Exploring The Everglades by Airboat

You’ve probably heard about people finding alligators freely roaming around in Florida, usually in the most undesired places. There are stories about alligators on sidewalks, the river behind your holiday rental home, or in your swimming pool. While these are all rare occurrences, it happens. However, you usually have to look for gators if you want to find them. Today, I’m sharing my guide to the Everglades in Florida, which is one of the best places in the world for alligator sightings as well as unforgettable nature and wildlife experiences. Read along to plan your next adventure.

What is the Everglades?

Everglades National Park is the largest tropical wilderness area in the United States. It is located in the south of Florida, stretching all the way from Naples in the west, to Miami in the east. It is made up of a network of forests and shallow wetlands that also contains the largest Mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere.

The Everglades is home to several unique and in some cases threatened species, such as the Florida Panther, American crocodile and West Indian Manatee. Along with these, you can find 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles. The Everglades is, however most famous for allowing you to get up close and personal with alligators, which is also how it is commonly marketed towards tourists.

I do, however want to emphasize that the park is much more than an alligator park. For the preservation of its sensitive ecosystem, the Everglades should be explored in a respectful manner with consideration for the comfort and safety of the animals, nature and us humans beings.

What to be aware of when navigating the Everglades

There are many ways to navigate the Everglades, how you choose to explore the park is mainly up to your level of comfort. There are several animal threats of various sizes, such as alligators, panthers, venomous snakes and spiders. You should not underestimate the power of the wild creatures here. Don’t be surprised if you see an anaconda coming down from a tree.

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The animal threats are factors that you have to weigh in when choosing how to explore the Everglades. You will get up close an personal with the animals, even if you’re walking on a path. Most of the time, they won’t care about you, but there is a risk that they do. For these reasons, you might think that Airboat tours are the only option for navigating the area, but there are campsites, hiking paths, canoeing options and other ways to explore the park as well. However, I would not recommend hiking, and especially not off the paths unless you are familiar with the area and aware of the risks.

Practical tips for visiting the Everglades

• Have a plan and do the research about that particular area. Watch where you are going and do not randomly wander around. I’ve seen alligators within 100 meters from the main road in a populated area.
• Educate yourself if you’re exploring independently. Talk to the people at the information centers, the people that you rent a kayak from or those responsible for your campsite.
• Use mosquito spray and protect yourself from the sun. Especially if you’re visiting during summer.

• If you are a tourist with little or no experience of the area, I’d recommend an Airboat Tour. It lets you explore the Everglades with a knowledgeable guide and you’ll be within a comfortable distance from the alligators. You will also get to see parts of the Everglades that are otherwise inaccessible.
• There are plenty of Airboat operators in the area and many different tours. It all depends on your budget and preferences. You can turn make this a 30 minute adventure or a multiple day adventure.
• If possible, pay your visit to the Everglades in the morning if you want to see alligators. This is when they lay in the sun on the banks, before submerging themselves in the water to avoid the afternoon heat.
• If you are still up for more alligator experiences after the tour, head to Everglades City for lunch. There are plenty of venues serving dishes that include alligator meat. Alligator tacos anyone?

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Choosing your Airboat tour operator

Apart from a matter of preferences and budget, you should also look into the company behind the tour you’re booking. There are many tours that also offer animal encounters and shows. Check if your operator keep alligators or other animals in captivity for your entertainment? Personally, I would not want my money to contribute to live animal shows and therefore, I stay away from companies offering that entertainment. However, this is up to you and your personal preferences.

Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tour

My most recent Airboat tour was with Captain Mitch’s Private Airboat Tours, one of the oldest operators in the Everglades area. It is run by a family who’s been in the Airboat tour business for over 60 years. It costs about 35 USD for a 50-minute tour, which is a little less than what seems to be the market price. We also found a USD 5 discount on each ticket online, so look out for those as well.

Practical information

You can book the standard 50-minute tour online or by phone. You are required to check in at the venue and pay for the tour about 15 minutes before it begins. Be on time, or they will accept walk ins to fill your spot.

Once you approach your start time, your guide will come out and show you to your boat. There is a maximum of six people in each boat (two on each row).

Before starting the boat (bring earplugs if you are sensitive to the noise) your guide will be going over some basic rules. He will then, take you around the swampland and sometimes stop the boat to share information about the area or the wildlife, answer questions or explain something. Our guide was a knowledgeable self-proclaimed redneck who’d been involved in the business ever since he was a kid. He had spent his whole life in this area and shared many stories about past alligator incidents, snakes and other fascinating encounters.

My thoughts of the tour

It was lovely feeling the warm breeze, wind in your hair and sunlight while learning about the flora and fauna of this fascinating natural wonder. I would highly recommend heading out to the Everglades on a tour if you’re in Florida. You will return home with a new perspective of Florida, that is a sharp contrast from the large cities, beaches, theme parks that the state is otherwise known for.

What are your favorite animal encounters in the world? Let me know in the comments!