Environmentalists, Beware.
It was our first & our last swamp boat tour. My boyfriend & I are huge animal lovers & were excited to cruise the swamp. I honestly didn't expect to see any gators, especially since we went during the hottest part of the day. Initially, seeing the first one, I didn't think much of what was happening but about 20 minutes into the hour we booked, I was appalled.
The boats went right through perfectly healthy vegetation, purely to get to the gators' dens, rather than cruise open clear water. I understand this is a tourist attraction but I can't believe more stringent wildlife protection laws aren't in effect here. There were many dead & dying paths from the boats going through them & we got alarmingly close to a few dens. Those poor mothers must be terrified, especially given how keen their hearing is.
But the worst part is that I watched no less than 5 birds appear to have not made it out of the boat's way in time. Granted, I was sitting in the front row so didn't have the best vantage point, but I watched several birds scuttle over lilly pads & tall grass just in the nick of time & a handful that I did not see come out of the side of the boat they were running towards.
We were also smacked in the face & chest at least a dozen times (to be expected when in the front row) not just by small insects, but very large dragonflies. The saddest moment of this was when one landed in my boyfriend's lap &, likely injured, before he could realize what it was & what happened, he instinctually swiped it out of his lap & it landed on his shoe, which he kicked off all in a quick moment. It wasn't until he watched it fall under the side of the boat that he realized what it was & what happened.
While our guide was pleasant & indulgent in answering our questions, I would not recommend air boat tours to ANYONE who cares about wildlife.
I would love to see a healthy balance where this service could coexist with environmentally l-friendly restrictions but, on the whole, as is, a new light has been shone over what a swamp boat tour is & I...
Read moreThis was one of several adventures we planned for our Orlando Vacation. We chose this adventure because it is something we could do as a family, we could learn about this region of Florida and it was not far from Orlando. We opted for the 1 hour tour. In doing so it allowed more time on the boat and the opportunity to see more in nature. Our guide was Steve and he was awesome!! He made no promises that we would see gators. He did assure our group he would do what he could and that is exactly what he did. For my boyfriend who has always wanted to ride on an air boat it was the highlight of his trip. He really enjoyed the Q&A with Captain Steve. We seen so many gators. We got really close to them. We learned so much about gators, their behaviors and the laws/regulations for hunting. We also learned about several birds, turtles and other wild life in the area. Most of the gators were females and were guarding their nest. We did find a nest without the Mother and she popped up from the water and surprised us all. We also seen a male gator out of the water and that was exciting. The Boggy Creek tour was great because there was other things we could do before and after our trip such as a gator viewing area, a butterfly garden, a mining slueth area and a barbq joint or food truck for a quick bite. The prices were reasonable for the mining and food truck. We had a teen in our group. She enjoyed the mining. There were restrooms on site that were clean. There was also a shaded seating area to wait for your tour or grab a bite. This location was next to a marina. We seen people fishing at the marina. The location was beautiful and the rural area was a nice change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of Orlando. This adventure exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend an air boat tour with Boggy Creek. Thank you Boggy Creek & Captain Steve. In addition...dont forget sunblock. I got burnt being careless. I brought binoculars. Highly suggest doing so for this trip. Lastly, suggested to tip your guide. Dont forget...
Read moreBoggy Creek Airboat Adventures is an absolute must-do if you’re in Florida! From the moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making sure we had everything we needed for an unforgettable experience. The entire operation is well-organized, and you can tell they truly care about providing a top-notch adventure for their guests.
The airboat ride itself was absolutely thrilling! Our captain was extremely knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife, sharing fascinating facts about the ecosystem as we glided across the water. The airboat was smooth yet exhilarating, and we got to see some incredible wildlife up close—including several alligators! It was amazing to experience Florida’s natural beauty from such a unique perspective.
Beyond the airboat tour, Boggy Creek has so much more to offer. The Native American village was a fantastic addition, giving us a glimpse into Florida’s rich history. We also enjoyed the gem mining activity and exploring the beautiful surroundings. The entire place is well-kept, and it’s clear that they put a lot of effort into creating a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
I also have to mention the fantastic customer service. Everyone we interacted with was genuinely friendly and eager to ensure we had a great time. Whether it was helping us with check-in, answering questions about the tour, or making recommendations on what to explore next, their passion for what they do really stood out.
If you’re looking for an exciting, family-friendly adventure in Florida, look no further than Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. It’s the perfect mix of excitement, nature, and education, making it enjoyable for all ages. We left with huge smiles on our faces and memories that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the area—you won’t be disappointed!
10/10...
Read more