Airboat rides are a classic way to experience the unique landscape of Florida. The wide hull and massive fan make airboats just about the only way you can travel in Florida swamps. A regular John Boat will struggle to navigate the grassy patches between mud and cypress knees, but an Airboat will plow over anything at 50 MPH. Expect to see all the Florida locals while you traverse the St. Johns: Alligators, Bald Eagles, Turtles, Snakes, and Otters.
Wild Florida
Private Transportation to Wild Florida Airboat Rides, collection from your Hotel.
Includes Direct & Return Transport
Includes a 1-Hour Airboat Ride
Includes Gator Park Entry
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Duration: 7.5 Hours
Departs from: Your Hotel
Departure Time: 7:30am
Return Pick Up Time: 1:45pm
Return Arrival at Hotel: 3:00pm
For pricing, select dates & tickets below.
Midway Airboats
Private Transportation to Midway Airboat Rides, collection from your Hotel.
Includes Direct & Return Transport
Includes a 1-Hour Airboat Ride
Includes Alligator Encounter
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Duration: 4 Hours
Departs from: Your Hotel
Departure Time: 8:00am
Return Pick Up Time: 10:45am
Return Arrival at Hotel: 12:00pm
For pricing, select dates & tickets below.
Boggy Creek Airboats
Private Transportation to Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, collection from your Hotel.
Includes Direct & Return Transport
Includes a 1-Hour Airboat Ride
Includes Park Entrance
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Duration: 4.5 Hours
Departs from: Your Hotel
Departure Time: 8:00am
Return Pick Up Time: 10:45am
Return Arrival at Hotel: 12:00pm
For pricing, select dates & tickets below.
Florida provides a host of experiences to make your holiday memorable. Here are just a couple of our favorite Airboat add ons, as well as our very own.
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After selecting your featured O'scursion in the booking widget, consider adding one of the experiences to your adventure:
SLOTH ENCOUNTER (Wild Florida Only)
Individuals 8 years old and up
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Calling all sloth fans! Have you ever wanted to take a #slothie or experience what a real sloth feels like? If so, this is a must-do while visiting Wild Florida! Come inside our Sloth exhibit to get up close and personal with our two-toed sloths! Don’t be surprised to see tropical birds or iguanas while taking selfies.
Merritt Island Wildlife Drive (Midway Only)
Individuals 8 years old and up: +$25
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Your Guide will take you to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife Drive, where you can get a glimpse at Florida's flora and fauna from the safety and comfort of an air-conditioned van. Known for some of the greatest variety in local and migratory birds, the refuge is sure to impress. Second stop is the Haulover Canal, where you will have the chance to see Manatees that congregate there year round.
What to Bring:
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Sunscreen, Sun Protection (Hats tend to fly off during the ride)
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Insect Repellent
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Water
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Light Jacket (Windbreakers in winter)
Midway Airboat Rides
28501 E Colonial Dr, Christmas, FL 32709
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One Hour Airboat Rides
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Complimentary Alligator Encounter & Photo-Op
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Porkchop & Other Critters on display
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Gift Shop
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Bathrooms
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Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
2001 E Southport Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746
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One Hour Airboat Rides
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Soggy Bottom BBQ & Eatery
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Gatorland Alligator Enclosure
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Native American Educational Show & Structures
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Gift Shop
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Bathrooms
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WILD FLORIDA Airboat Rides
3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739
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One Hour Airboat Rides
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Zoo & Optional Animal Encounters
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Restaurant
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Gift Shop
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Bathrooms
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Airboat Rides are subject to availability at each private facility & are affected by inclement weather. We will contact you with options if selected activities are unavailable for any reason. We will contact you if your reservations will be affected by inclement weather. We are always willing to reschedule without penalty.
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With advanced notice, we can provide car seats.
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We do not always use ADA vehicles but can always pack foldable wheelchairs. Please inform us of your needs.
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Payment & Cancellations:
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Payment due 48 hours out (at least deposit, 100% if through a booking representative)
Percentage of payment that will be RETAINED based on notice of cancellation & circumstances:
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30% no-show/no-call
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10% same day with contact
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0% day before or sooner, or case-by-case
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A ZERO PERCENT IS A FULL REFUND
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Best Airboat Tours in Orlando with Hotel Transportation
Step out of the theme park lines for just a second. Listen closely. Beyond the mechanical hum of roller coasters and the synchronized soundtracks of fantasy lands lies a completely different version of Orlando.
It is a place where the air smells like fresh crushed grass and dark water, where the only music is the rhythmic call of a red-winged blackbird, and where a prehistoric predator might slide silently off a mudbank just three feet from your boots.
Central Florida holds one of the most magnificent wetland ecosystems on the planet, and a boat with a giant airplane propeller strapped to the back is your ticket right into the heart of it.
We are O'scursions, and since 2015, we have specialized in introducing families to this wild side of Florida. We handle the driving, the tickets, and the timing so you can simply sit back and breathe in the open air.
When visitors search for the best airboat tours in Orlando, they are often surprised to discover that some of Florida's most memorable experiences happen far away from the theme parks. Airboat adventures offer a unique opportunity to explore untouched wetlands, encounter native wildlife, and experience the natural beauty that has defined Central Florida for centuries.
Why Airboat Tours Are a Must-Do Orlando Experience
To truly understand Florida, you have to understand its water. The grassy marshes just south of Orlando form the actual headwaters of the Florida Everglades. This massive, slow-moving river of grass filters billions of gallons of water and creates a habitat found nowhere else on earth.
Standard boats with underwater propellers simply cannot function here. The tangled mats of water hyacinth, thick hydrilla, and shallow mud banks would instantly choke a traditional motor. Airboats solve this problem by staying completely on top of the water. Their wide, flat aluminum hulls slide effortlessly over thick vegetation and wet mud, pushed forward entirely by massive, cage-protected fans.
When you slide across these marshes at forty miles per hour, the sensation is closer to flying than boating. It is an immediate adrenaline rush that appeals equally to kids, parents, and grandparents. Yet, the real magic happens when the captain cuts the engine. The sudden silence wraps around you, revealing a pristine wilderness that looks exactly as it did thousands of years ago.
Key Reasons Families Love Airboat Tours
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Experience Florida's wild wetlands up close
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Spot alligators, eagles, otters, and turtles in their natural habitat
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Enjoy an exciting ride that feels more like flying than boating
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Suitable for children, parents, and grandparents alike
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Escape crowded attractions and enjoy open-air adventure
What Wildlife Can You Expect to See?
The St. Johns River and the surrounding lakes are teeming with native residents. Because our airboats can venture deep into protected backwaters, your chances of close encounters with local wildlife are incredibly high.
American Alligators
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Often seen basking on mudbanks or floating quietly in the water
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Guides know the best locations for safe viewing
Bald Eagles & Wading Birds
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Bald eagle nests are frequently spotted in cypress trees
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Blue herons, snowy egrets, and wood storks are common throughout the wetlands
River Otters & Turtles
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River otters occasionally appear alongside the boat
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Softshell turtles and red-eared sliders are often seen sunning on logs
O'scursions Airboat Tour Options
We know that every family travels at a different pace. Some groups want a quick morning dash into the swamp, while others want a full day of wildlife immersion. We have curated three distinct adventures to fit your schedule perfectly.
Midway Airboat Adventure
If your vacation schedule is packed tight, the Midway excursion offers a fantastic, high-energy taste of the swamp without eating up your entire day. Located along the historic St. Johns River, this one-hour tour focuses heavily on the raw speed and unique terrain of the Central Florida waterways. It includes a brief alligator encounter afterward, providing amazing photo opportunities before we drive you straight back to your resort.
Wild Florida Airboat Adventure
This is our most comprehensive option, making it an absolute favorite for families who want to maximize their day. Your experience starts with a one-hour airboat ride deep into the protected swamps of Cypress Lake. After exploring the waters, you get full admission to the on-site Gator Park.
Here, you can walk along wooden piers to view exotic animals, see live alligator demonstrations, and even feed a giraffe. Because we include your hotel transportation and park tickets, it is a complete, worry-free day out.
This tour is especially popular with guests seeking unforgettable family airboat rides in Orlando, thanks to its combination of thrilling swamp exploration and interactive wildlife experiences.
Boggy Creek Airboat Adventure
For those who appreciate peace and natural beauty, Boggy Creek offers a deeply nature-focused experience. This one-hour ride glides through tall walls of cattails and open-water lakes. The captains here focus heavily on the history of the wetlands and the conservation of the local ecosystem. It functions beautifully as a half-day outing, leaving your afternoon completely open for pool time or evening dinners.
Why Choose O'scursions for Airboat Tours?
What separates O'scursions from other operators offering the best airboat tours in Orlando is our commitment to making the entire experience effortless. From hotel pickup to park admission, every detail is handled by our team so you can focus entirely on enjoying the adventure.
Most airboat docks sit thirty to forty-five minutes away from the main tourist corridors, tucked down winding country roads. Renting a car, mapping the route, and navigating traffic can quickly drain the fun out of the morning.
Many guests combine our tours with transportation services during their vacation. If you're arranging a private airport transfer in Orlando, our team can also help coordinate transportation recommendations to simplify your travel plans.
Airboat Tours for Families, Couples & Groups
The beauty of an airboat ride is its universal appeal. It is one of the very few activities where a five-year-old child and an eighty-year-old grandparent will sit side-by-side, sharing the exact same look of wonder.
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Multi-Generational Families: The boats feature comfortable, tiered bench seating, ensuring excellent visibility for everyone without requiring strenuous walking or physical exertion.
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Private and Corporate Groups: If you are traveling with a large group, school club, or family reunion, we can easily scale up our services to accommodate a full busload of travelers while maintaining our signature personal touch.
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Custom Adventures: Looking for a unique timeline, a specific dining stop, or a combination of multiple local sights? Our team loves designing custom itineraries tailored precisely to your group's wishes.
Book Your Ride Now
Instead of spending another afternoon looking at concrete walls and artificial structures, come see the real Florida. If you're looking for the best airboat tours in Orlando, let O'scursions show you a side of Florida that most visitors never experience. We can also arrange a private airport transfer in Orlando; ask our team about transportation options that can help make your entire trip seamless.
Let our family take care of your family for the day. Drop us a note through our website or give our Orlando team a quick call, and let's get your seats on the boat locked in.