Resting on the southern tip of Florida in the United States, the Everglades National Park is a wetlands preserve.
From alligators to swamps and marshes, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in the Everglades.
But the Florida Everglades can be a dangerous place to adventure to alone.
A guided tour of the area by airboat allows you to enjoy the amazing wildlife without feeling threatened.
The airboats are specifically designed to navigate the swamps and shallow waters of the region.
Dive deep into this intricate Everglades ecosystem with our 18 top airboat tours to see Alligators.
Airboat Alligator Tours near Miami
1. Miami Combo Tour: City Sightseeing, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride
Discover Miami, the Everglades and other top sights of southern Florida on this tour.
Hop aboard the double-decker bus to begin your excursion.
You will ride through downtown Miami, South Beach and Little Havana.
The boat tour will have you cruising Biscayne Bay.
Next, head over to the Everglades National Park for an airboat safari and watch the alligators and crocodiles.
Included are round-trip hotel transfers.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 9 hour tour.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Miami City tour, Biscayne Bay cruise and Everglades Airboat safari.
- Free time to wander through the Everglades and explore Alligator exhibits.
2. Full-Day Everglades Naturalist-Led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, and Airboat
Explore the Everglades National Park with a Florida Master Naturalist on this guided tour.
Go on a cruise on the Ten Thousand Islands looking out for dolphins and manatees.
After that, go hiking through the Fakahatchee Strand’s royal palms and bald cypress trees.
Next, ride an airboat to the remote tree island village of Miccosukee to watch alligators lurking in the Florida sun.
Round-trip transfers are included from the airport, hotels or cruise ships.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 9 hour tour.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Entry to Everglades National Park, Miccosukee Indian Village, Big Cypress National Preserve and Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park & Boardwalk.
- Beverages, lunch and snacks.
3. VIP Tour at Everglades Holiday Park
Combine an airboat excursion in the Everglades with an alligator show on this tour.
The show is courtesy of the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Team made famous by Animal Planet.
This excursion will begin in Ft. Lauderdale where you will meet your expert guide.
Tick off the best highlights of the Everglades as you go along.
Go racing through the River of Grass.
Listen to insights and commentary on the local wildlife and environment.
Learn about the biology and behavior of alligators.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 4 hour tour.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Entry to Everglades Holiday Park.
- Everglades Airboat Tour and Alligator Presentation.
4. Private Everglades Nature Tours
See the Everglades like never before on this private airboat tour.
Choose from multiple departure times that fit your schedule.
Once in the water, enjoy the undivided attention of your private guide.
The airboat will easily navigate the twisting river.
This will provide plenty of opportunities to see wildlife such as crocodiles and alligators.
On your way, you will see the famous River of Grass.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 2 hour tour.
- Live Commentary from Expert Guide.
- Private Everglades Tour via Airboat.
5. Airboat Ride and Nature Walk with Naturalist in Everglades National Park
Discover the Everglades with a naturalist guide on this half-day tour.
The tour combines a nature walk and airboat ride.
Learn about the ecosystems of the area as you spot alligators and local bird species.
While on board an airboat, you’ll be racing through the swamps.
Learn the history of the local Miccosukee Indians.
Also, visit a remote tree island village.
Round-trip transfers from your hotel or Ft. Lauderdale port or Miami are included.
For a more personalized experience, this tour is limited to a small group.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 5.5 hour tour.
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off.
- Entry to Everglades National Park.
- Experienced Naturalist Guide.
6. Everglades Safari Park
Discover the great outdoors of the Everglades on this adventure tour.
Kick start your day by traveling to the Everglades National Park to meet your expert guide.
Get on board your airboat and cruise through the wetlands.
Your guide will provide commentary on the wonders of this unique ecosystem.
On your journey through the marsh, look out for alligators, turtles and the unique bird life.
After the airboat tour, enjoy a fascinating alligator and wildlife show.
Round-trip transfers from Miami are included.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 3.5 hour tour.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Entry to Everglades Safari Park.
- Alligator and Wildlife Show.
- Luggage Storage on the Bus.
- Sunscreen, Illustrated Map and Bottled Water.
Book Tour Package Official site
7. Sawgrass Recreation Park
Explore Sawgrass Recreation Park, the greatest airboat attraction in Ft. Lauderdale.
Go on a thrilling airboat tour through the Everglades.
Exhibits include scheduled shows where you can hold an alligator.
You can also see magnificent animals such as the Black Leopard and Florida Panther.
If you need a rest during the day, there are picnic areas and camping spots.
The grounds are ideal for hosting birthday parties as well.
Exclusive year-round private and nighttime tours by airboat are available.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 30 min Airboat Ride.
- Entry to Everglades National Park and Sawgrass Recreation Park.
Book Tour Private Tour Official site
8. Florida Everglades Night Airboat Tour near Fort Lauderdale
Discover the Everglades and Sawgrass Recreation Park on this nighttime airboat tour.
This exciting tour is the best way to experience the unique ecosystem of the Everglades by night.
Your excursion begins at the Sawgrass Recreation Park where you’ll board your airboat.
Race along the grassy waters at speeds of up to forty miles per hour.
Be on the lookout for alligators, turtles, fish and wading birds.
Included is daytime access to the Sawgrass Recreation Park and admission to their exhibits.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 1 hour Airboat Ride.
- Entry to the Everglades and Sawgrass Recreation Park.
- Ear Protection.
- Gratuities.
9. Miami and the Keys Explorer Pass
Discover Florida with the Miami and the Keys Explorer Pass.
This pass is your best bet for maximum flexibility and savings while touring Miami, Key West, Ft. Lauderdale and more.
Choose from 3, 4 or 5 popular activities or attractions and enjoy savings of up to 40%.
You could go on an Everglades airboat ride, visit Sawgrass Recreation Park or go to the Miami Seaquarium for guaranteed alligator sightings.
Every pass is viable for thirty days after you first use it.
In addition, you don’t require voucher redemption.
You can simply save your pass on your mobile device and go.
What’s included on this pass?
- Discounts and value-added offers at select retailers and restaurants.
- Digital guidebook with a map and operation hours for attractions.
Airboat Alligator Tours near Orlando
10. Crystal River Tour with Everglades Airboat Ride and Optional Manatee Adventures
Explore a natural manatee habitat in Florida on this guided cruise and airboat tour.
Your excursion will begin with a boat ride along the Crystal River.
You will then snorkel and swim in a spot famous for manatee sightings.
After that, go on a thrilling airboat tour on the Withlacoochee River.
Also explore the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
This is one of the best places to watch the manatees along with alligators, panthers and bears.
An expert guide will provide commentary along the way.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 12 hour tour.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Entry to Everglades National Park.
- Breakfast and Lunch.
11. Kennedy Space Center and Everglades Airboat Safari from Orlando
Combine 2 popular Florida tours in a single day on this excursion from Orlando.
Your tour will begin with the Central Florida Everglades Airboat Safari.
Discover swampland and spot alligators and other wildlife on a thrilling airboat ride.
After that you will tour the exhibits of the Kennedy Space Center for six hours.
You can also explore NASA’s launch headquarters and the Space Shuttle Atlantis among others.
Round-trip hotel transportation from Orlando is included.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 11 hour tour.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Entry to NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Twister Airboat Rides.
- Expert Guide.
12. Small Group Florida Everglades Airboat Tour
Discover the Everglades in an intimate way on this small group excursion.
Your tour will begin when you meet your captain and board an airboat.
This is the best way to traverse the swamps of the Everglades.
Race through the wild cattails and gator grasses while looking out for local wildlife.
Your captain will provide live commentary along the way.
The tour is limited to 6 people for a more intimate experience in the swamps.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 1 hour tour.
- Entry to the Everglades National Park.
- Live Commentary from Expert Guide.
- Small Group Tour Limited to 8.
13. Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park (with transfer)
Explore a wild Florida swamp on this airboat tour from Orlando.
Your excursion will begin when you board your air-conditioned coach.
You will then exit the city for the Everglades.
On arrival, you will enjoy a thrilling taste of this unique Florida landscape.
Explore the wetlands which are home to bald eagles and wild alligators.
Your guide will help you spot the native wildlife in their natural environment.
Also tour the Wild Florida animal park which shelters more than 200 exotic animals from around the world.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 7 hour tour.
- Pickup and drop-off from select spots.
- Entry to Wild Florida Animal Park.
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
14. Miami Day Trip and Florida Everglades Airboat Ride
Experience two of the most popular destinations in Florida on this full-day tour.
Go on an airboat adventure through the Everglades National Park as you watch out for alligators and other wildlife.
After that, head over to the beaches of Miami for some shopping at Bayside Marketplace.
Upgrade your tour to enjoy a leisurely cruise up Biscayne Bay.
You could also pass through the Art Deco district of South Beach.
Included is a sumptuous packed continental breakfast.
Pickup and drop-off is from select locations.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 15 hour tour.
- Pickup and drop-off at select locations.
- Entry to Everglades National Park.
- Expert Guide.
- Packed Breakfast.
15. Go Orlando Pass
Experience multiple attractions in Orlando, Miami and central Florida with the Go Orlando Pass.
The Go Orlando Pass allows admission to 28 attractions in Florida and is available in 2, 3 and 5 day increments.
Access popular sites such as the Kennedy Space Center, Gatorland and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.
The Pass is valid for 14 days from when you first use it.
If you’re planning to visit multiple attractions, the card will save you some money.
For alligator sightings, you can visit Gatorland, go on a 30-minute boat tour of the Everglades, or feed alligators near a gold course,
What’s included on this pass?
- Admission to 28 Attractions.
- Entry to the Kennedy Space Center and more.
- Valid for 14 Days.
16. Gulf of Mexico Airboat Ride and Dolphin Quest from Homosassa
Explore the waters of the Gulf of Mexico on this excursion from Homosassa.
Your adventure will begin at the tour office in Homosassa where you’ll meet your captain and eco-tour guide.
Get on board the airboat and take a seat.
Take off and race through backwater salt marshes and estuaries.
Watch out for dolphins, fish and birds as you glide effortlessly across the waters.
Cruise into the clear, shallow waters of the gulf that are dotted with islands.
At the end of the tour, you’ll have a better appreciation of the watery Florida environment.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 1 hour tour.
- Expert Guide.
- Bottled Water.
17. St Johns River Airboat Safari
Explore the freshwater tributaries of the scenic St. John’s River on this airboat tour.
Race over the watery Florida landscape.
The airboat will enable you to reach areas that are inaccessible to larger and deeper vessels.
Snake through a maze of shallow waterways watching out for alligators, manatees, snakes and birds.
Listen to your guide narrate the story of an infamous pirate ship that sank in the River.
Personal headsets are included to ensure you get the entertaining commentary loud and clear.
What’s included on this airboat tour?
- 1.5 hour tour.
- Expert Guide.
- Live commentary via headsets.
