Airboat Tours Near Kissimmee & Disney World
You didn't fly to Florida just to see animatronics. Between the park days, show your family the real thing: wild alligators, bald eagles, and untouched cypress swamps on a private 6-passenger airboat tour.
314 Five-Star Reviews | TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice | Christmas, FL
By day three of your Orlando vacation, the magic starts to compete with sore feet and overstimulated kids. An airboat tour offers something theme parks can't: a chance to sit down, cool off, and see the Florida wildlife you actually came here for.
The Jungle Cruise is fun. But on the St. Johns River, you'll see 30-50 actual alligators per tour, from 2-foot babies to 10-foot bulls sunning on the banks. Captain Seth Whitaker, a USCG Master Captain with 15+ years on these waters, knows exactly where to find them.
No lines. No Genie+ to manage. No walking. You sit on a cushioned seat while someone else drives. For 90 minutes, you get to enjoy the breeze and the wildlife while your kids stay completely engaged.
The average Disney guest walks 20,000 steps per day. On our airboat, you walk about 50 feet from your car to the boat. Parents tell us this is the first time they've actually relaxed all week.
Children love spotting wildlife in the wild. It's not just looking at animals through glass; it's a scavenger hunt on the water. Kids under 3 ride free. Captain Seth keeps children engaged with facts about gators, eagles, and the ecosystem.
The tour is 90 minutes. With the 45-minute drive each way, about 3.5 hours total. Perfect for arrival day, rest day between parks, departure day before your flight, or a park-free morning.
Unlike crowded tourist operations with 20 strangers per boat, your family gets the entire airboat to yourselves. Go at your own pace, ask all the questions you want, and enjoy quality family time.
Theme parks simulate Florida wilderness. We show you the real thing.
American Alligators: We typically spot 30-50 per tour. Morning tours catch them basking; evening tours see them hunting. These aren't on a track. They're wild, free, and completely indifferent to your presence.
Bald Eagles: Multiple nesting pairs live along our route. Florida has the largest bald eagle population outside Alaska.
Great Blue Herons and Ospreys: Common sightings throughout the tour, along with snowy egrets, anhingas, and wood storks.
Florida Wilderness: You'll glide through cypress swamps and marshes that look exactly as they did 100 years ago. No gift shops, no concrete, no crowds.
All tours are 90 minutes, $65 per person, and completely private to your group (up to 6 passengers).
90 Minutes | Private Tour
High visibility for photography and maximum wildlife sightings. Morning tours before 10 AM see the most active gator behavior.
The St. Johns River faces west, creating exceptional sunset views over the marsh. As temperatures drop, birds return to roost and gators become more active.
For families with older kids who want a thrill: see glowing alligator eyes in the darkness. Cooler temperatures make this ideal for summer visits.
We're located in Christmas, FL, in Orange County. The drive takes you away from the I-4 gridlock and into actual Florida.
Address: 28500 E Colonial Dr, Christmas, FL 32709
Christmas is on the way to the Space Coast. Many families combine a morning airboat tour with an afternoon at Kennedy Space Center (just 20 minutes past us). See gators and rockets in the same day, without stepping foot in a theme park.
We've earned 314 five-star reviews and the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice award, given to the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
"We did 4 days at theme parks and saved this for our last day. Best decision ever. The kids are still talking about seeing the gators up close. Captain Seth was amazing with the kids and so knowledgeable."
Leslie Stinson
TripAdvisor
"This was a great break from the parks. Our 8 and 10 year old loved it. Private boat meant they could ask questions without competing with strangers."
T Peters124
TripAdvisor
"My family spent 5 days in Orlando then did this tour. It was the highlight of our trip for the kids. Way better than the animatronic stuff."
Tula_alfa_a_austin
TripAdvisor
Most guests say the drive is actually refreshing. FL-417 bypasses the I-4 traffic, and watching the strip malls turn into cypress swamps is part of the experience. You'll spend your time on the water instead of stuck in Orlando traffic.
The Everglades are 3.5-4 hours south of Orlando. We're 45 minutes away. The St. Johns River has comparable wildlife, including dense alligator populations and bald eagles. You get the Florida swamp experience without the 8-hour round trip.
Easily. Our 90-minute tour plus drive time totals about 3.5 hours. Do a morning tour and be back at your resort by early afternoon. Or schedule it on arrival/departure day when park time is limited anyway.
Kids love it. There's no height requirement, children under 3 ride free, and Captain Seth keeps them engaged the whole time. Many parents tell us this was their kids' favorite part of the trip.
Yes, reservations are required. We run private tours, so we don't accept walk-ups. Book at least 24-48 hours in advance. Weekend mornings fill up fastest, especially during spring break and summer.
Skip the plastic gators. Show your family the wild side of Florida, just 45 minutes from your Kissimmee hotel.
90-minute private tours | $65/person | Up to 6 passengers
Switchgrass Outfitters & Airboat Tours
28500 E Colonial Dr, Christmas, FL 32709
Family-owned and operated since 2009
