The sun is burning on my skin when I step aboard the airboat. It`s my first time on a swamp boat, which is a small open boat with shallow draft and a caged airplane propeller capable of traveling high speeds through shallow water. I put in my earplugs as it`s advised because of the engine noise.
The boat swiftly maneuvers its way through the water. After a while our captain stops the boat as he has spotted an alligator. The gator slowly makes his way in the water, carefully taking in everything that is happening around him. It`s a strange feeling being so close to an alligator who can kill you in no time.
The Everglades are a natural region of subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. Everglades National Park, protecting more than 1.5 million acres, is the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48 states, behind Yellowstone National Park (2nd) and Death Valley National Park (1st). The area is home to rare and endangered species and has over 1,000 species of plants that live there.
We came across black vultures, a Black Bird and the Florida softshell turtle on our boat ride.
Here`s a little video I shot when on the airboat.
This boat trip took 30 minutes and we were a guest of the Everglades Tours, if you want to go yourself on an airboat ride, the price is $19.50 + Tax for adults, $10.00 + Tax for children between 4 and 12 years, under 4: no charge.*
*Prices were accurate at time of publishing
I was invited on this trip by Visit Florida, but all opinions are my own.
What else to do while in Florida?
Visit the NASA Space Center
Ride a Vespa in Miami
WOW, these photos looks amazing.
Thanks!
That is so crazy! I’ve always wanted to do that!
This looks amazing, love the stark wilderness of the everglades mixed in with the occasional interruption of electricity pylons – a small reminder busting civilization is very close by.
This was so much fun. I couldn’t believe how close the gators got!