Airboating in Florida

Airboating in Florida is a great way to see what the wetlands are like. So many endangered species to enjoy along the way.

Airboating in Florida

Florida is such a beautiful and interesting state to see. There is so much to do and visit. Especially attractions most would not think about doing. Like Airboating! If you would love to see Florida the way it really is, air boating is the easiest way to go.

And it’s fun and exciting!

About 20% of all the wetlands in the US are found in Florida. You don’t have to go too far to see some kind of water. Either it’s a lake, swamp, or holding pond. And because we have more than normal rainfall from June through November, the wetlands stay wet.

Airboating in Florida

One of the best ways to see all the beauty of the wetlands is by boat. To even fish in Florida, you either need to stand on a dock or have a boat. It’s not a good idea to stand on the edge of the lakes or you may encounter a gator.

Airboating in Florida

Our boat ride was in December, normally when the water is low and there isn’t a lot of green, the beauty is still so worth the trip. If you look closely in the picture above you will see one of the loudest birds in the country called a Limpkin. Not very attractive but makes up for its piercing cries. Their diet consists of eating snails. I could use those birds at my house.

Airboating in Florida

Another one of the wetlands beauties is the Bald Cypress tree and “knees” which come up from the ground around them. Studies say the “knees” are what help the tree soak up oxygen and keep the tree stable in the water. Such an interesting sight to see. Bald Cypress trees can live hundreds of years here in Florida. The Senator, a bald cypress that grew near Longwood in Seminole County until it was tragically burned in 2012 and was estimated to be about 3,500 years old.

Airboating in Florida

Most wetlands are covered by growth and a great play area for gators to hide and watch and wait.

Airboating in Florida

You never know what you will see floating down the river….

Airboating in Florida

or what creatures will be lurking around? We didn’t see any gators that day. Our tour was around noon and they are more likely spotted early in the morning or right before the sun goes down. More than one-third of the country’s threatened and endangered species live in wetlands.

Airboating in Florida

Our boat ride was down the Withlacoochee River with Wild Bills Airboat Rides. The river is close to our home and easy to get to. There are many airboat vendors around the Central Florida area and south and very easy to find. But if you are in Central Florida, I highly recommend Wild Bills. You can also hold a live gator at the end of the ride.

Wild Florida Airboats is another great company to try. They have a gator and wildlife park or ride a ranch buggy to enjoy too.

Airboating in Florida

There have been several movies made in this area.

Airboating in Florida

Some scenes from the Tarzan films were shot in this area back in the 1930s. Filming in this area had to be difficult and dangerous, back in the day.

If you want to have fun and FAST ride on an airboat and see what Florida wetlands are all about, just do a quick Google search for airboat rides and enjoy! To learn more about the wetlands, check HERE.

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27 Comments

  1. That is something I will try to do the next time I’m in a Florida. The photos are amazing!

  2. Airboating looks like such a fun thing to do, it would definitely be on my bucket list if I ended up in Florida again one day and it sounds like you had amazing time!

  3. I have always wanted to try airboating. I will be in Florida a few times this winter. It looks like so much fun.

  4. We live near a lot of water here in Wa state, but a boat ride in December snow would be no fun. Looks like a great time to go in Fl.

  5. One of the highlights of our trip to florida was going airboating and seeing the gators! It was breathtaking to be so close and see so many of them!

  6. I definitely want to do this some day. I’ve been to Florida, Georgia, etc so many times but never did it!

  7. Airboating sounds like so much fun! We are planning a trip to Florida so we definitely need to ad this on our to-do list!

  8. We did not get to go airboating while we were in Florida, but I have heard it is awesome! It is definitely something I have on my list for our next Florida visit!

  9. Now that looks fun. I bet my son would love to do that. I’ll have to see if this is available where I live. I JUST return from FL and don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon.

  10. I’ve never been on an airboat. It looks fun but the gators are kind of scary. I lived in Florida as a little kid and I remember seeing a few gators. But I’m sure there are many more in the wetlands. Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to check them out some day.

  11. When I lived in South Florida I must have gone to the wetlands only twice with school trips but I remember the airboating! It’ such a Florida thing to do and very memorable. Your photos are great btw.

  12. I have always wanted to go to Florida. I think there is something so beautiful and mysterious about the swamps. If I ever get to go there, I’m totally going to try an airboat ride for sure!

  13. It’s been so long since I last went to Florida! I think it’s awesome to be able to experience this, it’s fun and it’s also quite relaxing.

  14. This sounds like such a great way to explore! I’ve only ever been to Florida once, but would love to return one day.

  15. Air boating in Florida was sounds so much fun. Honestly, I haven’t tried this before and I want to add this to my lists. Glad that you share this

  16. This sounds so cool. I’ve seen this in a recent episode of scooby doo and thought it was so fun. I’ll have to look into this activity if I ever go.

  17. It’s funny that I’ve been to Florida many times in the past years and I still haven’t done this. I think airboating is fun and I’d love to experience it the next time we’re there! I’m sure the kids will enjoy it so much too.

  18. Since I’m in Louisiana, we’re state buddies! Besides the beaches, Florida and Louisiana have a lot in common!

  19. Travelling on lakes/rivers is an exciting adventure. Airboating is a little less scary because you do it in a body of water that is more calm and easier to control than sea or ocean.

  20. Great post on our state. I’ve been airboating on a tour of the Everglades and it was fantastic. The driver gave us so much nature info. Great fun and a way to learn too.

  21. this totally reminds me of when I was little and we would go on field trips to the everglades and I remember I would cry because I thought the I would fall in. Hahaha. I grew out of that stage it’s a cool thing to experience.

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