Best is certainly a relative term. However, googling “Everglades airboat tour” brings up a LOT of options—so many that I personally felt a bit overwhelmed at first. And maybe you’re feeling unsure, too, which is why you’re reading this now.

If you need help finding the best airboat tour for your trip to the everglades, let me share what I’ve learned about Florida Everglades airboat tours to help you navigate the waters, so to speak.

Airboat Tours in Everglades National Park

If you’re looking for a guided airboat tour in the actual Everglades National Park, keep reading.

First, did you know that recreational, private airboating in Everglades National Park is limited by the federal government and will one day be banned completely? That’s right. A 1989 expansion of the park led to a mandate that currently only allows a select group of “grandfathered in” active boaters to airboat in the park.

I do want to make a quick distinction that not all of the area considered The Everglades is part of Everglades National Park.

READ MORE about the private airboat ban here.

Given the private airboat restrictions inside the national park, it’s no surprise that even public airboat tours are limited there. In fact, the National Park Service only allows three airboat tour companies to operate within the park—Coopertown Airboat Tours, Gator Park Airboat Tours, and Everglades Safari Park. All three are located closer to Miami on the east side of Everglades National Park.

BOOK an Everglades National Park airboat tour here.

Note: If you see a company other than the three above offering an Everglades National Park boat tour, please understand that it is NOT an airboat tour. It will take place on a larger tour boat with a traditional motor. Basically, any company (again, other than the three above) offering an airboat tour in The Everglades will not take you into the national park.

Big Cypress National Preserve and Wildlife Management Area Airboat Tours

Big Cypress National Park borders Everglades National Park to the north. Here, additional airboat tours can access parts of The Everglades not controlled by the National Park Service.

Here are details about two tour options:

Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours

This guided airboat tour is run by the Miccosukee Tribe and offers entry to parts of The Everglades only accessible by the tribe.

Wooten’s Everglades Grassland Airboat Tour

If you want a tour through the unique grassland ecosystem of The Everglades, this tour is for you. Wooten’s operates just north of Everglades City in Ochopee, Florida along US Route 41.

Guided Airboat Tours in Everglades City

Everglades City is located near the edge of Everglades National Park. Airboat tours that operate here will take you through the mangroves — which are part of The Everglades’ ecosystem, along the coastline. While you don’t get to experience the grasslands, a tour through the mangroves is equally unique!

Here are three airboat tours located in Everglades City:

Everglades City Airboat Tours

Considered the “original” Everglades City airboat tour company, Everglades City Airboat Tours has operated since 1982.

I personally experienced this tour and, let me tell you, it is a RUSH. Our airboat guide zipped through the mangrove maze of tunnels, expertly navigating tight spaces and sharp curves. It felt like we were floating above the water at speeds up to 35 miles per hour!

The tour lasted just about an hour and was the perfect mix of mangroves and more open water where we spotted a dolphin playfully chasing a fish for its dinner.

Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours

This tour company is located right next to Everglades City Airboat Tours and follows a similar tour area. While I can’t speak to this tour personally, I would encourage you to read reviews and consider all tour details to see which is best for you.

Jungle Erv’s Airboat Tours

Jungle Erv’s is another airboat tour in the Everglades City area. One thing to note here is that, while Jungle Erv’s advertises “Everglades National Park boat tours,” these are not airboat tours. Regular boats are not prohibited in the park like airboats are, so these tours take place in a larger boat with a traditional boat motor.

Again, be sure to read the details about each tour before deciding which one to book.

Airboat Tours in the Miami Area

As I mentioned above, the three tour companies authorized to enter Everglades National Park are located just outside of Miami on the east side of the national park. Again, those three are:

• Coopertown Airboat Tours
• Gator Park Airboat Tours
• Everglades Safari Park

When you search “Miami airboat tours,” any other tours that come up will not take you into the national park, though some may go into The Everglades grasslands surrounding the park.

Tips to Choose the Best Everglades Airboat Tour

If the choices still seem overwhelming, let me share a few final tips to help you narrow it down.

1. Location — Determine the location that best fits your travel itinerary, whether that it Everglades City near Naples, Big Cypress National Preserve to the north of Everglades National Park, or the Miami area.
2. Experience — Do you want to airboat IN the national park? Through the grasslands? Mangroves? Your preference here will definitely narrow down your options.
3. Cost — Tour prices vary, so be sure to check the cost per adult (and child, if applicable).
4. Flexibility — If you need a specific time, it’s always best to book in advance, but be sure to check the refund policy, just in case. Some tours (and time slots) seem to fill up quickly, while others advertise that no advanced booking is needed.
5. Tour length — The shortest tours seem to be 1 hour. Other tours are available for 3+ hours. If you don’t have more than an hour to spend or would prefer a shorter tour, pay attention to the duration.
6. Private or shared tour — Some tour companies offer private tours, where you can book the entire airboat for your own party. Otherwise, you will be sharing the experience with strangers. Boats can vary in size as well. For example, the Everglades City Airboat Tours offer six seats per boat, while others may carry up to 12 passengers. Keep that in mind, whether you want a private airboat experience or are okay enjoying it with people you don’t know.

I hope this helps you decide which tour to book for your Florida Everglades airboat adventure.

If you do book a tour, please comment below and let me (and other readers) know which one you chose and how it went!