Private Everglades Airboat Tour Fort Lauderdale: 1.5 Hours

Glide through the River of Grass spotting birds, reptiles, and rare wildlife up close

A private airboat tour through the Florida Everglades departing from Fort Lauderdale, where you cruise the backcountry with a live guide and encounter birds, reptiles, and native flora in their natural habitat. You choose your group size (4 to 7 passengers), book in advance by phone or online, and bring snacks and beverages in a cooler if you want them. The tour runs 1.5 hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private Everglades Airboat Tour

• Meet Captain Bill and team
• Board private airboat
• Explore Florida Everglades wildlife
• Learn Everglades history and ecosystem
• Complete airboat tour

The experience

Captain Bill and his team run Cypress Outdoor Adventures, a private operation that takes small groups into the untouched backcountry of the Everglades. You're not on a crowded tour boat. This is your airboat, your guide, and your schedule. The boat glides through the River of Grass, the shallow waterway that defines the ecosystem, and you'll see what actually lives there: wading birds, alligators, turtles, native plants. A live guide walks you through the history of the Everglades, from its formation millions of years ago to how human development has shaped the fragile landscape today.

The operation is located west of Fort Lauderdale off US Highway 27 at mile marker 38.5. You can get directions via Google Maps, the website's directions tab, or by texting "airboat" to 36260 for Uber information. Advanced booking is required (call or book online), and you'll choose your group size at checkout: 4, 5, 6, or 7 passengers. The tour runs 1.5 hours, and you're welcome to bring a cooler with snacks, beverages, or adult drinks. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Safety is the priority here. The airboat itself is the vessel (no transfers, no walking to a dock), and Captain Bill's team handles the navigation. You're sitting in the boat, watching the water and the wildlife pass, and learning about the ecosystem from someone who knows it. The experience leaves most people with a clearer sense of why the Everglades matters to Florida and how fragile it is.

What’s included

• Private airboat tour with a live guide in English.
• 1.5-hour cruise through the Everglades backcountry.
• wildlife viewing and ecosystem history.
• your choice of group size (4 to 7 passengers).

Options for this experience

4 options

7. Passenger TourUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00Tour for 7 passengers

6 Passenger TourUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00Tour for 6 passengers

5 Passenger TourUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00

4 Passenger TourUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00For 1-4 passengers

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs every day, 12 start times, from US$ 148 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30 and 16:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate4 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.3 with pickup ›

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cypress Outdoor Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants a private boat where the captain adjusts stops and pace to what you want to see, rather than following a fixed itinerary with other parties.

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Top questions

What animals and birds will I see on the Everglades airboat tour?

The Everglades airboat tour takes you through habitat where wading birds, alligators, turtles, and native plants live in their natural state. What you encounter depends on the season and the water levels, but the guide will point out whatever wildlife is active during your 1.5-hour cruise through the backcountry.

Can I bring food and drinks on the airboat?

Yes. You're welcome to bring a small cooler with snacks, beverages, and adult drinks. The tour allows you to set your own comfort level for the 1.5-hour ride.

How do I get to Cypress Outdoor Adventures from Fort Lauderdale?

The operation is located west of Fort Lauderdale off US Highway 27 at mile marker 38.5 on the east side of the road. You can get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps, the website's directions tab, or by texting "airboat" to 36260 for Uber information. Public transportation options are available nearby.

What's the minimum age for the airboat tour?

The minimum age is 13 years old. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

How far in advance do I need to book?

Advanced booking is required. You can book online or call Captain Bill directly to reserve your private airboat tour and choose your group size (4, 5, 6, or 7 passengers).