Everglades Ulusal Parkı: Sürüngen Sergisi ile Airboat Turu

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We arrived early and hopped on the 9:30 am airboat. It was pleasantly warm, but not too humid and since the sun wasn’t blazing, we were lucky to spot two gators. Our guide had amazing eyesight and knew exactly where to find them, easily spotting them among the water lilies and tree roots they were hiding in. Even if you don’t see a gator, the trip is definitely worth it. The Everglades are one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems and for that reason alone, you should visit. There’s a ton of plants, animals, and wildlife that rely on the Everglades for their survival. A visit here is super educational; for example, learning that gators, although there are about 1.3 million in Florida, are threatened by the Burmese python which lives in the Everglades. This python lays around 100 eggs per clutch! They’re super invasive and are slowly threatening the ecosystem that so many Everglades animals depend on. Coopertown Airboats claims to be the longest-running airboat service in the area, established in 1945. This lets them share stories from the past and provide valuable, informative facts about this precious ecosystem. If you don’t do anything else in Miami, take a trip to the Everglades and hopefully, this experience will inspire you to help protect this beautiful home for so many wild animals. Lastly, there’s a reasonably priced little gift shop where you can buy souvenirs.

This was probably one of my favorite things I did on my 11-night Florida trip. If you don’t have earplugs, I highly recommend you buy the ones they sell (only a couple bucks). The airboats are medium-sized, but the engine at the back is anything but. The loud 7 1/2 liters of unsilenced 454 Chevy Big Block power is unforgettable. Speeding into the Everglades was an experience I won’t forget - we saw four wild alligators (they came right up to the boat) and our guide was super knowledgeable and quite the comedian - plus he had the most epic beard this side of ZZ Top. He also explained how alligators act - they’re actually pretty lazy and mostly don’t care about us. That said, don’t get in the water, because if they’re hungry, they’ll take a piece of you! An absolutely fantastic experience - highly recommend.

If you’re after the classic airboat experience (like you see in the movies), go for a private charter. It was just my wife and me. We were able to book a time. The tour lasted 60 minutes (compared to the usual 40). We even made a stop at an island that used to be President Eisenhower's duck camp. The boat was smaller than those for the 24+ people tours and didn’t have a plexiglass shield that blocks the view. The cost is $170 each. But it's worth it.

The airboat tour through the Everglades was an incredible experience! The scenery is stunning, and getting to see wildlife up close is fantastic. The boat goes surprisingly fast, which adds some thrill, but watch out—your cap might fly off! It’s a fun adventure that’s perfect for families, with knowledgeable guides and lots to see. Definitely recommend it for anyone wanting to explore the Everglades in a unique and exciting way.