Everglades National Park tour with air boat ride from Miami

The air boat takes you far from land into water wilderness where the wildlife actually lives.

A half-day tour from Miami area hotels combines a guided nature walk through Everglades National Park with a 1-hour air boat ride deep into the River of Grass. Your naturalist guide leads the walk and narrates a scenic drive along Tamiami Trail, where you see large and baby alligators, multiple bird species and other wildlife in their habitat. The air boat portion takes you to remote tree island villages where you stop and learn about Native American culture. Hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, snacks and drinks are included. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hollywood Beachpass by
2. Tamiami Trail30m

Everglades National Park tour and airboat ride

• Pick up from Fort Lauderdale or Miami hotel
• Enjoy narrated scenic drive to Everglades
• Guided 90-minute nature walk in Everglades
• Explore Everglades and visit Visitor Center
• Scenic guided driving tour of Everglades
• 1-hour airboat ride in River of Grass
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Miami or Fort Lauderdale hotel, then a narrated drive to the park along Tamiami Trail, where you cross several bridges over vast stretches of the River of Grass. Your master naturalist guide explains the hydrology and ecology that make this the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Florida, and points out bird species along the way. Once in the park, you head out on a 90-minute nature walk where the guide leads you to see alligators (both large and small), turtles, wading birds and other wildlife in the actual wetland, not in any enclosure. You get time to explore on your own and visit the park visitor center to pick up stamps or souvenirs if you want them.

The air boat ride is where the day opens up. You board a smaller vessel designed to go far from land into the true wilderness of the River of Grass, stopping at one or two native tree island villages where you learn about the way the Native people historically lived in this landscape. The boat moves through water most vehicles cannot reach, so the wildlife you see (alligators, birds, fish) is in its own territory. The ride runs for an hour or longer, depending on what the guide finds and the conditions that day.

The whole experience runs about 5.5 to 6 hours from pickup to drop-off. Transportation from your hotel is included, along with national park fees, the air boat ride, snacks and drinks. You can bring a refillable water bottle and refill it throughout the day. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and children from age 5 can join. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram.

What’s included

• National park entry fees.
• round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off.
• snacks and drinks throughout the day.
• refillable water available at all times.
• air boat ride fees.
• luggage storage.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Wild Lime Adventures

Is this one for you?At 5.5 to 6 hours total, this tour fits a half-day window and leaves the rest of your day open for other plans. The guide handles the route, the timing and the wildlife spotting, so you move through the park without building an itinerary yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on the nature walk in Everglades National Park?

The nature walk takes you to see large alligators, baby alligators, turtles, and a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat within the park. Your naturalist guide leads you to spots where you encounter these animals in the wild, not in cages or pens.

How far out does the air boat take you into the Everglades?

The air boat is designed to go way out into the River of Grass, far from land, reaching remote areas most vehicles cannot access. You stop at one or two native tree island villages where you learn about the Native American way of life in this landscape.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, the tour includes round-trip transportation from your Miami or Fort Lauderdale area hotel, so you don't need to arrange your own way to the park.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes national park entry fees, air boat fees, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off, snacks and drinks, and luggage storage. Refillable water is available throughout the day.

How long is the whole tour?

The tour runs about 5.5 to 6 hours from the time you are picked up at your hotel until you are dropped off, including the nature walk, scenic drive, visitor center time and the air boat ride.