Kissimmee: Everglades Alligator and Wildlife Airboat Tour

About This Experience

Gator Airboat Rides operates from a dock on Big Bass Road in Kissimmee. You drive in, sign in at the blue office building beside the water, get your boarding time, and receive hearing protection and life vests. The captain gives a short safety briefing before everyone climbs aboard.

The ride itself is 30 minutes of speed and stops. The captain talks throughout and slows down to look for alligators, otters, great blue herons, snail kites and bald eagles along the marsh edges. Back on land, the listing includes a chance to hold one of the operator's baby gators, which for many kids is the photo of the trip.

The listing describes the water as the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. That is accurate in the broad sense: the lakes and marshes around Kissimmee drain south through the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee toward the Everglades. It is not Everglades National Park, which is roughly four hours' drive away.

Thirty minutes is a sweet spot for preschoolers, and the short format fits around a nap or a half-day at the parks. The flip side is less time to find wildlife, so if your kids are keen naturalists, a 1-hour or 90-minute ride gives more chances. The boat is open to sun and wind, so morning slots are more comfortable in summer.

Highlights

• Hold a baby alligator after the ride, a favorite photo for kids
• Speed across Kissimmee marshes for a quick, 30-minute burst of airboat fun
• Watch for otters, snail kites, great blue herons and bald eagles
• Listen to the captain's live commentary between stops
• Fit it easily around naps or a half-day at the theme parks

What's Included

• ✓ 30-minute airboat tour with a safety briefing
• ✓ On-board live commentary in English
• ✓ Hearing protection
• ✓ Life vests
• ✓ Parking at the dock
• ✓ Hold a baby gator after the ride

Not Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Gratuities for the captain
• Food and drinks
• Transport to the Kissimmee dock

What to Bring

• Sunscreen and a hat with a chin strap
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Hand wipes for after holding the baby gator
• Child ear muffs for babies and toddlers

Good to Know & Caveats

• Check in at the blue office building on the water's edge; you will get a boarding pass and time there.
• Wild alligators are often seen but never guaranteed.
• Age, height and life-vest rules are not stated on the listing, so check the listing or ask the operator for young children.
• Weather changes fast in Central Florida; morning rides avoid most summer afternoon storms.
• The boat is open, loud and sunny, so keep hearing protection on small kids for the whole ride.
• Hotel pickup is not included; you need your own car or a rideshare.

Meeting Point

Gator Airboat Rides, 3702 Big Bass Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Go to the blue office building at the water's edge to sign in; parking is included.