Airboat Rides in Orlando

Explore more of Orlando than just the theme parks and travel through nature, in the ride of your life across the Florida Everglades.

Airboat rides in Orlando offer an exceptional experience for the whole family. The boats soar through the swamps, marshes and rivers, reaching speeds of up to 45mph. Take in the natural beauty of the region, seeing a completely different side of Florida. You may even catch a glimpse of the region’s famous alligators and other Florida wildlife in their natural habitat. All airboat tours have an experienced guide, who will give you the secrets of the local wildlife and point them out to you along the way.

Discover nature on your doorstep, as the location of the airboat rides is very close to our villas in Orlando; only a short drive away and reasonably-priced too, so it’s certainly worth taking a day off from the theme parks to experience something a little different.

Eco-Friendly Airboats Safe for the Wildlife

Instead of being powered by a motor, Airboats are propelled by giant fans in a protective metal cage. This pushes air behind the boat, which then pushes them forward, making it quickly glide across the water, unlike any other boat.

As the ‘motor’ is above the water, this means that airboats do not have any moving parts below the surface, making them safe for the animals that live there, as well as being able to move easily through the grassy areas of swampland. They are also able to cruise through the water without creating a wake, therefore causing less disturbance.

Fun Fact – The first airboats were used by the British Army in World War I

Best Time to Experience Airboat Rides in Florida

• Spring – Anytime of day is good in Spring. Early afternoon can have some rain showers, so it’s best to keep this in mind.
• Summer – Early in the morning around 10am, when it’s a bit cooler is ideal. The most recommended time in the summer is actually a nighttime airboat ride, as this is when you’re more likely to see alligators and other wildlife.
• Autumn – Same as Spring
• Winter – The middle of the day is the best time in the winter, when it’s a bit warmer.

Where Can I Experience an Airboat Ride in Orlando?

Wild Florida

Wild Florida has a variety of airboat tours and experiences to choose from and each ticket also includes admission into their incredible wildlife park! You can spend as long as you like exploring the animal park before or after your airboat tour, where you’ll see all kinds of native and exotic wildlife. You’ll also have the chance to take part in an interactive alligator demonstration, hold a real baby gator, pet the tortoises and see beautiful tropical birds spread their colourful wings.

These tours below can be booked with us at Debbie’s Villas, so do get in contact with our team if you’re interested in any of these:

• 1 Hour Everglades Airboat Tour
• 30-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour
• Gators, Gators, Gators – This is the ultimate alligator day out. It includes a 30-minute airboat tour at Wild Florida, followed by a visit to see the gators at Gatorland. Return transport is included from select locations within the Orlando, Kissimmee and Disney Areas.

Not a fan of the water? You can take a ride through Wild Florida’s drive-through safari, where you’ll get up close and personal with many animals that roam the ranch. This is an additional cost to the airboat tours, but it’s a wonderful way of seeing an array of wildlife all in one place. There’s even a giraffe feeding platform, where you can hand-feed these incredible animals.

Address: 3301 Lake Cypress Road, Kenansville, FL 34739

Boggy Creek

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures is another company offering amazing airboat tours in the Orlando area. It started off as a family-run business 24 years ago and has grown over the years; in knowledge and experience. They now have a fleet of 12 airboats, which have taken several million nature lovers into the beautiful wetlands of Kissimmee.

Guests can also visit a Native American Village, a Fossil and Gem Mining Experience and a Swamp Photo Shack whilst they’re here, which are all exclusive to Boggy Creek. There’s even a Gator Pond, so you can see even more alligators basking in the sun. If you’re brave enough, you can purchase some food to feed them as well. This is all included in the airboat tour ticket.

These tours below can be booked with us at Debbie’s Villas, so do get in contact with our team if you’re interested in any of these:

• Boggy Creek 30-Minute Scenic Nature Tour
• Boggy Creek 1-Hour Scenic Nature Tour

We always like to recommend the 1-hour tours as you have a better chance of seeing more wildlife and you’re taken further into the swamps. All tours are on a 17 passenger airboat.

Address: Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, 2001 E. Southport Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Airboat Ride Hints and Information

• Airboat rides are safe for all ages - A child under 2 can sit on your lap or ride beside you. They usually enjoy the ride, but some may not like the noise and/or wearing a life vest which is required for children under 6.
• Wear something comfortable - the best clothing for this activity is shorts and a t-shirt. It’s windier and slightly cooler on the water so it’s recommended to dress warmer than you are comfortable.
• You may also need a light jacket, as Florida’s weather can be unpredictable.
• There’s no need to worry about getting wet, as you typically stay dry on airboats. You may just get some light spray.
• Bring a camera with a strap – to save you from dropping your camera in the water.
• Put on sunscreen – even on a cloudy day you can still sunburn and the sun is stronger on the water so be prepared.
• Bring your sunglasses - Not only will sunglasses help you see better in the Florida sun, but if they are polarised, you can see the gators underwater more clearly.
• You do not need insect repellent – many think that this is essential in swampy areas, but it is not necessarily needed, as the boat is moving most of the tour. It may be helpful for walking around the wildlife parks though and if you are hyper sensitive to mosquitos, it is recommended for the airboat tour as a precaution.
• These boats are loud, but all passengers are given ear protection.
• You can wear a hat, as your headset will fit right over it.
• Leave your bags behind.
• If there is six or more in your group look into booking a private airboat tour. You will get a more personalised experience with very little difference in price, compared to a group booking a regular airboat ride.