Orlando: Everglades Airboat Ride, BBQ Lunch & Gem Mining

Summary

Florida Everglades airboat ride with gem mining and lakeside BBQ

You’ll skim across Boggy Creek by airboat with a local captain, hunt for gems in a hands-on mining trough, meet live alligators up close, and relax over lakeside BBQ lunch. Expect moments of adrenaline and quiet—plus smoky scents and Florida sun that linger after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Hands gripping the rail, I could feel the engine’s rumble before I saw anything—then we were skimming across Boggy Creek, wind snapping at my hat. The captain (I think his name was Mike?) pointed out a cluster of white birds—egrets maybe—and then suddenly there was this hush as he cut the motor. You could hear insects buzzing and see the water grass shifting. Not sure what I expected from an airboat tour near Orlando, but it wasn’t that quiet moment in the middle of all that green.

Back on land, my shoes still a little wet from hopping off the boat, we wandered over to try our luck at the Prospector Gem Mine. It’s basically this long wooden trough filled with running water where you sift through sand and gravel looking for stones. I thought it’d be just for kids but honestly? Watching my niece pull out a chunk of purple quartz was weirdly satisfying. She made me keep a tiny fossil “for luck.” The whole place smelled faintly of barbecue smoke drifting over from Boggy Bottom BBQ next door—hard not to get hungry.

Lunch was simple but hit the spot: pulled pork sandwich (messy in the best way), coleslaw on the side, and sweet tea sweating in plastic cups. People around us were chatting about gator sightings—apparently there’s a live gator viewing area called Alligator Oasis, which we checked out after eating. The gators barely moved but their eyes followed everything; kind of eerie, kind of cool. There’s also this butterfly garden tucked away behind some palms—quiet except for kids chasing each other and butterflies flitting past your face if you stand still long enough.

I didn’t expect to leave thinking about how peaceful parts of it felt. The airboat ride is loud and fast but then you get these small pauses—the hush over the water or sitting under trees with sticky fingers from barbecue sauce—and that sticks with you more than I thought it would.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Airboat ride, gem mining, and lunch

• Check in at Boggy Bottom BBQ
• Meet the Captain and walk to dock
• Take 30-minute airboat ride
• Mine for gems and fossils
• Explore Butterfly Garden
• Enjoy lakeside lunch at Boggy Bottom BBQ

Top questions

How long is the airboat ride at Boggy Creek?

The standard tour is 30 minutes long.

Is lunch included in this package?

Yes, lunch is included with your choice of sandwich and one side item at Boggy Bottom BBQ.

What is the Prospector Gem Mine experience?

You sift through sand and gravel in a 70-foot mining trough to find real gems and fossils, which you can keep.

Are there live alligators to see?

Yes, there is an Alligator Oasis area where you can view live alligators safely.

Is park admission included?

Yes, park admission is part of this package.

Do I need to arrive early for my airboat tour?

You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time for check-in.

Is this activity suitable for young children or infants?

Yes, infants are allowed if seated on an adult’s lap; small children can use strollers or prams.

Is wheelchair access available?

The park is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes a 30-minute airboat tour across Boggy Creek with hearing protection and life vests provided, entry to all areas like Alligator Oasis and Butterfly Garden, hands-on gem mining where you keep what you find, plus a meal voucher for lunch at Boggy Bottom BBQ—all fees and taxes covered too.