Jungle Erv's Airboat Tours — Local services in Everglades City

I'm late but a year ago my mother and law and I took a ride with Jungle Ervs airboats. This was this Pennsylvania girls first time to Florida. I'm an avid outdoors woman and anything in nature is absolutely my thing. We had an absolute blast. Our pilot I'm sorry I have forgot his name, used to use the airboat to go to the gas station during jr high through high school. In fact he said that was how he mostly got around which I found to be an intriguing way to grow up. We whipped around all the mangroves like I would have done if I knew how to drive an airboat. We got a history lesson and most importantly a bio diversity lesson that was very in depth. We saw a few small gators, many many birds and all the flora and fauna one could imagine. I was in my zenith cruising around the Everglades for the first time. Once we were through, we got a complimentary pass to Wootens. (Not sure if this is always customary as it was the off season) Wootens was cool too with all the gators and wildlife on display if that is your thing. I'm not super into wildlife being kept at a zoo-like area. But the animals all looked healthy and happy and who knows, they could be rehabbed animals that couldn't be released. Not a PETA nut, just love nature to be free and wild. I did get to hold a small gator which was indeed fascinating to feel and hold. So I guess I'm not entirely opposed to some animals being kept as educational tools. A lot warmer and softer than I thought a gator would be. A very cool day that this nature nut will never forget. The smells, sights and sounds were all amazing to me. It was an amazing adventure that just about anyone (wouldn't recommend for those with sensory issues, loud even with headphones that are supplied.) would enjoy. There were elderly to young people on board. I would advise bringing cash so you can (absolutely should) tip your airboat captain. There is a small gift shop at Jungle Ervs which was awesome and if you're into stickers like me they have many cool ones. Wootens had a bigger shop more tshirts and kiddie type souvenirs. Both were not a let down and we both enjoyed ourselves...

Had a great time with Captain James! Went on the airboat tour not to really see animals - come on, what animal is going to be seen in the middle of a hot, sunny afternoon near a loud boat going at high speed - I went to see the everglades and ride an airboat. We choose the Mangrove Tunnels and 10,000 Island ride. It was a fast ride through the pathways created by the mangroves. Only something you could see by boat. We did see a couple of alligators and racoons that are used to the boats. Had a great time. Did the 1-hour tour, 30-minutes would have been too little. The hour went by fast! The boats go out every hour so be prepared to wait if you did not pre-book your ride. Did the Boardwalk and there wasn't much to see. Part is still destroyed from Hurricane Irma, but it is shady and pleasant walk. Look down when you get near the water to see the fiddler crabs scurring about. Unfortunately my fellow tourists have found it a good place to throw their trash into the woods. At the end are the alligators. There was no real "show." Just about 8 large alligators behind a fence. There there is an area where they will let you hold a 3-4' alligator. The boardwalk and alligators were included in the boat ride tickets, but were certainly not worth $19.95 as a separate purchase. This place is near the entances to the Florida Everglades National Park, but there is not much to see at this western entrance except boat rentals into the glades. There is also an entrance into the Big Cypress National Preserve and Ochopee Post Office (the smallest post...

If I could give negative stars, oh how I wish I could. I’m not even sure where to begin! Pictures the business has posted online are not an accurate representation of the product. First location didn’t have a restroom, our fan boat driver Wesley was condescending and rude, the “boardwalk” if you’d like to call it that, was falling apart and with the manatee side torn up with no signs until you walked the whole way there. We headed back to see the alligator show to find a very depressing scene. No one was there, with no return time or any information! We headed back to the entrance and asked about holding a baby alligator. A inexperienced, 10 year old boy pulls out a baby alligator from a 10 gallon Rubbermaid tote, with barely any water in it and picked the alligator up by its tail! He then proceeded to be extremely disrespectful to the alligator by dropping it on the floor, flipping it backwards, hitting it on its back for no apparent reason, bending its tale in ways it shouldn’t be bent, and then when handing it to us, he would just toss it to us! Meanwhile, during all his “acrobatics” the alligators mouth restraint fell off and he didn’t even notice. This was right before he was going to hand it to our 9 year old to hold; and we had to point it out to him! Needless to say, we are all just sick to our stomach how this baby alligator was being treated. We went to Captain Jacks last time and had a 100% better experience . Go to Captain Jacks if you want a true experience of the Everglades and where they treat the alligators...