As a portal into the natural world, the Florida Everglades go beyond what any amount of imagination can – and by adding in the thrill of an airboat ride, you’re assured memories to last a lifetime.
(Photo: Wild Florida Airboat Tours / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Located in central Florida’s Osceola County, just south of Orlando, the city of Kissimmee is a major gateway to the remarkable wetlands of Everglades National Park. This world-famous natural wonder is home to an abundance of wildlife and attracts huge numbers of visitors each year, many of whom chose to glide over the swampland aboard a captivating airboat. We’ve picked out five of the best Kissimmee airboat and swamp tours below.
Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket
For many of the airboat operators in the Central Everglades, urban development has gradually reached and surrounded their base of operations. However, further south from Kissimmee, tours around the wild Cypress Lake – such as this one – are as yet untouched by any of that. From start to finish, this 30 to 60-minute airboat tour allows you to be out in the wild and over the water, without having to worry about navigation. As with all airboat rides, there’s a good chance you’ll get wet, particularly if you have a cheeky airboat operator, who likes to take the airboat for a spin. Literally! This tour also includes entry to the Wild Florida Wildlife Park, a drive-through safari with giraffes, camels and zebras. From $35 per person.
Kissimmee: Airboat Everglades Adventure Tour
(Photo: Marsh Landing Adventures LLC / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
There’s so much to see and experience out in the Florida Everglades that many people prefer longer airboat adventures. And naturally, the longer you go, the deeper into the wilderness you can travel. This hour-long airboat ride focuses on the swamps around Shingle Creek, not only providing time to explore the natural beauty, but also to learn more about the Native Americans who coexisted with the region for centuries. You will also hear about the first European settlers and their efforts to carve trails and towns into the wetlands here. Nowadays, part of the allure of an airboat tour is the stark contrast to the urban sprawl that dominates Central Florida between Tampa and Orlando. This airboat tour operates daily. From $69 per person.
Boggy Creek Airboat Ride
One of the best-value tours on this list is the Boggy Creek airboat. It’s ideal for those who want to experience the wind on your face as you glide over the water at speeds of up to 45mph, without being exposed out there for too long. Coast past cypress swamps and tall grasses, on the lookout for wildlife like alligators, turtles and birds. For optimal wildlife viewing, morning tours are best during the warmer months, while in colder months, afternoon tours are better. Life vests and hearing protection are provided to each person, as is the case with every tour on this list, and tours depart regularly. Please note that this particular airboat tour does not operate on Mondays. From $41 per person.
Everglades Airboat Tour near Orlando Florida
(Photo: Orlando Fishing Guides and Florida Airboat Tours / Courtesy Viator)
For many people, the longer the airboat tour, the better. And while many of the registered Florida airboats only head out into the wilds for 30 minutes to an hour, this excellent option is ideal for those who just can’t get enough, running for up to 1.5 hours. Head out onto the marshes in the search for gators, turtles and eagles with your guide, who’ll be able to offer greater insight into the region’s ecology and social history, as well as offering a trained eye when it comes to spotting creatures in their native environment. Better yet, while most airboat tours often take larger groups of 17, this one is capped at six people, so provides a more personal service. From $90 per person.
Boggy Creek Airboats Adventures Night Tour
The Everglades offer a magical experience at all times of day, but perhaps never more so than after dark. This one-hour airboat night tour will see you and your small group guided by spotlight as you seek out alligators and other nocturnal creatures as they go about their business in their natural habitat. As you speed across the murky waters, you’ll reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, before you slow down so as not to deter any lurking animals nearby. You’ll return to dry land with memories to cherish. From $81 per person.