Everglades Airboat Tours
Have you ever been on an Everglades airboat ride?
If you haven't, you've come to the right place—Captain Doug's in Everglades City, Florida! If you have, you know how much fun it is, and you're no doubt thinking about going again!
You're probably doing your best to plan a memorable vacation in the Florida Everglades. You might be asking yourself: What will an airboat tour be like? Will my family enjoy it? What animals will I see? What else should I do while I'm there? Where should I stay? Will I get eaten by an alligator?
Fear not! We've got all the information you need. (For starters: you won't get eaten!) We've helped hundreds of thousands of people with questions just like these have a wonderful time in the Everglades!
Most people who visit the Everglades dream about having a fun, interesting vacation. They want to see some alligators, spot some birds, soak up the beauty of the natural world, and learn some Everglades history. And they want to go on a fun boat ride!
Why Captain Doug's Everglades Airboat Tours?
Our airboat tours are the perfect activity for a great vacation in the Everglades! Here's what makes our tours special:
- Safe Rides: Your safety is our priority. Our captains are U.S. Coast Guard certified and our well-maintained boats meet strict Coast Guard requirements.
- Minimal Waiting: Tours leave every 30 minutes, 365 days a year, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. We run multiple boats for reduced wait times. You can also call us to reserve a spot. Tours last about an hour.
- Small Boats: Our airboats are small, with only 6 seats. You can get closer to nature, and you don't have to share the boat with a dozen other people like on a larger airboat.
- Great Captains: Our captains are knowledgeable, experienced, and safe. They know where the animals hang out, and they know how to give you an entertaining, scenic ride.
Our airboat tours will take you on a fun ride around the Everglades, where your captain will point out local wildlife (and stop for photos), beautiful scenery, interesting history, and strange folklore.
Can I Bring the Kids, Parents, and Grandparents?
Yes, bring the whole family! All ages are welcome!
Will I See Alligators?
This is the question on everyone's mind! Many of our visitors do see wild alligators. But keep in mind that alligators are wild animals, and Mother Nature makes no guarantees.
Because gators are so popular, we include a special treat with every airboat tour: we'll take your picture (using your camera) as you hold our resident baby alligator! It's great fun for all ages, and makes a perfect photo to send back home.
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What Other Animals Will I See?
The Everglades is home to over 350 species of birds. It's likely you'll see wild birds like herons, pelicans, spoonbills, ibises, egrets, sandpipers, and more. Mother Nature ultimately calls the shots, but there are lots of birds that make the Everglades home year-round.
Our visitors also often spot raccoons, squirrels, otters, and other mammals. Your captain will know all the best animal hiding spots!
Read more about what animals you might see at different times of the year.
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Mosquitoes and Pythons and Gators, Oh My!
Many people ask about mosquitoes. The truth is, airboats move fast enough that mosquitoes won't have much of a chance to land on you. In the summer months, you might want to bring some insect repellent to keep them at bay.
You may have heard about people releasing Burmese pythons into the wild. It's true that they're an invasive species in the Everglades, but they tend to hang out in other areas. We don't encounter them on our tours.
Will you be safe from alligators? Yes, if you follow your captain's instructions, you'll be safe. Gators do not come up into our airboats. Captains will tell you to "keep your hands and feet inside the boat" for good reason!
Tips for Enjoying a Great Airboat Ride
- Wear comfortable clothes. You'll be right next to the water, and it's possible the boat will splash a bit. It's all part of the fun!
- Dress for Everglades weather. In May-Nov, temperatures range from 70-95º F (20-35º C), in Dec-Apr, 50-75º F (10-25º C).
- Bring insect repellent and sunblock.
- Bring your camera!
Where to Stay, What to Do
We recommend Everglades City Motel, which has great amenities at a reasonable price. It's only one mile from the boat launch.
There are lots of other things to do while you're visiting. Before or after your airboat tour, you might want to check out the historical landmarks, scenic drives, or unique restaurants the Everglades has to offer. We're currently writing a new vacation guide where we recommend the top 12 free things to do in the Everglades. If you're interested, sign up for our newsletter and we'll email it to you when it's ready!
Don't Just Take Our Word for It!
Here's what some of our visitors said after they took our airboat tour:
"Captain was very knowledgeable, fun and friendly -- took pictures with our cameras and introduced us to some of his wild little friends hanging out along the way! Got some great pictures of an alligator who swam to our boat (!!!) and other cute (but wild) animals friends of the Captain. Fast & fun ride - Highly recommend Captain Doug's" - VMDTraveller, Missouri
"AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!! What a great time. Our tour guide was funny and very knowledgeable. We saw 4 BIG gators and even got to hold one before our tour! Would highly recommend Captain Doug's!" - Hrm146, Illinois
"Comin' back for sure! We were pleasantly surprised at the friendliness of the staff and cleanliness of the bathrooms. Our captain was entertaining and educational at the same time. He gave us a few thrills on the ride which all aboard enjoyed. We were able to see 2 alligators on the ride which at first appeared to be a log floating in the water but soon became an eight foot reptile swimming in the water near our boat!! Also had our picture taken with the baby alligator after the ride was over. All in all a fun experience." - Nathan, Illinois
We love it when we can help people have a great vacation! It makes our jobs very rewarding!
How Much Does an Airboat Tour Cost?
Adults (ages 13+): $37.75
Children (ages 4-12): $22.50
Infants & Toddlers (ages 0-3): $2.50
Our tours last about an hour, and our small boats seat no more than six passengers.
Ready to Ride? Here's How!
First, save $10 off by signing up for our newsletter and getting your coupon.
Next, get directions to our boat launch.
Then, visit our boat launch any day of the year between 9 am and 5 pm for tours that leave every 30 minutes. If you want to reserve a time, give us a call!
When you're done with your tour, stop by our gift shop for a free sanddollar or bracelet!
Any Questions?
If you have questions about something we didn't cover above, or about how to better plan your Everglades vacation, please ask us!
