Vacation Guide to Southwest Florida

Everglades Tours

Southwest Florida Airboat Alligator Tours in the Everglades

One of the most unique and exciting attractions easily accessible from the communities of Southwest Florida is the Florida Everglades, a huge tropical wetland comprising the southern half of a watershed which begins near Orlando, Florida. It provides habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther. In addition, it has a lively population of alligators. A fun way to view gators in their natural habitat (and just a short drive from Naples) is by airboat, with a number of tour operators located in and around Everglades City, just to the southeast of Naples.

The population of alligators in Florida alone is estimated at 1 million. Males measure 11-15 feet in length and can weigh 1000 pounds. If you are lucky, you might get to meet one up close and personal, like in our photo.

Trivia Fact: the oldest living alligator in captivity is reported to be 76 years old and can be found at the Belgrade Zoo.

Keep in mind that most airboat operators offer 60 minute tours, similar boats, similar pricing & discounts and experienced-knowledgeable guides. Reservations are recommended during the busy season, late Fall through Spring.  All tours recommend that you bring sun block and insect repellent, especially in the Summer. See our Individual Factors shown below for differences.

Everglades Airboat-Alligator Tours Serving Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Estero & Fort Myers

Airboat Operator / Location/ Phone/ Website

Discription

Captain Jack's Airboat Tours

200 Collier Avenue Everglades City, FL 34139 Phone: (844) 326-2628

Get ready to get up close and personal with the local wildlife of the historic Florida Everglades. Learn all about the fragile ecosystem that is home to more than 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 350 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles. Captain Jack's Airboat Tours will provide you with an experience you won't forget.

2 hours of fun! Take an exciting airboat tour through Everglades mangroves, then get 3 FREE bonuses: hug a baby alligator, see a live alligator show with an experienced handler, and visit the Animal Sanctuary with tigers, panthers, snakes, otters, over 100 alligators, and more! When you are ready to wrap up the day, you’ll want to stop by and visit their Gift Shop for the ideal souvenir

Individual Factors: Hold a baby alligator. Most informative website.

20610 Tamiami Trail E
Naples, FL 34114
Phone: (239) 389-7433

Rev up the engine and get ready to explore the Florida Everglades aboard Corey Billie's Airboat Rides! Climb aboard these well maintained, state of the art airboats for an up-close Everglades airboat swamp tour adventure that only a few have been able to experience. Until now! Experienced airboat tour guides will take you deep into the 200-acre preserve to see exotic tropical wildlife and plant life, rare species of birds and, oh yes, alligators!

Individual Factors: Owned 200 acre Everglades preserve. Operated by a native Seminole Indian. 45-minute rides. Nearest to Naples.

907 DuPont Street
Everglades City, FL 34139
Phone: (877) 222-6400

At Everglades City Airboat Tours, you are offered a very safe, nice, quiet, and knowledgeable tour of the Florida Everglades Mangrove Jungles. The airboats are specially designed, built, and set-up for your comfort and safety. You will depart from the famous Barron River and they will carry you into the deepest and thickest parts of the mangrove jungles. The airboat tour covers both tight creeks and small open water bays in the heart of the jungles waterways. While you are on your adventure, keep your eyes wide open to try and see some of the native wild life, including alligators, manatees and native birds. This lifetime adventure will take an hour of time and it is well worth it.

Individual Factors: Closed on Sundays. Fully narrated using headphones.

30999 Tamiami Trail South
Everglades City, FL 34139
Phone: (239) 695-3377

Let Captain Mitch show you the great Everglades by Airboat. Skim over the water and see the grasslands of the Florida Everglades the way it was meant to be seen. Captain Mitch House, owner and operator, has been in business here for over 20 years. This is the original small Airboat Tours in the Everglades area. In their private Everglades Airboat park you’ll see gators, birds, fish and more.

Individual Factors: Grassland tours.

804 Collier Avenue
Everglades City, FL 34139
Phone: (877) 695-2820

Jungle Erv’s Airboat Tours is one of the original airboat tours in the Florida Everglades. Jungle Erv’s family dates back to the 1800s. The family grave site on the island of Fakahatchee is maintained by the national park. Jungle Erv offers a one-hour Wilderness Airboat Tour, a one-hour Mangrove Tunnels & 10,000 Islands Tour and a one-hour Family Airboat Tour. All tours include Jungle Erv’s Boardwalk and Alligator Exhibit.

Individual Factors: Do not accept reservations. Alligator exhibit on premises. Family-sized airboat is available for larger groups.

621 Begonia Street
Everglades City, FL 34139
Phone: (239) 695-4448

Speedy’s Airboat Tours offers tours on small airboats, so you’ll not only see the Florida Everglades up close, but you also receive a much more personalized airboat tour. Additionally, their tours go into a 1000 acre private section of the Florida Everglades that no other airboat companies have access to. Speedy’s takes you through both the mangrove jungles and the grasslands – an adventure like no other.

Individual Factors1000 acre private section of the Florida Everglades.

32330 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141
Phone: (800) 282-2781

Wooten’s is located just four miles from Everglades City. They offer a fun, safe, exciting family adventures, including airboat tours, swamp buggy rides, an animal sanctuary and a live alligator show. You can also hold a baby alligator while visiting here at Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours. All the captains and guides at Wooten’s are local, experienced glades men and women, who are native of the Florida Everglades and uniquely suited to make your Everglades experience the best you have had. The Staff are well versed and full of information on the colorful history, plant, and wildlife of the area.

Individual Factors: Offers Swamp Buggy Rides and Live Alligator Shows in addition to Airboat Tours. Has an animal sanctuary. Hold a live baby alligator.

Other Southwest Florida Airboat Tours

If you are aware of an airboat tour not included here, please send information about the tour. Visit our Submit Your Listing page.