Airboat ride near Orlando?

[Saddy1996]

Hello. We fancy an airboat ride this time. Are there places near Orlando and if so which is the best option? Don’t know much about them apart from they are noisy!

[andyb1126]

We did Spirit if the Swamp and it was amazing. Short Uber ride from Disney and we picked the earliest slot and saw a good few gators. Andy

[BigSkip]

about an hours drive away, but Kissimmee Swamp Tours are well worth the travel. No good if you don't have a car.

[wanye]

spirit of the swamp are great. they are about half an hour drive away depending on where you are staying

[0420wilmut]

We've done Spirit of The Swamp twice and loved it!

[TGT]

Boggy Creek Airboats are okay - walk up, no bookings, easy access, discounts available - but the boats are bigger, no headphones so no easy interaction with the pilot

Kissimmee Swamp Tours - small boat (6ish people/private boat), 2-way microphone/headphones so can ask questions, much more personal service, nicer experience for me

We saw bigger gators with Boggy Creek but got a much better experience with Kissimmee Swamp Tours

But you will find folks who rave about both.

[ROBBOTOO]

Another vote for Spirit of the Swamp. We all loved it.

[amandajane10]

We have been with spirit of the swamp twice. Really good.

[Mumtotwo]

Another Spirit of the Swamp vote here as well.

[cornishfrogboy]

Spirit of the swamp twice and Boggy creek (Kissimmee) 3 times, plus one on the Tamiami causeway between Miami and Naples.

Spirit of the swamp has smaller boats and are a great trip. I certainly would reccomend them. They take you out and bring you back.

Boggy Creek have bigger boats, but you leave from a proper visitors centre. We have eaten complimentary Alligator samples there (tastes like Battered chicken) and also they have a Native American Indian who has set up a rather comprehensive encampment. This Indian does a talk about the History and the Culture with vivid descriptions of how to hunt Alligators, how the Camp is set up and why, etc. There are ancient artifacts shown and he takes the presentation through demonstrations of Spear throwing, notched throwing sticks to boost them and then blowpipes. At the conclusion (and for $5 ) he will teach your child (or yourself) to use all three. The Indian is extremely knowledgable and highly amusing.

Both Spirit and Boggy are both excellent. If I was in a family group then I would take the Boggy Creek extended one hour ride, eat Alligator, pose on their spare 'photo opportunity' airboat with plastic Alligator as a side prop and watch the Native American Indian presentation every time.

Horses for courses and I have seen Alligators aplenty on every trip. Both have extensive knowledge of Flaura, Fauna, Birdlife and of course, Gators. This and Discovery Cove are invariably highlights of our Florida vacations, regardless of which company we choose and ahead of any mainstream themeparks.