Florida Everglades Night Airboat Wildlife Tour

Race across the swamp at night, then explore the park by day

A private 60-minute nighttime airboat tour of the Florida Everglades with a live English-speaking guide, followed by daytime admission to Sawgrass Recreation Park. You'll ride at speeds up to 40 mph across sawgrass and cattails under cover of dark, hearing nocturnal creatures and learning about the Seminole Indians and native wildlife, then return during normal hours to see a 1,000-pound alligator and interact with animals in the swamp yard exhibit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private night airboat tour and exhibits

• Board private airboat at night
• Ride through Everglades at up to 40 mph
• Listen to nocturnal wildlife sounds
• Learn about Seminole Indians and wildlife
• Visit Sawgrass Recreation Park exhibits daytime
• See native and exotic species
• Interact with animals in swamp yard

The experience

Your captain takes the airboat across the river of sawgrass and cattails at speeds up to 40 mph, all under dark. As you glide across the swamp, you'll hear the calls and rustling of nocturnal creatures: panthers, birds, snakes, frogs, fish and the insects that live in this national wildlife preserve. The guide tells you stories about the Seminole Indians who inhabited this wilderness and explains what you're hearing and seeing as the boat moves through the water.

Admission to Sawgrass Recreation Park comes with your booking, valid during daytime hours from 9am to 5pm on any day you choose. The park's exhibit areas let you see native and exotic Florida species up close. You'll learn about the 1,000-pound alligator on display and interact with animals in the swamp yard exhibit. Ear protection is provided for the airboat ride itself.

The tour books out the whole boat for your private group, so you set the pace and the guide focuses on your questions. Children 3 and under ride free and don't count toward the party size. Children 6 and under must wear a life jacket. Because availability shifts with the season, you'll need to call ahead to confirm your preferred date and time before arrival. The operator reserves the right to cancel if weather turns severe.

What’s included

• Admission to Sawgrass Recreation Park valid from 9am to 5pm.
• ear protection for the airboat ride.
• private 60-minute nighttime airboat tour with a live English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 16:00, the last at 21:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Sawgrass Recreation Park

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if your group wants the whole boat to itself and prefers to explore the Everglades' nocturnal side: the speed, the darkness and the sounds of active wildlife make it a different experience from a daytime ride. The included park admission gives you flexibility to visit the exhibits on a separate day that suits your schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4).

What animals will I actually see on the nighttime airboat ride?

The nocturnal creatures of the Everglades (panthers, birds, snakes, frogs, fish and insects) are active and vocal at night, so you'll hear their calls and rustling as the airboat moves through the water. Your guide will point out what you're encountering and explain the wildlife that lives in this national preserve.

When can I use the Sawgrass Recreation Park admission that comes with the tour?

Sawgrass Recreation Park is open from 9am to 5pm, and you can visit on any day that works for your schedule. The admission is valid during those daytime hours and includes access to the exhibit areas where you'll see the 1,000-pound alligator and the swamp yard animal interactions.

How fast does the airboat go?

The airboat reaches speeds up to 40 mph as it crosses the sawgrass and cattails, giving you a fast-paced ride across the swamp under the cover of darkness.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the tour?

Yes, you'll need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included with this tour.