14 Best Airboat Rides in Florida (2024)

Last Updated on January 26, 2024

Airboat rides are a great way to see wild Florida. Experienced captains steer airboats and act as tour guides through bodies of water.

You can see local wildlife like Florida alligators and species of birds (even bald eagles) in their natural habitat.

If you are looking for an exciting airboat tour, we’re recommending the best airboat rides in the Sunshine State.

There are options in every region of Florida.

So, buckle up, put on noise-cancelling earphones (usually provided by the tour) and prepare for a thrilling ride.

12 Top Airboat Rides in Florida

Airboat Rides in Northwest Florida  

Wild Thang Airboat Tours – Panama City Beach

Wild Thang Airboat Tours boasts of having “the most experienced U.S.C.G. master captains in the area.”

Located in Panama City Beach, the company offers 30-minute and 60-minute tours through the bay.

You might get to see dolphins, alligators, manatees, and more.

They also offer an ultimate night ride – a completely different experience where you take an airboat night tour after the sun sets.

Wild Thang Airboat Tours’ operating hours are dependent on tour schedules. Reservations are required. Tickets are available for adults and children 2 and up. Children under 2 are not allowed on airboat tours.

For more information, visit the official website of Wild Airboat.

Wild Things Airboat Tours Address: 14856 Bay View Cir, Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Airboat Rides in North Central Florida 

Apalachicola Airboat Excursions – Apalachicola

Apalachicola Airboat Excursions allows guests an airboat adventure on the Apalachicola Bay, river, and estuary system. You may even see alligators, turtles, and other native wildlife.

They offer 60-minute rides, 90-minute rides, and beautiful sunset cruises.

Apalachicola Airboat Excursions’ operating hours are dependent on tour schedules. Reservations are required. Tickets are available for adults and children 3 and up.

For more information, visit the official website of Apalachicola Airboat Excursions. 

Apalachicola Airboat Excursions Address: 2 Bay Ave, Apalachicola, FL 32320

While you’re in the area, make sure to check out a Getaway to Authentic Apalachicola.

Airboat Rides in Northeast Florida 

Crazy Fish – Jacksonville

Crazy Fish takes you on an exciting airboat ride through Jacksonville-area marshes, wetlands, and creeks.

You might even see Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, wild alligators, otters, and birds on their 90-minute eco-tour and airboat adventure. 

Crazy Fish is open daily. Reservations are required. Tickets are available for adults and children of all ages.

For more information, visit the official website of Crazy Fish.

Crazy Fish Airboat Address: 6359 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226

While you’re in the area, make sure to check out our favoriteThings to Do in Jacksonville.

Airboats in Central West Florida 

Ozello Boats – Crystal River

See real Florida on an airboat tour on the Crystal River with Ozello Boats in Crystal River, FL. The company offers a great time with 60 and 90-minute tours.

Cruise through a river of grass in only inches of water on Homosassa and Crystal River.

Ozello Boats is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tickets are available for adults and children of all ages.

For more information, visit the official website of Ozello Boats. 

Ozello Boats address: 2355 S Ripple Path, Crystal River, FL 34429

While you’re in the area, make sure to Swim with a Manatee and Experience Authentic Crystal River, the Soul of Florida

Airboat Rides in Central Florida 

Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours – St. Cloud

Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours is a St. Cloud company that offers 60-minute awesome airboat rides across the headwaters of the Everglades.

Cruise around Lake Tohopekaliga with an experienced guide and see local wildlife like blue herons, alligators, and bald eagles.

They also offer private tours and after-hours tours (seasonally.)

Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours is open daily. Tickets are available for adults and children 3 and up. Children 2 and under are admitted for free.

For more information, visit the official website of Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours. 

Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours Address:  4715 Kissimmee Park Rd, St. Cloud, FL 34772

While in the area, check out the 10 Best Things to Do in St. Cloud FL (Osceola County)

Airboat Wildlife Adventures – Sebring

Airboat Wildlife Adventures is located in Sebring and is another great option for a Central Florida airboat ride.

They offer 90-minute tours on Lake Istokpoga and Arbuckle Creek. Day and nighttime tours are available. 

They offer unofficial “Spring Break” or “Senior Citizen” style tours. In other words, wild and crazy or mild.

Airboat Wildlife Adventures’ operating hours are dependent on tour schedules. Reservations are required.

For more information, visit the official website of Airboat Wildlife Adventures.

Airboat Wildlife Adventures Address: 4971 US-98, Sebring, FL 33876

Wild Florida – Kenansville

Wild Florida is an Orlando-area attraction located in Kenansville. Airboat tours take you through Central Florida swamps, rivers, and marshes.

They offer 30-minute tours, 60-minute daytime tours, 60-minute nighttime tours, and 60-minute private tours day and night.

Tours include admission to Wild Florida’s Gator Park, which is home to over 200 animals. Other ticketed attractions include a drive-thru safari park and unique animal encounters.

Wild Florida is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tickets are available for adults and children 3 and up. Children 2 and under are admitted for free.

For more information, visit the official website of Wild Florida Airboats. 

Wild Florida Address: 3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739

If you love alligators, check out the 8 Florida Alligator Parks You Won’t Want to Miss.

Airboats in Central East Florida 

Airboat Rides & Gator Charters – De Leon Springs

Airboat & Gator Charters is a De Leon Springs company that exclusively offers private airboat tours.

See remarkable sights like sunsets, full moons, and native wildlife.

Enjoy a personal and unique experience of a private tour through the St. Johns River, Lake Jesup, and other bodies of water.

Airboat & Gator Charters operating hours are dependent on tour schedules. Reservations are required.

For more information, visit the official website of Gator Charters.

Airboat Rides and Gator Charters Address: 760 Tedders Ct, De Leon Springs, FL 32130

Airboat Rides in Southwest Florida 

Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours – Everglades City

Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours is a South Florida attraction located in Everglades City. They offer 80 and 110-minute mangrove airboat tours through mangrove tunnels, grasslands, and a cypress forest.

They also have swamp buggy tours where you travel the area in a raised buggy.

Before or after your tour, check out Captain Jack’s animal sanctuary. The sanctuary includes over 100 rescued animals, including alligators, tigers, and otters.

The sanctuary hosts an hourly alligator show where you can learn all about the American alligator. 

Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets are available for adults and children.

For more information, visit the official website of Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours.

Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours Address: 905 Dupont St, Everglades City, FL 34139

While you’re in the area, make sure to check out our tips for Exploring the Extraordinary Florida Everglades.

Airboat Rides in Southeast Florida 

Everglades Alligator Farm – Homestead

Everglades Alligator Farm is South Florida’s oldest alligator farm. The attraction is located in Homestead near the entrance of Everglades National Park.

They offer 20 to 25-minute airboat rides and extended private tours with a 45 to 60-minute tour.

The tours take you on a fun ride through the Everglades’ sawgrass prairies.

In addition to airboat tours, you can see alligator shows and feedings – both are included in general admission. 

Everglades Alligator Farm is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Tickets are available for adults and children.

For more information, visit the official website of the Everglades Alligator Farm. 

Everglades Alligator Farm Address: 40351 SW 192nd Ave, Homestead, FL 33034

While in the area, don’t miss the 5 Best Things to Do in Homestead, FL.

Everglades Safari Park – Miami

Everglades Safari Park is another great option for Everglades airboat rides, located approximately 40 minutes from Miami.

The park offers 30 to 40-minute airboat rides and private 40 and 60-minute rides.

All airboat rides include admission to the park’s Wildlife Nature Show. It also gives you access to the Jungle Trail, Observation Platform, and exhibits.

There is also an onsite café and a gift shop to check out. 

Everglades Safari Park is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets are available for adults and children.

For more information, visit the official website of Everglades Safari Park. 

Everglades Safari Park Address: 26700 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194

While in Miami, don’t miss 8 Adventures in Awesome, Authentic Miami.

Gator Park Airboat Tours – Miami

Gator Park Airboat Tours also offers airboat tours through the Florida Everglades from Miami.

Tours take you through canals and rivers of grass with opportunities to spot alligators, birds, and turtles out in the wild.

Airboat rides and a wildlife show are included in admission to the park.

Gator Park Airboat Tours is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets are available for adults and children 6 and up. Children 5 and under are admitted for free.

For more information, visit the official website of Gator Park. 

Gator Park Address: 24050 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194

Additional Airboat Tours Recommended by Our Readers

Camp Holly Airboat Rides & Fish Camp – Melbourne

Camp Holly Airboat Rides & Fish Camp in Melbourne, FL, was established in 1901. It includes a tiki bar, gift shop, boat launch, and live music.

This place was recommended by several readers and Authentic Florida social media followers. It’s on our bucket list this year. They have a loyal following.

Camp Holly Address: 6901 US-192, Melbourne, FL 32904

Grape Hammock Airboat – Lake Wales

Grape Hammock Fish Camp is another place we have received numerous emails and messages from our social media readers about.

It’s on our bucket list to check out this year and report back our findings.

Grape Hammock Fish Camp is a family-owned and operated fish camp on the south end of Lake Kissimmee in Lake Wales.

Address: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, 1400 Grape Hammock Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33898

If you enjoyed this article about the best airboat tours in Florida and are looking for a few other recommendations, check out these suggestions.

• 5 Best Glass Bottom Boat Tours in Florida
• 7 Places to Discover in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands
• 11 U.S. National Parks in Florida You’ll Love
• 8 Florida Alligator Parks You Won’t Want to Miss
• Discover New Adventures in the Manatee Capital of the World