Save time and money! Buy Miami Go City Pass and discover over 25 top Miami-area activities, attractions, and tours. With this all-inclusive pass, you can explore Zoo Miami, Seaquarium, Big Bus Miami Hop-On Hop-Off, and many more!

How to reach Sawgrass Recreation Park

Sawgrass Recreation Park is located two miles north of Exit 23 on US Route 27, off I-75.

Address: 1006 US-27, Weston, FL 33327, United States. Get Directions

Since there are no transit stations nearby, we suggest you either rent a cab or travel in your personal vehicle to arrive at the park. 

Free Parking is available inside the Sawgrass Recreation Park.

The Sawgrass Recreation Park Airboat Tour runs from 8 am to 3.30 pm daily.

The airboats run at 20 to 30-minute intervals.

The exhibit area closes with a final airboat adventure departing at 5 pm. 

The Sawgrass Recreation Park remains closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

The final boat ride departs at 3.30 pm, and the exhibits close at 4.15 pm on 14 December.

On Christmas Eve, the final boat departs at 2 pm, and the exhibits close at 3 pm.

How long does the Sawgrass Recreation Park tour take

The Airboat Tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park takes around 40 to 60 minutes on average.

If you plan to explore the entire park and have some snacks inside, you can expect your tour to last for nearly two hours. 

Other tours involving additional activities can take longer.

The best time to go for the Sawgrass Recreation Park Airboat Tour is as soon as the Everglades opens at 8 am. 

The broad daylight gives clear views of the Everglades, and you can definitely spot gators on the tour. 

Alternatively, visitors can opt for the night tour and experience a stunning picturesque view of the park and the sounds of nocturnal creatures that will surely give goosebumps.

Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends, providing a more relaxed and intimate experience.

Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Sawgrass Recreation Park.

You can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, snakes, and a variety of bird species.

Yes, the airboat ride is safe. All airboats are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are in good working condition. Additionally, all captains are licensed and experienced.

It is best to pre-book your tour to ensure availability and have a hassle-free experience.

Yes, the tour is suitable for children of all ages. However, children under the age of three are not allowed on the airboat ride.

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, a hat, and sunscreen. Additionally, sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.

Yes, there is a gift shop at the park where you can purchase souvenirs and snacks.

Yes, it is possible to take pictures on the tour. However, it is important to keep your camera secure during the ride.

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. However, some parts of the park may be difficult to navigate.

Sources # Evergladestours.com # Tripadvisor.com # Visitflorida.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

Popular attractions in Maimi

# Miami Seaquarium # Miami Zoo # Jungle Island # Everglades National Park # Millionaire’s Row Cruise # Graffiti Museum # Thriller Miami # Museum of Illusions # Miami Duck Tour # Sawgrass Recreation Park # Flamingo Gardens # Skyviews Miami # Superblue Miami # Jungle Queen # Lion Country Safari # Wynwood Walls

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This article was researched & written by

Ishita Ganguly

She is a spontaneous traveler. She loves exploring peaceful and underrated tourist attractions, trying local cuisines, learning new languages, and visiting holy places. She finds traveling therapeutic, and whenever things go south, she packs up her bags and hits the road. She would love to travel solo across Europe one day. Favorite cities: Paris, Budapest, Venice, Adelaide.

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Everglades: Sawgrass Park Day Time Airboat Tour & Exhibits

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

About the activity

Glide across the Florida Everglades on a guided airboat tour. Get a unique view of this natural wonder and visit exhibit areas where you can interact with local and exotic wildlife.

  • Free cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
  • Live guiding English
  • Start times - Available today 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM
  • Duration 40 minutes
  • 40-minute airboat tour
  • Ear protection
  • Alligator and reptile exhibit admission
  • Hotel pickup and/or drop-off
  • Enjoy an informative 40-minute airboat ride, with photo opportunities
  • Catch a glimpse of endangered wildlife
  • Get to touch a baby alligator in the reptile exhibit

Description

Embark on a real adventure with an airboat tour of the Florida Everglades and entry to the alligator and reptile exhibit. Explore this fascinating natural wonder, hear the history of the Seminole people, and learn about the wildlife you sport from your captain. Board your airboat and glide out into the Everglades. As you cruise, listen to fascinating historical and ecological facts from your captain. Listen to tales of how the Native American Seminole people and panthers once coexisted in this lush wilderness. Keep an eye out for rare and endangered wildlife as you skim across the glassy water, through grassy rivers, and over the tropical marsh. After your airboat tour, head into the alligator and reptile exhibit. Get up close to a baby alligator and touch its unique skin and learn about these formidable predators.

  • Your reservation is for a window of arrival and not a boat departure time. Upon arrival, check in with any of our clerks and you will be assigned to the next boat boarding.
  • We have limited accessibility for guests who are handicapped. The boats are not wheelchair accessible but our exhibits are. If you are able to comfortably take a step down into our boats or have a family member help you into and out of the boat, you will be able to enjoy the boat ride. Upon check-in, please let our clerks know that you will need additional time to board the boat and we will be sure to let the captain know so you will be escorted to the front of the line and given time to get comfortable. If you are apprehensive about having to get into the boat comfortably, you can still enjoy our animal exhibits! The exhibit area is a gravel walkway. We have a wheelchair we can lend you at no cost for the exhibit area.

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Sawgrass Park: Private 1-Hour Airboat Adventure Tour

Sawgrass Park: Private 1-Hour Airboat Adventure Tour

Enjoy a thrilling airboat tour of the Florida Everglades and get to see some of the richest wildlife in the country. Take the chance to visit a reptile exhibit and touch a baby alligator.

  • 1 hour • Private tour • Guiding available • Available today

Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Adventure Package

Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Adventure Package

Experience Sawgrass Park in all its glory with an activity package. Save some dollars while enjoying airboat rides, reptile exhibitions, bottled water, and some Everglades souvenirs.

  • 1 day • Guiding available • Available today

Frequently Asked Questions

Prices & booking.

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Captain Jack's Airboat Tours

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create unforgettable Everglades memories at captain jack's!

Zip through Everglades City on airboat tours

Venture through a cypress forest on a swamp buggy

Get a chance to see wild alligators, birds & more

Stay safe and comfortable 

See alligators & animals up close

Hold a baby alligator

Take home gifts and memories

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Everglades National Park Boat Tour

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Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour

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Boardwalk (Included)

Mangrove maze airboat tours.

Race through a maze of Everglades mangroves on an airboat, away from other traffic.

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  • Mangrove Maze Ultimate Combo

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  • Mangrove Maze Airboat Tour

Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Combos

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  • Total Everglades Combo

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Mangrove Tunnel & Grassland Combo

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Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo

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Private Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo

Mangrove tunnel airboat tours.

Take a high-speed tour of Everglades City's signature mangrove tunnels!

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  • Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

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  • Private Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

Grassland airboat Tours

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Grassland & Buggy Combo

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  • Grassland Airboat Tour

4 Attractions Included with All Our Tours

When you book direct.

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Animal Sanctuary

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Alligator Show

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Hug an Alligator

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Why Choose Captain Jack’s?

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Local Roots

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Safety & Experience

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Two-Way Headsets

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Alligators & Animals

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Quietest & Comfiest

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Personal & Popular

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Refreshments & Gifts

Guests love us.

“There is something about flying down narrow alleys of mangrove trees that is just a rush. I could never get tired of it. The guides always give more than just a ride. You learn so much about the Everglades and the total ecosystem that it is. We most certainly will be back!

—C. from Florida

“The mangrove tour was so much fun! We saw a family of dolphins swimming along the boat, several alligators, and a few fish jumping out of the water. Riding through the mangroves was beautiful and a fun way to see the Everglades. I would recommend to anyone.”

—J. from Massachusetts

“We really enjoyed seeing the alligators. The captain of the airboat gave a lot of information about the Everglades and habitat. The addition of the two-way headsets let us all communicate during the tour. This was really a highlight of having friends down visiting us new Florida residents. Plan to bring other guests."

—K. from Florida

“We did the combo package and it was amazing! Great way to experience all 3 ways to 'see' the Everglades! Would highly recommend. All the captains for each segment were fantastic! Had a great time!"

—J.T.

  • Mangrove Tunnel & Grassland Combo
  • Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
  • Private Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
  • Grassland & Buggy Combo
  • Lodging Nearby
  • Total Everglades Stay & Play
  • Animals & Alligator Show
  • Everglades City Boardwalk

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

The Original Everglades National Park Airboat Tour

Everglades safari t-shirt, experience the beauty of everglades national park while riding an airboat, discover the next level of family fun while our captains navigate through the pristine waters of everglades national park aboard our world-famous airboat tours. you can bet it is one of the safest social distancing options to explore your nature™..

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

The Original Eco-Experience Airboat Tour

Take an unforgettable journey on an airboat ride through florida's everglades national park, join our expert captains for 30 to 40 minutes of educational family fun in the florida everglades. learn about the unique plants and animals that live in your very own backyard..

best airboat rides in the world miami florida

Travel Deeper into Everglades National Park Aboard A Private Tour

Go off the beaten path as we journey deeper into florida's everglades national park, as expert guides, our captains have unparalleled knowledge of the trails, plants, and animals. join us for a truly unique and unforgettable experience today.

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

So much fun!! We did a private tour with LOU, and had an absolute blast!! Thanks to all the staff for being so friendly and knowledgeable! Make sure you go to the alligator show!

Wonderful place, excellent your guide and really awesome Alligator show. Highly recommend!!! Will definitely be back

Wondering What to Do When Visiting the Everglades?

From airboats to camping, we've listed our top picks in our latest article: Top 7 Things to Do in the Everglades!

On Vacation & Need A Ride? We Can Help!

We recommend Xpedition Tours! They provide reliable service to and from our park, from select locations.

So fun!  Beautiful tour flying around the everglades on an airboat!  Wear the ear buds they give you. And you can hold Snappy!

This place is awesome!  We saw a Snail Kite, momma alligator and her nest. The boat ride was sooo much fun. We actually drove by it and turned around just to see the place.

Everglade Airboat Tours

Planning Your Visit? Woo!

Find out everything you can do during your visit to the florida everglades, from airboats to nature walks, wildlife shows to gator bites, we offer family fun in the warm florida sun all year long. we're sure your experience will be unforgettable., ever wonder what that alligator is doing.

Everglade Airboat Rides

Top 7 Things to do in the Everglades

If you ask anyone about the Everglades, they will most probably say that it is the greatest swamp in Florida. They are close but not exactly right! It is a slow-running river that entails around nine contrasting, elegant ecosystems.

History of Airboats

In 1930, airboats started becoming popular in the United States. Many Floridians made them famously known when they began to invent them independently, these Floridians mostly lived in or near the Florida Everglades.

Ultimate Guide: Animals of the Everglades

Did you know the Florida Everglades sustains a unique environment that provides safe refuge to the wildlife that inhabits the wetlands, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world? This guide tells you all about them!

The Ultimate Guide to Everglades National Park

With so much to do in South Florida, it’s easy to miss the adventure that can be found in our very own backyard. In this article, we will shed light on one of the hidden gems often overlooked by visitors and residents alike; the Florida Everglades.

Searching For The Perfect Deal? Look no further!

We offer various discounts to make your Everglades National Park experience more memorable and less stressful on your wallet.

We recommend Xpedition Tours! transportation companies in Miami to provide you reliable service to and from our park, from select locations.

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

Traveling With A Group? Group Rates & Arrangements Are Available.

Group tours of all sizes are welcome to enjoy the adventure, together! Our custom made, twin rotor airboats are the largest in the industy, holding a whopping 45 visitors each!

National Park Airboat Tours

Meet Our Partners

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

Park Information

Tour information, things to do in miami, navigation & more, want safari deals.

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

Protect Your Trip »

The 9 best everglades airboat and swamp tours.

See much more than alligators during one of these exciting trips.

The Top Everglades Airboat & Swamp Tours

OcuDrone Aerial Landscape Photography

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If you're planning a trip to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida , visiting Everglades National Park should be on your to-do list. The South Florida national park is known for its expansive beauty, as well as its varied population of wildlife that includes everything from bobcats to alligators.

To see all the Everglades has to offer, sign up for a guided tour. U.S. News consulted both traveler sentiment and expert opinion to identify the top Everglades tours. Before you go, make sure you read through the National Park Service's Wildlife Viewing Ethics to keep both yourself and the animals safe during your time in the park. When choosing the best Everglades tours, we avoided recommending operators that promote wildlife shows or encourage feeding or holding the animals for photo-ops.

Visitors should plan to pay a fee to enter the park, as it may not be included in the price of the tour ticket. You should also keep in mind that many of these tour operators are located at least 30 miles west of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Tours that run on airboats – open-air vessels with huge fans at the back that propel the boat – can be very loud. Companies will generally offer ear protection, but if you or your companions are sensitive to loud noises, contact the tour provider to discuss options before you book.

The Best Everglades Airboat and Swamp Tours

Everglades swamp tours – one hour group tour.

Price: Adults from $60; kids from $30 Duration: 1 hour

This sightseeing trip takes you out on an airboat to cruise through the Everglades' main waterways in search of alligators, birds and interesting vegetation. Throughout the ride, knowledgeable guides share facts about the area's history and ecology. Many travelers recommend booking this tour, describing it as fun and informative, with plenty of wildlife sightings. Departures generally take place daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., but availability may vary by month.

Children 5 and younger can ride for free, but still require a reserved seats. Also check out Everglades Swamp Tours for private airboat tours that last up to two hours.

Check prices & availability on:

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures – 30-Minute Airboat Tour

Price: Adults from $35; kids from $30 Duration: 30 minutes

Located at the headwaters of the Everglades in Kissimmee, Florida (about 40 miles south of Orlando), Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures earns praise from reviewers for its personable, experienced staff and the family-friendly environment. On the airboat ride, you and up to 16 other passengers will glide through the tall grass in search of eagles, alligators, raccoons and more. In addition to airboat rides, the site houses a replica of a Jororo Tribe village, as well as a gem and fossil mining activity for kids.

Tours depart throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. You can buy your tickets online, but there are no reservations for this tour. For a longer adventure, consider the company's hourlong airboat ride. There are also sunset and night tours, if you're hoping to avoid the midday heat and crowds.

Marsh Landing Adventures – 90-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour

Price: Adults from $65; kids from $60 Duration: 1.5 hours

For wildlife lovers who want more than half an hour to experience the Everglades, this 1.5-hour airboat ride from Marsh Landing Adventures is an excellent experience. Located in Kissimmee on Lake Tohopekaliga, Marsh Landing Adventures promises travelers an in-depth look at the headwaters of the Everglades and the plants and animals that inhabit its waters. What's more, the company says it can reach areas of the Everglades that are inaccessible to larger boats because of its small crafts. Travelers give kudos to the boat captain for their educational and entertaining delivery. Many call the experience the highlight of their Florida vacation.

Tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are required, and there is a 1% fuel surcharge added to each ticket. Marsh Landing Adventures also offers hourlong, two-hour and four-hour airboat rides.

Alligator swimming, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA.

Everglades City Airboat Tours

Price: Adults from $47; kids from $31 Duration: 1 hour

Everglades City Airboat Tours sets itself apart from other companies by offering participants two-way headsets, which allow passengers and guides to better engage with one another throughout the hourlong ride. As you navigate through narrow creeks and shallow bays, you may spot alligators, manatees and birds. Tourists enjoy the ride and appreciate the headsets. Reviewers are also complimentary of the boat captains, who they describe as entertaining and knowledgeable.

Tours depart multiple times Monday through Saturday, although timing may be modified based on the season. It's a good idea to reserve your tour in advance. Everglades City Airboat Tours is located approximately 85 miles west of Miami and 35 miles southeast of Naples, Florida.

Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours – 45-Minute Standard Airboat Tour

Price: Adults from $45; kids from $27.50 Duration: 45 minutes

For an excursion that combines cultural immersion and wildlife viewing, consider this outing from Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours. The Miccosukee family-owned company's standard tour focuses on introducing visitors to the homelands of the Miccosukee people: an American Indian tribe that migrated to Florida before it became a state. During the tour, you'll not only see local wildlife, but also will get to see a Miccosukee Indian camp and take a nature walk. Visitors recommend the tour, describing it as an amazing experience thanks to the small, intimate group size.

Tours run daily at multiple times between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The company also offers private outings.

Everglades River of Grass Adventures – Semi-Private River of Grass Airboat Tours Everglades

Price: Adults from $85; kids from $45 Duration: 1.5 hours

One perk of this tour is that it is capped at six to eight travelers per boat. During the excursion, you'll get the chance to see the famous flora and fauna of the Everglades, including herons and alligators. Visitors say this is a family-friendly tour and call the trip "memorable" and "amazing."

These tours run seven days a week; since they're semiprivate, you must call or email to find out the best times to depart. River of Grass Adventures also offers sunset tours of the Everglades.

Other Popular Everglades Tours

Person in kayak in mangrove tunnel within Everglades National Park in Florida.

Shurr Adventures Everglades – Three Hour Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour Small Group Adventure

Price: Adults from $109; kids from $99 Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Enjoy an up-close view of animals and nature, and get some exercise in too, on this kayak tour of the Everglades' mangroves. As you paddle your way through the mangrove tunnels, you may spot orchids, birds and, of course, alligators. Kayakers say this tour is excellent and appreciate the patient, experienced guides who share a wealth of information about the plants and animals that reside in this unique ecosystem. What's more, reviewers appreciate that the tours are limited to just eight participants.

Tours are available Monday through Saturday from August to April; times vary by season. Children must be at least 7 years old to participate. Tourgoers will enjoy three to 3.5 hours out on the water but should plan to spend a total of four hours on-site from start to finish. Shurr Adventures Everglades also offers a full-day tour of the mangrove tunnels, as well as a motorboat tour in the Ten Thousand Islands region of Everglades National Park, among other options.

Shark Valley Tram Tours

Price: Adults from $31; kids from $16 Duration: 2 hours

These naturalist-led excursions not only include a tour around Everglades National Park in an open-air tram, they also give tourgoers the chance to explore on foot. Halfway through the tour, participants can climb a 45-foot-tall observation deck to see sweeping views of the surrounding vegetation. During the two-hour tour, travelers also have the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife. Tourgoers enjoy learning about the Everglades from the expert guides and say riding the tram is part of the fun. Many also recommended taking a morning tour to avoid the midday heat.

From mid-December through late April, tours depart on the hour daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From May through mid-December, tours depart at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. Shark Valley Tram Tours also offers self-guided bike tours. (Note that you'll have to pay a separate fee to enter Everglades National Park for any tour.)

Everglades Florida Adventures – Ten Thousand Islands Tour

Price: Adults from $59; kids from $29 Duration: 3 hours

If you're hoping to see the Everglades by boat, but want something a little quieter than an airboat ride, consider this cruise. Departing from Port of the Islands Marina in Naples, this 45-foot passenger catamaran glides across the Faka Union Canal while guides share information about the history and ecology of the area. Tourgoers report spotting lots of birds, turtles, dolphins and manatees. They also call out the insightful crew and clean, comfortable boat as highlights.

Cruises are offered Monday to Friday at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Everglades Florida Adventures also offers kayak and canoe rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Like any other form of transportation, riding an airboat may come with some risks. To stay safe on your Everglades airboat tour, be sure to choose a company run by experienced, professional boaters (most of which undergo special training and are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard) and adhere to all rules set forth by your guide. Parents should keep a close eye on children and be sure they are properly fitted for their life jackets, and all passengers should protect against the heat by wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated. Commercial airboats typically do not exceed speeds of 30 to 40 mph to ensure a safe, smooth ride, and most operators will reschedule your tour in the event of lightning or other inclement weather. Tour companies will also generally provide riders with proper ear protection, as the boats are quite loud.

Typically, passengers will feel the most comfortable in lightweight, sleeveless clothing and shorts while on an Everglades airboat tour. If you are taking a wintertime tour, keep an eye on the weather – pants and long sleeves may be a better option, but you likely won't need a heavy jacket. Be sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and water to protect yourself from the effects of the sun; you may also want a hat to provide further shade and keep hair in place. Passengers with long hair are advised to wear it in a ponytail or bun to keep it from becoming knotted in the wind. Tourgoers may also wish to apply some bug spray prior to embarking on their adventure.

Airboat tours last about an hour, though duration will depend on the tour company.

An airboat's top speed is about 30 mph.

Not normally, but you run a small risk of getting misted with water. If you take a tour when it is raining, expect to get wet.

In winter, you'll want to time your visit for midday, when it warms up. In summer, you'll want to visit in the morning or later afternoon when it's coolest. Visiting at these times can increase your chances of seeing wildlife, but you'll likely see all kinds of critters no matter when you visit year-round.

You might also be interested in:

  • Best Miami Tours
  • Best Miami Boat Tours
  • The Top Museums in Miami
  • The Top Things to Do in Florida
  • The Best Medical Travel Insurance

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Bogie Bacalls - Lookout Room at Bungalows Key Largo.

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Best Fort Lauderdale Everglades Tour: Sawgrass Recreation Park Review

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Our tour with the highly-rated Sawgrass Recreation Park took us through a portion of Everglades National Park. We were looking for alligators, as most do during these excursions. But the airboat ride and education proved to be the grander experience during our Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour.

We'll take you through what makes Sawgrass Recreation Park the best Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour you can take, what you learn during the tour, how to book tickets, and what else you need to know to prepare for a successful outing.

Please note: We thank Sawgrass Recreational Park for generously hosting us and there are affiliate links in this post, for which we may make a commission if you click through and proceed with a purchase. All the opinions in the post are ours and we bring you genuine content with real facts, photos and thoughts. Always.

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Post Contents

About Sawgrass Recreation Park

Our destination – the Sawgrass Recreation Park area – was a simple 30-minute ride from downtown Fort Lauderdale , or 45 minutes from Delray Beach . We were taken out on the boat by Captain Tim with three other people.

A Family Business

Tim and his family own the business; they bought it in 2005. By that time, it had established a name for itself, first founded as a fishing camp in the mid-1950s. It turned into a one-airboat operation around a decade later, in the 1960s. It was then purchased by another family, which is who Tim's family bought it from.

What struck me about Tim was his passion for nature and Florida, both its history and topography. Though the airboat was very loud when he drove it from one area to the next, he’d often stop for us to look at the wildlife or to talk to us about the Everglades' ecosystem. (Use the ear protection included in your admission to mitigate the noise during the ride.)

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Learning about the Florida Everglades

It was great to learn so much about the area, including tales from Tim's camping stories and stories from countless trips he’s taken on the water. We learned that a special airboat license is needed to captain the airboats we were on. It's a license separate and unique from a regular boating license.

We also saw the effect of pollution firsthand during our trip. We all spotted a glistening object in the water as the early morning sun spotlighted its reflection. Tim carefully navigated the boat over to it and stopped.

It was clear it was a deflated, gold mylar balloon. Every time Dan and I see balloons purposely being released into the sky, we cringe, knowing “what goes up must come down.” The balloons harm the water and its creatures, including sea turtles , alligators, birds, and more.

We knew it was important to photograph and show here. He said it's not uncommon that he has to take unnatural things out of the water on a trip. (Let's all be a part of the solution , like Tim, not the problem!)

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Quick, Fun Facts about Everglades National Park

Here are some interesting and unique facts about Everglades National Park. Many of them were discovered through the NPS site :

  • Everglades National Park was designated as a United States National Park back in 1934. It was officially established under President Truman in 1947.
  • Its 1.54M acres of land spans from Central Florida to the southern tip of the state.
  • It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, with its human-inhabited history spanning 2,000 years.
  • Along with Dry Tortugas National Park, it was jointly declared an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976.
  • Rainy/hurricane season is May through September (aka mosquito season!). This means the “dry season” is during fall, winter, and part of spring.
  • It's the only subtropical reserve in North America.
  • The Everglades has the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere.
  • It's home to thirteen threatened and endangered species, including the Florida Panther, West Indian Manatee, and the American Crocodile.
  • Everglades National Park is the only place where alligators and crocodiles coexist in the wild.

All these things combined are why it's unlike any other National Park we've ever visited. It doesn't have the romance of mountains and bears like Yellowstone National Park , perhaps. But it has something uniquely its own.

This quote, by Charles W. Tebeau from the 1968 publication of Man in the Everglades: 2000 Years of Human History in the Everglades National Park , says it best:

“Everglades National Park is at once a limited and vast sampling of a region full of contrast…. This park, which is chiefly of biological interest, requires a different perspective on the part of the visitor.”

Extend Your Everglades National Park Experience

Head over to Everglades City if you want to extend your adults-only experience of Everglades National Park. This small fishing village is the western gateway to the Everglades. It's about an hour and 15 minutes southwest of where Sawgrass Recreation Park is located; it is a city known for great fishing and stone crabs.

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Tour Options, Hours, and Peak Times at Sawgrass Recreation Park

Tour options for your florida everglades tour at sawgrass.

There are three main options:

  • General Admission tour : 25 to 30 guests (max) in a larger airboat. The cost is just under $25 per adult and includes ear protection. These tickets are usually available on the spot. While reservations in advance are never a bad idea, it's not particularly necessary.
  • Private tour : Though private tours can accommodate up to 19 guests, we recommend staying around six people or less for increased comfort and experience. **These tours are limited and likely to sell out. Book now .** Depending on the booking, private tours last for 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. It is recommended to book these in advance since the number of airboat operators able to do these private tours at Sawgrass Recreation Park is limited.
  • Packages: 1) Adventure Package, including 30-minute airboat tour admission, a bottle of water, ear protection (it gets loud on the water!), photo keychain, exhibit entrance, and a T-shirt of choice. $50/adult, $30/child 2) Deluxe Adventure Package, which includes everything from the adventure package, plus a gator tooth, a $15 credit to the onsite Gator Grill, and a pocket of gems for the Sawgrass Mining Co. experience on-site. $75/adult, $55/child

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

They also have:

  • Florida Resident Annual Pass .
  • Gator Nights (nighttime ride Wednesdays and Saturdays).
  • “ Red Eye” private airboat tours at night for 60 minutes. Though you can arrive during business hours until 5:00pm to book one (and take advantage of the exhibits during that time), reservations in advance are recommended.
  • Note: if you purchase a Miami Go City Card , complimentary admission to their park and a General Admission tour is included.

Hours of Operation and Peak Times

  • Sawgrass Recreation Park is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
  • Airboats leave every 20 to 30 minutes between opening and 3:30 pm. Arrive by 4:o0pm, even for the last tour of the day at 5:00 pm. The exhibits close at 5:00pm as well.
  • Their dining options are open from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm.

We were surprised to learn December's Christmas week is their busiest time of year. However, given it's also peak time for those living in cold climates to visit Florida , it makes sense!

They're closed on major holidays:

  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Company holiday party (varies by year, yet usually in December, so check their hours for more information)
  • December 24
  • December 25 (Christmas)

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

A Half-Day Trip from the Port of Miami and Fort Lauderdale Cruise Terminal

This is a great activity to sign up for if you’re going on a cruise from the Port of Fort Lauderdale or Port of Miami . Don’t have a car? No problem! There are services you can book that include transportation and admission to Sawgrass Recreation Park. Here are two options we know of:

  • Prestige Transportation : minimum of two people, about $40 per person. Includes roundtrip transportation to and from Fort Lauderdale city limits, whether you're at a hotel, the airport, or cruise port, admission to Everglades airboat park, a 30-minute airboat ride, and 30 minutes with the reptiles and wildlife. Available from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • KSA Transportation: for groups as well
  • Everglades Excursions : for groups of 10 or more

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Wildlife We Saw During Our Fort Lauderdale Everglades Tour

There's a misconception the main goal of an airboat excursion is to see crocodiles and alligators in the water. However, seeing them should be considered the icing on the cake, as there is so much more to appreciate on your journey.

Candidly, we went out in the morning during one of the coldest times on the coldest days of the winter to that point. And we didn't see any reptiles that weren't a part of the Sawgrass Recreation Park exhibits. This is very unlikely to occur, but it does once in a while.

Tim shared that alligators like to enjoy the banks of the wetlands in warm weather, staying under the water when it's really cold. That being said, even without seeing reptiles in the “wild,” we had a blast and saw other animals.

There are many birds, including Osprey, Egrets, Black-necked Stilts, and Tricolored Herons. And did you know Florida Panthers live in the Everglades? It's probably incredibly rare to see one, but hey…not impossible! We learned about periphyton too, which was equally as interesting. It's an organism that coats a lot of the plant life in the water and, as Tim described it, is the building block of the food chain in the Everglades.

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

It's More than an Airboat Ride

There is so much more to Sawgrass Recreation Park than simply airboat tours. You can easily spend over three hours there, between checking in at the gift shop, the airboat tour, eating lunch, and exploring the exhibits.

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Food at Sawgrass Recreation Park

We had gator bites from the Gator Grill after our tour (whose meat is from a gator farm, not directly from the Everglades). We sat at picnic tables in a lovely area that was set up for enjoying food on the premises, with cute umbrellas everywhere.

They also have menu items like hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and hot dogs. If you're in the mood for an ice cream sundae, funnel cake, smoothie or coffee, try something from their Sweet Tooth Cafe.

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Exhibits at Sawgrass

Admission to the exhibits is included with all tickets. Don't forget they close at 5:00pm.

Reptiles Exhibit

We headed over to the Reptile Exhibit area to gaze at their gators in habitats while we digested. (These reptiles have all been either rescued, adopted or donated to the park over the years, as the “How did the exhibit animals join our family?” sign indicates). I put my fears of being incredibly close to gators aside to hold a two-year-old alligator, whose teeth and force are probably stronger than I imagine!

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Glades Exhibit and Gem Mining

The Glades Exhibit includes tortoises, iguanas and peacocks. It also helps educate about the history of the Everglades and has gem mining!

I may be an exception but even as an adult I get a kick out of sifting through dirt to find gems. It's an activity aimed at children who visit but if you're a kid at heart I say go for it. It operates during normal exhibit hours and you can buy a bag of “rough” on the spot. Prices vary slightly from around $6 to $12, depending on the bag you want to buy to sift through, either for semi-precious gems (like Jasper, Quartz and Tiger Eye) or another bag option for shark teeth.

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Gift Shop after your Fort Lauderdale Everglades Tour

They have a nice recently remodeled gift shop. You can buy things like T-shirts, candy, mugs, hot sauce, shot glasses, and gemstones, along with plush toys, keychains, and various Florida keepsakes. They also sell limited snacks, like chips and bottled beverages.

Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour of Everglades National Park in Florida, also easily accessible from Miami, with pictures of what to expect on an airboat ride in addition to alligators. #evergladesnationalpark

Pavilion Island at Sawgrass Recreation Park

The entire “recreation park” at this Fort Lauderdale Everglades tour includes event space! You can rent their venue Pavilion Island for only $25 an hour. There isn't water or electricity, but the restrooms at Sawgrass Recreation Park aren't but a five-minute walk from Pavilion Island.

It's not really set up for a wedding, per se, but it's the perfect option if you want to host a family reunion, for instance, or a picnic reception for up to 300 people. You can also rent their gazebo space on Pavilion Island for no charge for up to one hour.

Book Your Tickets Online for this Fort Lauderdale Everglades Tour

Easily book tickets online for Sawgrass Recreation Park on Viator, and choose from a variety of lengths of tours and times of the day.

Heading to Florida? Also check out:

  • Over 40 of Tampa Bay Florida’s Coolest Murals (and Where to Find Them)
  • 40+ Awesome Things Florida is Known For
  • Fun Things to Do in Wynwood, Miami in Addition to Seeing Murals

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Great write up and explanation of this venue. When we went it was on a summer morning from Miami. Although we were disappointed not to see a single gator we did see a few turtles. It was hot, buggy and very pretty but certainly noisy with the engines of the boat even with the earplugs. I highly recommend this as a good stop to.

Don’t waste your money on Water Taxi like we did read all the negative comments and reviews like we should have

Hi Rick! Thanks for your comment. We value our readers! Can you elaborate on what water taxi you’re referring to?

Do you have hotel pick up in Deerfield Beach? Staying at Best Western

Hi Carole! We wrote about the experience but we’re not the actual host of the experience. (We are bloggers who love to share tips and advice for travel.) You’ll have to reach out to them directly to ask that question!

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  • United States

20 Best Everglades Airboat Tours

best Everglades airboat tours

Are you looking for the best  Everglades Airboat Tours ? Many tour operators offer awesome airboat tours. Discover the best tours available from Miami, Orlando. Fort Lauderdale, and from Fort Myers.

  • From Orlando
  • From Fort Myers
  • From Fort Lauderdale

The Everglades cap southern Florida in endless greenery. They are vast and impenetrable, ranging from the Kissimmee River and Orlando’s thrill-filled parks to the glistening waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In the west, they fragment into the Gulf of Mexico with countless white-sand isles and sweeps of mangrove. In the east, they crash into the sprawl of Miami with sawgrass prairies and swamps.

Coming to the Sunshine State and not seeing this amazing reserve is like skipping the Eiffel Tower in Paris! That’s why there are now oodles of Everglades airboat tours out there to make things easy. They offer to whisk you away from nearby towns and cities on classic wetland boats powered by fan engines. The journey is usually rife with wildlife (think alligators, manatees, sea turtles – there’s loads) and adrenaline (those airboats move fast!), and proves to be one of the most unforgettable experiences in the Sunshine State…

Everglades Airboat Tours from Miami  

1 – From Miami: Everglades Park Alligator & Airboat Tour

From Miami: Everglades Park Alligator & Airboat Tour

Combine science and adventure on this five-hour outing into the wilds of southern Florida. After departing the Magic City of Miami on an air-conditioned bus, you’ll hop on a hydrofoil and whiz through the famous River of Grass. There will be chances to spot sharp-toothed reptiles and rare water birds as you go. And then comes an enthralling 40-minute presentation on alligators, helping you learn all about their habitats and ecology. The day winds up with oodles of free time, so you can explore the sawgrass-fringed trails and gator exhibits just a little more.

  • View price and reviews

2 – Everglades, Miami City Tour & Bay Cruise: 1-Day, 3-Part Tour

Everglades, Miami City Tour & Bay Cruise: 1-Day, 3-Part Tour

This action-packed excursion is one of the most comprehensive day-long adventures it’s possible to find in south Florida. It lasts a whole nine hours from start to finish, and includes three individual tours in a single bout. First there’s that all-important outing to the Everglades, where you’ll come face to face with baby gators and spot sea turtles in the murky swamps. Then comes the cultural fix of Miami Beach, where Art Deco mansions mingle with the shimmering sands of the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, you hop aboard a boat to cruise over Biscayne Bay and see the houses of A-lister celebrities on Millionaire’s Row.

  • Everglades tours with City Tour and Cruise

3 – Miami: Everglades Park, Bus Tour, & Yacht Tour

Miami: Everglades Park, Bus Tour, & Yacht Tour

There’s a trio of transportation modes on the menu for travelers who opt for this multi-faceted tour. You get the day rolling on a fan-propelled airboat, which weaves and wiggles through the waters of the Everglades in search of snapping alligators, formidable crocs, storks, panthers – you name it! After that, it’s all about returning to Miami to flit between the chic homes of Coconut Grove and the tobacco-scented cantinas of Little Havana in an open-top bus. To cap it off, you get to channel your inner George Clooney with a stint on a luxury yacht, sailing up the sky-blue waters of Biscayne Bay past mansions and exclusive malls.

  • Everglades Tour + Bus & Yacht tours

4 – Everglades Indian Reservation Daytime Safari

Everglades Indian Reservation Daytime Safari

Transport yourself back to a time before Spanish galleons and American highways had come to the Sunshine State, all with this day-long jaunt through an age-old Seminole reservation. Your journey will take you to the heart of the Everglades, which means there are often moments of wonder involving a sighting of a wild alligator or multi-colored tropical bird along the way. That’s all bolstered by guided tours of traditional Indian villages in the wetlands, along with talks on the long-held traditions of Florida’s native people.

5 – Sawgrass Recreation Park: 1-Hour Airboat Night Tour

Sawgrass Recreation Park: 1-Hour Airboat Night Tour

Wait until the sun dips behind the cypresses and the mangroves before heading to the middle of the Everglades. Then, you’ll get to see this iconic American wilderness in a totally different light – literally! As twilight claims the River of Grass, the waters glow mysteriously, ripples echo off slithering snakes, and alligator’s eyes glint like jewels between the hammocks. It’s a feast for the senses witnessing the ecosystems come alive in the evening, offering sightings of unique creatures, birds, and insects that simply don’t reveal themselves during the day.

  • Everglades night tours

6 – Private Tour: Everglades Sightseeing at Big Cypress National Preserve

Private Tour: Everglades Sightseeing at Big Cypress National Preserve

Calling all budding ecologists – this six-hour tour encompasses some of the most legendary swathes of backcountry in the Sunshine State. Come morning, you’ll find your hair billowing in the humid tropical air as you cruise across Florida in an African-style safari Jeep. A dedicated naturalist guide helps to explain the unique ecosystems of the region as you conquer the Tamiami Trail road. And then you delve into the far-flung hinterlands of the Big Cypress National Preserve. That’s 729,000 acres of rare river otters and hardwood hammocks. Lastly, you take to the water and sail the sawgrasses, where visions of crocs, gators, manatees and more are all possibilities.

  • Private Evarglades Tour

7 – Everglades Swamp Walk with a Naturalist and Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour

Everglades Swamp Walk with a Naturalist and Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour

Pull on the walking boots and prepare to get muddy, because this adventure-filled expedition sees guests wade through sawgrasses and swamps in the midst of the Everglades National Park. Without the distraction of a purring airboat, you’ll hike ancient Indian trails in the company of a Florida Master Naturalist. It all makes sightings of unique wildlife all the more likely, as you hop from water-logged marshes to boardwalk trails fringed by orchids. There’s a stop for lunch in salt-washed Everglades City before breaking out to the Ten Thousand Islands, where white-sand beaches mingle with thickets of mangrove on the Mexican Gulf.

  • Book an Everglades tour with a naturalist

8 – Miami Florida Seaplane Tour With Everglades Airboat Adventure

Miami Florida Seaplane Tour With Everglades Airboat Adventure

Prepare to gasp as you see the endless sawgrass prairies of the Everglades extend out in all directions. That’s how this seaplane tour starts; by swapping Miami’s buzzing streets with eye-watering vistas of croc-snapping wetlands from above. The flyover is just the beginning, though. After landing on a riverway in the midst of the national park, you’ll transfer to an airboat and get to tour a rustic Miccosukee Indian camp. What’s more, the return journey promises visions of the Magic City from above, with the azure Atlantic Ocean rolling into the white-sand shores of Miami Beach on the horizon.

  • Everglades Airboat and Seaplane tours

9 – Everglades National Park Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show

Everglades National Park Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show

You can keep things simple by opting for this ticket-only tour of the Everglades National Park. It includes all the bucket-list experiences you’d expect of the largest tropical wetland in the United States. That means high-speed airboat circuits through the sawgrass swamps. It means glimpses of cypress forests and hardwood hammocks. And – of course – it means a chance to see those primeval alligators in their natural habitat! Departures are every 20-30 minutes and children go free.

10 – Orlando: Wild Florida Everglades Airboat & Wildlife Park

Orlando: Wild Florida Everglades Airboat & Wildlife Park

This 90-minute outing is your chance to trade the fairy-tale castle spires and rollicking rollercoasters of Orlando for a wilder slice of the Sunshine State. The starting point sits on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, less than 40 minutes’ drive from Disney World. There, you’ll board an airboat and delve into more than 4,000 acres of the Central Florida Everglades. Protected alligator sanctuaries and tropical bird aviaries are all part of the trip. You also get to hold a baby gator, and enjoy a traditional Southern BBQ – think smoky ribs, brisket, and finger-licking pulled pork.

11 – Kissimmee: 1-Hour Airboat Everglades Adventure Tour

Kissimmee: 1-Hour Airboat Everglades Adventure Tour

Fun-filled Kissimmee is a prime jump-off point for expeditions into the Central Florida Everglades. Cue this tour, which trades lively Historic Downtown Kissimmee and its old lemon depots for the cypress hammocks and swamps. First stop? Shingle Creek Regional Park. A jewel of Osceola County, it’s laden with freshwater springs and tropical forests. From there, you push on into the wet prairies, where alligators creep through the undergrowth. The whole way you get the company of an in-the-know guide, who can spin tales of American Indians, Floridian history, and Everglades ecology alike.

  • Everglades tours from Orlando

12 – Crystal River Tour with Everglades Airboat Ride and Optional Manatee Adventures

Crystal River Tour with Everglades Airboat Ride and Optional Manatee Adventures

While most Everglades airboat tours will focus on chasing the sharp-toothed gators and crocs, this one prefers the region’s gentle giants: manatees. You’re likely to meet them in the morning, because your first port of call is the turquoise spring water of the Crystal River. There, you can canoe and snorkel and swim in the company of the so-called sea cow. After that, the adrenaline is sure to flow as you shoot down the winding Withlacoochee River. And then it’s over to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. That acclaimed reserve is a Sunshine State safari mecca. It’s got red wolves, bobcats, bears, panthers, and a whole load more!

13 – Miami Day Trip with Optional Everglades Airboat Ride or Star Island Cruise

Miami Day Trip with Optional Everglades Airboat Ride or Star Island Cruise

You can add a little bit of Magic City spice to your choice of Everglades airboat tours by choosing this two-in-one outing. Lasting 15 hours in total, it’ll breeze you into the shimmering beach strips, buzzy esplanades, and cool Art Deco mansions of Miami Beach. You’ll get a chance to peer into the celebrity mansions of Millionaire’s Row. You can shop your way through the chic halls of Bayside Marketplace. But before you get city bound, the Everglades call with their misty hammocks, swamps and crocodile sanctuaries. A high-speed airboat tour promises to make that part of the trip truly unforgettable.

  • Compare all Everglades tours from Orlando

14 – Orlando: 2-Hour Airboat Everglades Tour

Orlando: 2-Hour Airboat Everglades Tour

Get ready to be immersed in the feral backcountry of Florida, as you hop on a six-seater airboat and fire up the fan engine to take you into the reserves of Shingle Creek. That sits at the northernmost end of the world-famous Everglades. It’s a region that’s known for its vine-strewn, grass-sprouting swamps, and high numbers of American alligators. Your journey will last around two hours, and the package includes a dedicated guide with local knowledge of the best wildlife hotspots.

15 – Florida Everglades Airboat Ride & Gatorland Adventure

Florida Everglades Airboat Ride & Gatorland Adventure

Gators, gators, and more gators – that’s the name of the game on this jaw-snapping, tooth-gleaming Everglades airboat tour. It all starts as you whirr on a classic Floridian airboat across the heart of the Central Florida Everglades south of Orlando. As you spin around bends in the riverways, your captain will point out rare wading birds, crocodiles, and exotic plant species. Afterwards, the compass is set for the South Orange Blossom Trail. That’s where Gatorland awaits. It’s America’s premier alligator preserve come theme park, which means the afternoon promises to be filled with heart-thumping rides on ziplines, and unforgettable encounters with primeval reptiles!

  • Everglades Airboat tours + Gatorland

16 – Orlando: Everglades Moonlight Swamp Safari Airboat Tour

Orlando: Everglades Moonlight Swamp Safari Airboat Tour

Ask any naturalist and they’ll tell you – evening is prime time for wildlife viewing. That’s where twilight Everglades airboat tours like this come in. Whisking you out to the vast Central Florida Everglades from the villas and theme parks of Orlando, it arrives just in time to watch the sunset glow orange, yellow, and rust red over the swamps. Then, the natural show begins. Bald eagles take to the skies, crocs start snapping in the reeds, and gator eyes glow like gemstones between the sawgrass. The tour also includes a jaunt to Hawk Swamp boardwalk, where you’ll explore an untouched Floridian cypress hammock.

  • Everglades night tours from Orlando

Everglades Airboat Tours from Fort Myers

17 – Small-Group Tour: Everglades Adventure Day Trip from Greater Fort Myers/Naples Area

Small-Group Tour: Everglades Adventure Day Trip from Greater Fort Myers/Naples Area

Venturing into the Florida Everglades from the west means venturing into the wilder and more unexplored portions of the region. It also means going off the beaten track to vast Big Cypress National Preserve, home to babbling springs, mist-filled bayous, and hammocks of old-growth hardwoods. That’s precisely where this expedition leads groups. In all, the trip takes over nine hours. It encompasses the Western Everglades and their gator-speckled swamps, along with coastal corners of the Everglades National Park, which come with gleaming lagoons and mangrove forests filled with manatees.

  • Everglades tours from Fort Myers

18 – Everglades Family Adventure Tour from Greater Fort Myers/Naples Area

Everglades Family Adventure Tour from Greater Fort Myers/Naples Area

There’s something for the whole crew to enjoy on this family-orientated expedition into the Western Everglades. Airboats are the transport of choice as you start the day hurtling over the murky waterways through blankets of grass prairie and swamp. Before hopping on board, you’ll get to learn all about the local ecosystems and their menagerie of tropical wildlife. Trained guides help you spy out turtles and eagles and more as you go, while up-close encounters with alligators are all but guaranteed!

Everglades Airboat Tours from Fort Lauderdale

19 – Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance

Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance

Enjoy a fun-filled airboat ride speeding up to 40 miles per hour. Watch for alligator and local wildlife while your guide tells you everything about the park. Finish your tour by visiting the reptile exhibition with the opportunity to hold a baby alligator! This tour is a fast and cheap option that can be included in a 1-hour slot.

  • Everglades Tours from Fort Lauderdale

20 – Everglades Airboat Tour & Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Show

Everglades Airboat Tour & Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Show

A ride on an air-powered boat is not the only fun thing to do in the Everglades. Of course, this tour includes an airboat ride with a duration of 60 minutes. You will then complete your tour to the park by attending the show of the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue team.

airboat tour with exhibit entrance

💝 EXTRA SAVINGS WHEN YOU PURCHASE AN ADVENTURE PACKAGE! CLICK HERE!! 💝

Sawgrass Recreation Park

Gator Nights Airboat Rides

Discover The Florida Everglades At Night!

Quick Details

Duration: 60 minutes

Note: Tour requires a ten passenger minimum from all reservations to operate on each tour date.

What’s Included:

  • 60-minute join-in nighttime airboat adventure, airboat captain gratuity
  • Exhibit entrances (during daytime business hours)
  • Ear protection
  • Complimentary parking onsite

Everglades Nighttime Airboat Adventure

Must Have Reservation

Come visit Sawgrass Recreation Park to see the best of the Florida Everglades! For a truly unique Everglades experience, sign up for Sawgrass’ newest attraction – Gator Nights! Come and join one of our experienced captains as they take you and other guests across the Everglades at night! This tour includes an extended one-hour (60 minutes) nighttime airboat adventure in The Everglades. Tour meets at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday nights, for a departure time at 8:30 p.m.

You get to visit exclusive locations in the Everglades and are able to see and hear a variety of reptiles, insects, and amphibians. Our airboat captains use flashlights to search the waters for the telltale glow of the alligator’s eyes. Hear the sounds of the wildlife and native reptiles as you sneak through the grass on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Advance reservations are required for this Everglades airboat tour.

Guests who book our nighttime adventures are always welcome to visit us during the daytime hours to experience the exhibit areas as well. They are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. To gain entrance you need to bring a copy of your voucher for your nighttime adventure along with a valid ID.

Children are allowed on board the airboats, children ages three and under are free Children ages six and under are required to wear a life jacket for safety. The Sawgrass Recreation Park Tour is suitable for children of all ages.

Tour requires a ten passenger minimum to operate on each tour date. Guests will be notified on the day of the tour if we have not met the minimum or if the tour is unable to operate due to inclement weather. In either case- full refunds will be given. Please call if you have any questions.

Related Airboat Adventures

Red eye exclusive nighttime airboat adventure.

Looking for a private Everglades Airboat Tour through Florida’s incredible swamp at night? Look no further than our Red Eye Exclusive Adventure!

Private Sunrise Airboat Adventure

An adventure like no other. A private tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park for the early Florida sunrise hours when the Everglades are showcasing its raw beauty!

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  • Private Tours
  • Restaurant & Giftshop
  • Buy Your Tickets

Rated “Florida’s Best” by the Miami Herald Learn the secrets of the Everglades… America’s most unique and fragile ecosystem.

    we offer two types of tours, shared 40 minutes   (no reservation needed) and private 1, 1.5 and 2 hours ( reservation required ),     our professional airboat guides will take you on a personalized, educational airboat tour.,     we open daily at 9.00am until 5:00pm last boat departs at 4:30pm. we first go into the vast open saw grass where you will see why the everglades are called the “river of grass” you will travel by airboat through a hardwood hammock (a small island of solid ground in the “river of grass”), into the e verglades national park stopping at alligator holes and seeing the abundance of ‘glades wildlife. see the purple gallanule voted the most colorful bird in florida and the endangered everglade snail kite as well as herons, grackles, turtles, raccoons and other everglades residents the everglades are a truly unique and vibrant environment which you can only experience first hand unless you brought your hip waders, a private airboat tour is the best way to see it (and much drier, too),     after this fascinating and educational airboat tour, relax and enjoy a taste of ‘down home’ cooking, everglades-style . the coopertown restaurant offers such delicacies as frog legs, ‘gator tail, catfish and more all served in a friendly country manner that is distinctly “floridian”. “belly up” to the bar and meet the folks of coopertown learn some of the fascinating history of the area, and check out the guest book to see who else has passed through and enjoyed a ride on a coopertown airboat take a closer look at these fascinating creatures in our alligator exhibit what a cute little guy popular enough to have a college mascot named for it a ride on an airboat is the best way to check out the rest of the gator population in coopertown, adult airboat tour : $29.95 child airboat tour : 18.95, $8.00 everglades national park entrance fee 16 years and older..

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Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance

  • Miami, Florida

Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance

  • 261 reviews

Duration: 30 min.

Description.

  • Enjoy a compact, informative 30-minute airboat ride, with photo opportunities
  • Catch a glimpse of endangered wildlife
  • Get to touch a baby alligator in the reptile exhibit

Guiding languages

  • Not Included

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Not included, when should i book.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

Cancellations

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.

Everglades Safari Park Admission Tickets

Home > Tours > Everglades Safari Park Admission Tickets

Feefo Rating Everglades Safari Park Admission Tickets

Enjoy the relaxing and impeccable views of Everglades National Park on a comfortable, private airboat ride! On this eco-friendly vessel, an experienced tour guide will lead you through the park’s natural wonders and incomparable ecosystem, as you take sights of the native and striking wildlife that dwell in it. All tours will include our famous airboat rides, the popular alligator wildlife show, as well as a walking trail full of crocodilian exhibits. Welcome, and enjoy the wild side of southern Florida!

  • Enjoy a 30-minute airboat ride across the prehistoric swamplands
  • Take in the profound beauty and serenity of this massive national park
  • Discover the amazingness and uniqueness of the animals in the Exotic Wildlife Exhibit
  • Exhibit entrance
  • Ear protection
  • Reptiles, exotic wildlife and "Swamp" yard exhibits
  • Local taxes
  • Transportation to the park
  • Optional gratuities
  • Food and beverages
  • National Park Fee (starting Jan 1, 2023)

Please Note

  • $8 National Park Fee is no longer included with this ticket
  • Please note hours of operation are subject to change based on seasons or inclement weather. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Special schedule for December 23 & 26 and January 1: tours will start just after 9am until 3:30pm with a final tour at 5:00pm when the exhibits close. December 24th: Tours will start just after 9am and will run every 20-30 minutes until the final tour at 2:00pm when the exhibits close.
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 6 are required to wear a life jacket for safety.
  • Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 100% service charge. No-show is not refundable.
  • Infants 8 months or younger are NOT allowed to ride the airboat

When would you like to go?

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Image with Rate from Everglades Safari Park Admission Tickets

Pickup points

Not booked your hotel yet? Hotel not listed? Staying with a friend/family?

Don't worry, you can give us that information when you add this item to your cart.

Pickup Info

No hotel pickup included Park address: 26700 SW 8th St, Miami, Florida 33194

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airboat tour with exhibit entrance

Localbird for hosts

  • Everglades Tour

Everglades Airboat Night Tour

By Rocio

Good for groups

Duration 1 hour, suitable for children, about your experience.

Enjoy Gator Nights; an airboat adventure deep into the swamp where our experienced captain will use a spotlight to seek out the creatures of the Everglades!

  • 60-minute Nighttime air-boat ride
  • Learn about the Seminole Tribe
  • Enjoy the Exotic Wildlife Exhibit and the magic of the Everglades at night

From: $  30.00

Prices do not include taxes & charges.

A 60 Minute night-time airboat adventure through the swamps of the Everglades. This tour includes exclusive evening locations where you can experience the unique sounds of the wildlife and see the reptiles and amphibians native to these grasslands on a once-in-a-lifetime experience while our airboat captains will use flashlights to search the waters for the telltale glow of the alligator’s eyes.

Meeting point📍 Sawgrass Recreation Park at 8:00 PM Note : Complete location will be sent after booking

  • We require a minimum of 10 guests per tour for us to operate (Shared tour)
  • Must arrive at 8:00 PM, so we depart at 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
  • If you need the tour in Spanish, please inform us 48 hours in advance.
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 6 are required to wear a life jacket for safety.

$55.00 USD Adult 12+ $30.00 USD Child 4-11

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Rocio

I’m thrilled to be managing the Miami extension of Gray Line, a legend in the sightseeing and tourism world. For over 100 YEARS, Gray Line has been instrumental in creating and operating some of the most incredible travel experiences across the planet. In Miami, we’ve curated a diverse range of tours and activities that showcase the best Miami has to offer. With our legacy and high quality experiences, we’re here to make your trip unforgettable.

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IMAGES

  1. Everglades Airboat Tour + Park Entrance

    airboat tour with exhibit entrance

  2. 20 Best Everglades Airboat Tours

    airboat tour with exhibit entrance

  3. Miami: Everglades Safari Park Airboat Tour and Park Entrance

    airboat tour with exhibit entrance

  4. Mangrove Maze Airboat Tour

    airboat tour with exhibit entrance

  5. 11 Best Everglades Airboat Tours Worth The Money (2023)

    airboat tour with exhibit entrance

  6. Everglades Airboat Tour + Transportation

    airboat tour with exhibit entrance

VIDEO

  1. This exploration yacht is AMAZING

  2. Bryson's Airboat Tours

  3. airBaltic #A220 at Farnborough Airshow 2022

  4. Airboat Tour. @GatorParkMiami

  5. Airboat tour in the Everglades

  6. Big man & MOMA at Coopertown Airboat Tours animal exhibit 2023 #Shorts

COMMENTS

  1. Sawgrass Recreation Park

    Guided Everglades Tours & Airboat Rides in Weston, FL. View All Tours. Reservations are required for all tours as we can often sell out. Tickets can either be purchased in advance on our website or guests can call us at 954-389-0202 to hold a reservation time as well. Enhance your General Admission Airboat Adventure.

  2. Everglades: Sawgrass Park Day Time Airboat Tour & Exhibits

    January 19, 2024. G. - Germany November 24, 2023 - Verified booking. Airboat tour as described 40 minutes. Unfortunately no alligators seen in the wild, but a few rare bird species. Guide was nice and answered all questions. The exhibition was very, very small, like a tiny mini zoo with 3-4 "enclosures".

  3. 15 Best Everglades Airboat Tours

    8. 30-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance Source: GagliardiImages / shutterstock Florida Everglades. Accompanied by an experienced captain, your airboat ride around the Florida Everglades will whisk by and you'll be astounded at all the beautiful nature and wonderful wildlife.

  4. Everglades Airboat Tours

    Explore Everglades National Park on an airboat tour! Choose from public and private tours. Great for the whole family! Book your tour online today. Skip to ... Exhibit Entrances (Reptile, Glades Exhibit, and Exotic Wildlife), and Ear Protection and there is no charge for parking. Book Now Includes pick up and drop off in Miami From $ 75. All Ages

  5. Everglades Alligator Farm

    A Small Bite of Everglades Alligator Farm. South Florida's oldest alligator farm, the Everglades Alligator Farm, is located near the entrance of Everglades National Park and contains more than 2,000 alligators. A trip to the Everglades Alligator Farm includes an exciting airboat tour, an alligator show, and an alligator feeding demonstration!

  6. Sawgrass Recreation Park

    The ticket includes a 40-minute airboat tour, entrance to all of our fascinating exhibits, and ear protection to ensure your comfort during the airboat ride. ... The exhibit area closes with a final airboat adventure departing at 5 pm. The Sawgrass Recreation Park remains closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The final boat ride departs at ...

  7. Red Eye Exclusive Nighttime Airboat Adventure

    Our airboat captains will use flashlights to search the waters for the telltale glow of the alligator's eyes. Hear the sounds of the wildlife and native reptiles as you sneak through the grass on a one in a lifetime adventure. Advance reservations are required. Tours can be scheduled from 6-9 p.m. any night of the week.

  8. Everglades: Sawgrass Park Day Time Airboat Tour & Exhibits

    Glide across the Florida Everglades on a guided airboat tour. Get a unique view of this natural wonder and visit exhibit areas where you can interact with local and exotic wildlife.

  9. Home

    Book Online Now. 239-695-4400. Take Mangrove and Grassland Everglades Airboat Tours, Swamp Buggy Rides, see Live Alligator Shows and visit our Animal Sanctuary.

  10. Everglades Airboat Rides & Tours

    The Original Eco-Experience Airboat Tour Take an unforgettable journey on an airboat ride through Florida's Everglades National Park Join our expert captains for 30 to 40 minutes of educational family fun in the Florida Everglades. Learn about the unique plants and animals that live in your very own backyard.

  11. Sawgrass Park: Private 1-Hour Airboat Adventure Tour

    Sawgrass Park: Private 1-Hour Airboat Adventure Tour. 4.6 / 5 69 reviews. Activity provider: Sawgrass Recreation Park. Add to wishlist. View all 10 images. Enjoy a thrilling airboat tour of the Florida Everglades and get to see some of the richest wildlife in the country. Take the chance to visit a reptile exhibit and touch a baby alligator.

  12. Everglades Airboat Rides

    South Florida Adventure Pass. Enjoy unlimited admission May 15th to September 30th 2023 and to all the participating parks! Climb aboard our Everglades airboat rides and tour through Florida's Sawgrass Recreation Park. Your ride is guided by one of our experienced captains. Book now!

  13. 9 Best Everglades Airboat and Swamp Tours for 2024

    Marsh Landing Adventures - 90-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour. Price: Adults from $65; kids from $60. Duration: 1.5 hours. For wildlife lovers who want more than half an hour to experience the ...

  14. Ft. Lauderdale Everglades Tour: Sawgrass Recreation Park Review

    Packages: 1) Adventure Package, including 30-minute airboat tour admission, a bottle of water, ear protection (it gets loud on the water!), photo keychain, exhibit entrance, and a T-shirt of choice. $50/adult, $30/child 2) Deluxe Adventure Package, which includes everything from the adventure package, plus a gator tooth, a $15 credit to the ...

  15. 20 Best Everglades Airboat Tours

    19 - Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance. Enjoy a fun-filled airboat ride speeding up to 40 miles per hour. Watch for alligator and local wildlife while your guide tells you everything about the park. Finish your tour by visiting the reptile exhibition with the opportunity to hold a baby alligator!

  16. Everglades Night Tour

    Come join one of our experienced captains as they take you and other guests across the everglades at night! This tour includes an extended one hour (60 minute) nighttime airboat adventure. Tour meets at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday nights for a departure time of 8:30 p.m. You will get to visit exclusive locations in the everglades and will ...

  17. Miami: Original Everglades Airboat Tour & Alligator Exhibit

    Full description. Stop by Coopertown Everglades, Airboat Tour's and visit the Home of the original airboat tours since 1945. You can visit with big man our 14 foot alligator and watch out animal show under an authentic Indian cheekie. Then we will depart on a guided Airboat Tour by one of our guides.

  18. Gator Nights Airboat Rides

    Come and join one of our experienced captains as they take you and other guests across the Everglades at night! This tour includes an extended one-hour (60 minutes) nighttime airboat adventure in The Everglades. Tour meets at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday nights, for a departure time at 8:30 p.m. You get to visit exclusive locations in the ...

  19. Everglades Safari Park Admission Tickets

    Everglades Safari Park Admission Tickets. Explore nature's River of Grass on an Eco-Adventure tour or on a small private airboat. Our experienced tour guides will describe you the wonders of this unique ecosystem and the native and exotic wildlife that inhabit it. All tours will include our world famous airboat rides, alligator wildlife show ...

  20. Tours

    America's most unique and fragile ecosystem. We offer two types of tours, shared 40 minutes (no reservation needed) and private 1, 1.5 and 2 hours ( reservation required ) Our professional airboat guides will take you on a personalized, educational airboat tour. We open daily at 9.00am until 5:00pm last boat departs at 4:30pm.

  21. Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance

    Budget tours to Miami, Florida Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance for your vacation. Book your Miami, Florida Everglades: Sawgrass Park Airboat Tour with Exhibit Entrance trip with Clic A Tour.

  22. Everglades Safari Park Admission Tickets

    Enjoy the relaxing and impeccable views of Everglades National Park on a comfortable, private airboat ride! On this eco-friendly vessel, an experienced tour guide will lead you through the park's natural wonders and incomparable ecosystem, as you take sights of the native and striking wildlife that dwell in it. All tours will include our famous airboat rides, the popular alligator wildlife ...

  23. Everglades Airboat Night Tour • Localbird

    A 60 Minute night-time airboat adventure through the swamps of the Everglades. This tour includes exclusive evening locations where you can experience the unique sounds of the wildlife and see the reptiles and amphibians native to these grasslands on a once-in-a-lifetime experience while our airboat captains will use flashlights to search the waters for the telltale glow of the alligator's eyes.