There’s a lot more to Orlando than Disneyland and Universal Studios. The fact that there are 12 theme parks to choose from makes it a great destination for families; however, it’s also a great spot for getting out into nature, shopping, and pampering yourself in a hotel.
One of the most interesting ways to see what Orlando has on offer is by doing an airboat tour. For those who aren’t entirely sure what that is, it’s a flat-bottomed boat powered by an aircraft propeller. They’re a great form of transport to use in marshy areas, such as those found in one of the biggest attractions close to the city – Florida’s Everglades National Park, home to alligators, turtles, manatees, and many more native species.
We’ve selected the 15 best airboat tours in Orlando, so without further ado, here they are.
1. Orlando: 90-Minute Airboat Everglades Adventure Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis 1 ½ hour tour is a great option to get yourself out into nature. See what Florida was like before the state’s swamps were swallowed up by urban development and the construction of Orlando’s world-famous theme parks.
Travel through the world’s largest living estuary on a six-seater stadium boat. With this style of vessel, there’s no seat where you don’t get a good view. Aim to spot bald eagles and the American alligator.
You’ll get ear protection, bimini tops to protect you from the sun’s rays, a life jacket, and rainwear, meaning that your airboat ride will be as comfortable as possible.
2. Kennedy Space Center and Airboat Safari Tour
Source: Linda Moon / shutterstockA great choice for families, this tour combines a visit to the world-famous Kennedy Space Center with a half hour airboat ride on the St John’s River.
Enjoy round-trip travel from your meeting point in Orlando to the Space Center, where you’ll learn and have loads of fun at the same time. Not only will you get to stand inside the launch control room, but you’ll also see the biggest rocket ever to take flight – the Saturn 5. Best of all, you’ll have a chance to ride the Shuttle Launch Simulator ride. Be prepared for a lot of shaking!
After you’re tired of exploring outer space, it’s time for a ½ hour airboat ride on the St John’s River, where you’ll have a chance to see indigenous flora and fauna. If you’re really lucky, you might even see the most famous resident – the American alligator.
3. Wild About Florida Full-Day Tour from Orlando
Source: getyourguide.comThis six-hour tour is perfect for anyone who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and see Florida’s wild side. Complimentary round-trip transportation will take you to the Everglades, where you’ll spend an hour on an airboat discovering plants, eagles, and maybe even a gator or two.
A delicious BBQ lunch awaits you before you head to Wild Florida Wildlife Park to ogle at sloths, lemurs, and many more animals. If you’re feeling brave, why not try feeding an alligator or having your picture taken with one? Then it’s back to the meeting point in the transport, which is included as part of this great day out.
4. Everglades and Miami Adventure Tour from Orlando
Source: GagliardiImages / shutterstockThe perfect way to see the best of what Orlando and the surrounding areas have to offer, this generous 16-hour tour takes in several exciting attractions and will leave you feeling like you’ve learned a lot about the Sunshine State.
Get picked up from either the meeting point or your Orlando accommodation in the morning and eat your complimentary breakfast en route. Then it’s a whirlwind 30-minute boat tour through the Everglades, where you’ll be able to spot the endemic flora and fauna.
Following that, you’ll head to Miami to enjoy a variety of exciting activities, including free time at the Bayside Marketplace Mall, a boat ride on the Island Queen, and some time on the city’s famous South Beach. After an exhilarating and fun day, it’s back to Orlando on the coach.
5. Swim with Florida Manatees: Swim, Snorkel and Boat Day Tour
Not only will this trip see you riding an airboat through the Florida Everglades, but you’ll also be able to swim and snorkel with one of Florida’s most famous residents, the manatee.
Spend the morning on a boat cruise of the Crystal River, where you can choose to snorkel or swim with the sea cow. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to interact with the creatures. After lunch, which is included in the trip, you’ll learn more about the state’s wildlife in a fully narrated airboat tour. End the day with a visit to one of Florida’s hidden gems, Homosassa State Wildlife Park.
Don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience to swim with one of the world’s most gentle creatures.
6. Orlando: 2-Hour Airboat Everglades Tour
Source: getyourguide.comA great way to see Florida’s wild side, this two-hour airboat tour takes you right to the start of the world’s largest living estuary at Shingle Creek. The six-seater stadium style boat ensures everyone gets a great seat, so get snapping some pictures of the flora and fauna, including the native American alligator.
You’ll learn about the human side of the Everglades too, as your guide regales you with stories about the early settlers and Native Americans who carved trails throughout the marshland and swamps.
You’ll be supplied with everything you need for a comfortable and safe trip – life vests, ear protection, rain protection, and bimini-tops to protect you from the sun. We recommended you bring suncream too.
7. 1-Hour Airboat Sunset Tour (Seasonal)
This incredible airboat adventure is only made more memorable and exciting by the fact that you’ll be doing it at sunset when the pinks and oranges merge into the world’s largest living estuary and reflect onto the swamp’s waters and plant life.
Don’t forget your camera on this trip; you’ll surely get beautiful snaps of the mesmerizing sky. If you’re fortunate, you’ll spot some of the amazing animals that call this place home, such as the bald eagle, and the American alligator.
You’ll be provided with a life jacket, ear protection, rain protection, and bimini-tops.
This tour is only available from October until April.
8. Moonlight Swamp Safari: 1-Hour Airboat Tour
Source: getyourguide.comA great opportunity to see the Everglades’ nocturnal wildlife, this three-hour tour is not to be missed. You’ll head deep into the 100,000-acre site on your tour and have the opportunity to see endangered birdlife, plants, and trees – and, of course, gators.
After your airboat tour, you’ll be whisked to the Wild Florida Wildlife Park {your admission fee has already taken care of). Here, you’ll see the alligators in captivity and learn how to treat these creatures at the gator-handling show. There’s more to the park than gators though; a tropical-bird aviary, zebras, and watusis can be found here.
Round off your trip by ambling along the Hawk Swamp boardwalk before heading back to Orlando.
9. Orlando Everglades Half-Day Tour with VIP Option
Source: getyourguide.comThis four-hour tour will ensure you experience what most people come to Orlando for: an airboat ride, admission to a gator park, a delicious BBQ lunch, and even a chance to show how brave you are by getting a photo with an alligator.
First, it’s a one-hour airboat ride through the Everglades wetlands, far away from the stress and bright lights of Florida’s cities. After your airboat tour, it’s on to the Gator Park to get up close and personal with a number of animals native to Florida, and some from further afield.
Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the wild side of Florida.
10. Wild Florida Airboat Safari Ride with Transportation
Source: getyourguide.comTake advantage of round-trip transportation from the center of Orlando right out into the Everglades National Park, where you’ll enjoy a 30-minute airboat ride through one of the United States’ most intriguing and unique ecosystems.
You’ll glide across the swamps as you search for herons, otters, and what everyone comes to see – the American alligator.
Also included in this tour is your admission to the Wild Florida Wildlife Park: a great family trip and a place to learn more about native and non-native wildlife.
11. Miami South Beach and Everglades Tour
Source: Miami2you / shutterstockThis 15-hour trip is a great way to see the best of the Everglades and the world-famous city of Miami. Enjoy being picked up from selected hotels in Miami on this trip, which offers an unusual but undeniably exciting combination of airboats, alligators, and shopping.
After an airboat ride in the Everglades, you’ll be treated to an alligator handling show by trained and responsible handlers. Then it’s onto Miami. There’s the option to do a Star Island Cruise, where you can spot some of the rich and famous’ mansions. If you prefer to remain firmly on land, try some retail therapy in the city’s famous Bayside shopping district.
The day ends at Miami’s world-famous South Beach before heading back to Orlando in comfort.
12. 2-Day South Beach Dolphin Swim and Everglades Getaway
A perfect tour for those with a little time on their hands, this two-day experience gives a comprehensive overview of the best that Florida has to offer. It includes one of the activities near the top of many people’s bucket lists – swimming with dolphins.
Day one will see you enjoying the sights of Miami, including the Bayside shopping district, before heading out into the Everglades to take part in an exhilarating airboat tour. Then you’ll get up close and personal with alligators at a handling show.
Day two is the highlight – swimming with dolphins. If you’re not a swimmer, entrance to the dolphin park is still included. Don’t miss this opportunity to do something totally unforgettable.
13. Orlando Everglades Airboat Tour & Wildlife Park Entry
Source: getyourguide.comThe Central Florida Everglades is a 4,200-acre area; you’ll have the privilege of traveling around it on this fun tour, with entry to the Wild Florida Wildlife Park thrown in too.
On this beautiful boat ride, you’ll glide over swamps, marshes, and rivers, hopefully spotting an American alligator or two. After your boat trip, it’s onto the Wild Florida Wildlife Park, where you’ll have a chance to see long-horned watusis, inquisitive emus, and a number of tropical birds.
This tour is offered by one of the only airboat companies in Florida that owns its own land.
14. Orlando: Kennedy Space Center and Airboat Tour
Source: NaughtyNut / shutterstockThis day trip combines two of Florida’s most popular attractions in just 12 hours – a visit to the NASA launch site Kennedy Space Station, as well as an exhilarating ride through the Everglades on an airboat.
A tour of the headquarters allows you to see shuttle launch pads from a four-story observation deck, check out the Atlantis space shuttle, and gives you access to IMAX space films.
After finding out everything you could hope to about the US space program, take an airboat tour, where you’ll reach up to 45mph on the hunt for alligators, turtles, and eagles.