An airboat ride in the Everglades can be one of the most exciting activities southern Florida offers. Dozens of operators provide narrated tours, ranging from 30-minute rides to all-day excursions. Prices vary greatly, ranging from $450 for a private ride for two people to $19.50 for a 30-minute group tour. All prices are for January 2011. Most airboat tour operators expect to encounter alligators and other wild animals, such as panthers, bobcats, opossums and a wide variety of birds.
Cypress Airboats, in Everglades City, offers private, one-hour tours for two adults for $350, covering 10 to 15 miles in the Everglades. Cypress Airboats also offers a three-hour tour for two adults for $475. Custom tours are available, too, including night tours and all-day excursions. Tour tickets for children age 6 to 12 years are 1/2 price; tickets are free for children who are under 6 years old. Tickets for other passengers are $75 each.
Cypress Airboats
Everglades City, FL 34139
305-280-4812
cypressairboats.com
Loxahatchee Everglades Tours, which has several locations in southern Florida, offers airboat tours daily on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The airboats travel eight to 10 miles through the Everglades, and each tour lasts about one hour. The cost is $44 per adult, $22 per child from 6 to 12 years old and $8 per child age 3 through 5 years. Private, 80-minute expeditions are available at $90 per person. Boats seat up to 30 people and are equipped with two propellers as a noise-reduction measure.
Loxahatchee Everglades Tours
15490 Loxahatchee Road
Parkland, FL 33076
561-482-0313
evergladesairboattours.com
Billie Swamp Safari in Clewiston, Florida, offers a Swamp Safari Day Package that includes an airboat ride, a swamp buggy eco-tour and admission to alligator and snake shows. Prices are $49.95 per adult 13 years and older and $35.95 per child 4 through 12 years old. Children age 3 years and under ride free of charge. Airboat rides leave every half hour daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Billie Swamp Safari is on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and is operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Billie Swamp Safari
30000 Gator Tail Trail
Clewiston, FL 33440
863-983-6101
swampsafari.com
Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida, offers 30-minute airboat rides with no reservations necessary. Tickets include admission to reptile and wildlife exhibits. Prices are $19.50 per adult and $10 per child 4 to 12 years old. Children under 4 years may take the tour at no charge. Sawgrass also offers two nighttime airboat tours. The charge for the Gator Nites tour is $40 per adult and $20 per child 4 to 12 years old. The charge for the Red Eye Tour is $310 for up to four people.
Sawgrass Recreation Park
1006 N. U.S. Highway 27
Weston, FL 33327
888-424-7262
evergladestours.com
