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sedwheathome's avatar
sedwheathome
Explorer
Jun 08, 2014

Everglades/Airboat/Must Sees

Hello-
Leaving for Sanibel next week. Looking for recommendations on an air-boat company to use for a tour around the Everglades area...there are so many...just want one that someone had a positive experience. We'll travel down to Alligator Alley, but would like to make a day trip from Sanibel. Have 6 year old and a teen...any "must-see"s while there is appreciated! Safe travels this summer!
  • Vet_Man's avatar
    Vet_Man
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    I have been on several different ones, and agree the smaller ones are much more fun. They are faster and more agile. My best ride was "Speedy Johnson's" in the Naples area.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    D & M wrote:
    Dog Folks wrote:
    There will not be ANY air boat tours on Alligator Alley. It is part of the interstate system.


    The asphalt scrapes the bottom of the airboats. Except after a good rainstorm. :B


    What you probably do not know is that there are air boats, usually privately owned, capable of "powering off." That is they have enough power to move down a dry road! Scary amount of power. :)
  • D___M's avatar
    D___M
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    Dog Folks wrote:
    There will not be ANY air boat tours on Alligator Alley. It is part of the interstate system.


    The asphalt scrapes the bottom of the airboats. Except after a good rainstorm. :B
  • Camper_Sue's avatar
    Camper_Sue
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    We just got back from our trip to Key West and we took an airboat ride tour at this place http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/ We really enjoyed ourselves and they have a show after your ride as well, very informative and fun. Sometimes you can find groupon or livingsocial coupons for them. Also check at the Florida visitor center coupons in there as well.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    don't know about the everglades but do know about the ones in LA. we had the option of going on a small 3-4 passenger boat or a large 20 person one. the small one was much nicer it went faster and strayed into areas where the larger one couldn't go. looking at the wootens ad, it only showed the larger boats.
    bumpy


    X2 The smaller boats are definitely more fun!
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    don't know about the everglades but do know about the ones in LA. we had the option of going on a small 3-4 passenger boat or a large 20 person one. the small one was much nicer it went faster and strayed into areas where the larger one couldn't go. looking at the wootens ad, it only showed the larger boats.
    bumpy
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    There will not be ANY air boat tours on Alligator Alley. It is part of the interstate system.

    You will need to head west on US41, also known as the Tamiami Trail, to find some. It runs roughly parallel to Alligator Alley.

    When we lived in Naples, we used to go to Wootens, once a year. They are fairly close to Naples and never let us down.

    Here is a link: Wootens


    Hope this helps.

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