Everglades

Alligators and the Everglades go hand in hand. They are also a few of the many things that Florida is known for and there is nothing like seeing these dangerous creatures up close. If you are staying in Fort Lauderdale then there are two places that will take you out to see them within a 30 minute drive from the downtown core:

1. Sawgrass Recreation Park
2. Everglades Holiday Park

What is the difference between these two? Well lets dive in.

Opening in the 1950's as a fishing camp, this attraction was the biggest of it's kind in 1970 but was almost destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. With new ownership this recreation park has focused more on rescuing and adopting reptiles and mammals as well as offering annual scholarships to local students. They are very focused on the environment and are currently creating new habitats as their rescued reptiles just keep coming.

While they do offer private and general admission, the choice is yours as to if you want to go during the day or at night. either way you will glide across the water at speeds up to 40 mph while looking for these beasts before being taken back to the exhibit area where you can walk through the 100+ exhibits of rescued reptiles and mammals while also taking in educational presentations throughout the day. If you are feeling lucky then bring your camera and take part in the hold a baby alligator experience.

More information as well as pricing can be found here.

Started in 1982 a tobacco farm owner taught himself how to build an airboat in his backyard, mortgaging his house to do it. Eventually he was able to get the airboat running and opened the Everglades Holiday Park in his backyard (which has expanded during the years). Besides the alligator tours you can also come here to do some fresh water fishing from the dock or on a professionally guided tour. No matter which you choose, their goal is to give you a highly memorable experience as everyone who works there is an expert, professional, and animal lover.

The 60 minute narrated Everglades boat tours have your travelling up to 60 mph while you keep your eyes peeled for the alligators with some of the most experienced captains in the business. After your ride pop into the Gator Shows where you can see the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue (which was made famous on the Animal Planet TV show channel) put on some live gator shows.

More information as well as pricing can be found here.

I've sent customers to both in the past and they always rave about them so which one you decide to do is more of a decision as to what you want to do there besides just the Everglades Boat Tour as those are pretty much the exact same no matter where you do. In the end, whichever one you choose I'm sure that you will have a blast as there is nothing like seeing a real, live alligator in the wild.

Decided that you do really want to go? I suggest any of these tours that I have either been on or sold to previous clients. Click the titles for more information, to check availability, and to purchase.

1. Everglades Airboat Tour from Fort Lauderdale
   Escape to Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale for a 1-Hour Narrated Airboat Tour . This adventure is a great way to experience the unique subtropical ecosystem of the Everglades. Skim across the grassy water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour while looking for alligators, wading birds and an abundance of flora and fauna in their natural habitats.
   
   
2. Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter
   Escape to the Florida Everglades for this airboat adventure and wildlife encounter at Sawgrass Recreation Park. This exciting airboat ride is a great way to experience the unique subtropical ecosystem of the Everglades. Skim across the grassy water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour while looking for wildlife like alligators, fish, turtles, and wading birds. This guided tour includes entrance to Sawgrass Recreation Park and an admission ticket to the animal exhibit and a guided airboat tour.
   
   
3. Private Tour: Florida Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Adventure
   Travel deep into Everglades National Park on this private airboat tour and wildlife encounter at Sawgrass Recreation Park. Experience the unique subtropical ecosystem of the Everglades on your own airboat, going deeper into the Everglades than on the typical public ride. Skim across the grassy water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour while looking for alligators, fish, turtles, and wading birds. This tour includes entrance to Sawgrass Recreation Park and admission to the Reptile and Glades exhibits.
   
   
4. Florida Everglades Night Airboat Tour near Fort Lauderdale
   Explore Everglades National Park on this airboat tour at night at Sawgrass Recreation Park. This exciting airboat ride is a great way to experience the unique subtropical ecosystem of the Everglades at night. Skim across the grassy water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (64 kph) while keeping your eyes peeled for alligators, fish, turtles, and wading birds. This tour includes daytime entrance to Sawgrass Recreation Park and admission to the Reptile, and Glades exhibits.
   
   
5. 1-Hour Air boat Ride and Nature Walk with Naturalist in Everglades National Park
   Explore the Everglades National Park with a naturalist guide, including an airboat ride and a nature walk, on this half-day tour. Learn about the area ecosystems and view alligators and local birdlife. On the smaller air boat, travel way out far from land and become immersed in the culture and remote beauty of the Native way of life, including a stop to a Native tree island village or two. A narrated scenic drive led by the master naturalist and round-trip transportation from your hotel or vacation rental in Miami, Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, or the port in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami included.