You can’t come to Florida without visiting the Everglades: 1.5 million acres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the third largest national park in the lower 48, and the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. And one of the best ways to see the Everglades is by airboat ride! I did a lot of research about this to find which boat company would be the best. I soon learned that while there are lots of companies that offer airboat rides, there are only three companies that are authorized to operate within the Everglades boundaries. I ended up deciding to go with Everglades Safari Park and it was the best decision.
Everglades Safari Park was very easy to find – it’s right off the road as you’re driving down Tamiami Trail (US Highway 41) and is about 30 miles from downtown Miami. If you’re visiting the Miami area and have the time, a visit to the Safari Park is worth the drive.
They have a bunch of boats and when you purchase your ticket, you’ll get a number. When it’s time to board your boat, they’ll make an announcement with the boat number. We purchased tickets online, but found that when we arrived, we still had to wait in line to check in. Buying a ticket online doesn’t reserve you a specific boat time, you can come any time you’d like to redeem your purchase. The ticket prices do include the entrance fee to the Everglades, and if you have a National Park Pass, you can save money on your ticket!
Our first alligator sighting was not long after we started our adventure. Before you get out to the open area, you’ll go through a more narrow area where the boats have to move at a slower speed. It’s possible to see alligators there, but they’re camouflaged well so you have to keep an eye out.
Before long, we got into the open area and could get up to speed. The ride was thrilling and was so much fun! I’ve wanted to ride on an airboat for so long, and this experience didn’t disappoint. It was hard for me to spot the alligators while we were out here, but our guide was great at pointing them out. He would stop the boat as we approached, or got close to, an alligator so we could all see. Some of the alligators went under the water as we were watching, but I was able to grab photos of a few of them!
Everglades Safari Park offers an experience that includes more than just the airport ride. They also have a jungle trail with observation areas where you can walk around and see the alligators. This is a great addition to the airboat rides and is worth the visit! We saw more alligators in this area than I expected we’d see! While we did not go to it, they do also offer a wildlife nature show. All of this is included with the cost of your ticket!
Something else to make note of is that the airboat rides are quite loud, especially if you’re sitting closer to the back of the boat. For this reason, the company gives each passenger a pair of earplugs. There are other companies that offer airboat rides, and I’ve not tried them. But based on my experience, I would highly recommend you visit Everglades Safari Park if you’re looking for an Everglades airboat ride!
If you’d like to view the video I made while on this adventure, you can find that on my TikTok page here or my Instagram page here. If you choose to take an airboat ride in the Everglades, I hope you have an incredible experience!
