Midway Airboat Rides prides itself in being the only airboat company in Orange County, Florida, that has a permanent facility--meaning other companies must meet at a boat ramp. The tours begin at the facility and take you through "The Central Florida Everglades" on St. John's River, where otters, bald eagles, snakes, and a plethora of alligators line the river banks. After the tour, make sure you visit the gift shop, which has exotic animals, and where you can even hold a baby alligator.
Captain Johnny Long takes groups on a more personal airboat tour, requesting a maximum of only six people. This 90-minute tour through the swamps of St. John's River boasts about having real airboats instead of barges so guests can have a more natural experience. According to airboatrides.com, Captain Johnny Long enjoys his adventures as describing that "The airboat is more than just a mode of transportation, it is a safe haven and portal into and out of an otherwise hostile environment."
At A-Awesome Airboat Rides, your guide calls himself Captain Gator Bruce--an appropriate name for an airboat captain. He also tours the swamps of St. John's River with a maximum of six people. An innovator in the airboat touring industry, Captain Gator Bruce initialized voice-activated headphones along with virtual web tours according to airboatride.com. Headphones make it easier for the guides to direct guests to the animals, compensating for the noise of the airboat.
Regardless of which company you choose in Christmas, Florida, all will please. Riding an airboat resembles riding on a roller coaster, but on water (and grass). Your hair sways back in the wind on a cool river breeze while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Florida's backwoods habitat. In the Central Florida Everglades, the prices and length of airboat tours are better than tours in the more southern Everglades.
