Airboat Tours Near Port Canaveral
You didn't come to Florida to sit on a bus with 40 strangers. While cruise lines offer shore excursions, they often pile you onto massive vessels where it's hard to hear the guide or see the wildlife. At Switchgrass Outfitters, we run private, 6-passenger boats just 30 minutes from Port Canaveral.
For $65 per person, a fraction of what the ship charges, you get Captain Seth Whitaker (USCG Master Captain, 15+ years experience), a 90-minute private tour, and a front-row seat to the St. Johns River ecosystem.
314 Five-Star Reviews | TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice | Christmas, FL
Ship excursions cost $150+ per person for a crowded boat with 40 strangers. Our tours are $65 per person with a maximum of 6 passengers. You get the captain's full attention, better wildlife viewing, and an authentic experience.
Maximum 6 passengers per boat. Your group only. No strangers, no fighting for the best view, no rushed experience.
Ship excursions charge $150+ for crowded tours. We offer a superior private experience for a fraction of the cost.
Easy drive via FL-528 West and FL-520 West. Free parking on site. Plenty of time before or after your cruise.
Yes. Our morning tours are designed specifically to get you back to the terminal with hours to spare. We know the biggest worry for cruisers is missing the boat, so we've timed our schedule to work perfectly with embarkation windows.
If your ship leaves in the afternoon, start your vacation early:
Kicked off the ship by 9:00 AM but your flight isn't until evening? Don't sit at the airport all day. Drive 30 minutes west to us, enjoy a 90-minute tour, and you'll still be on your way to Orlando International Airport (MCO) by early afternoon.
You'll likely see 30-50 alligators on a single tour. Unlike the Caribbean ports you're heading toward, the St. Johns River offers a look at the 'real Florida': ancient cypress swamps, marshes, and an ecosystem that hasn't changed in centuries.
American Alligators: From 2-foot babies to massive 10-foot bulls basking on the banks.
Bald Eagles: Multiple nesting pairs along our route. Florida has the largest population outside Alaska.
Wild Hogs: Often spotted along the shoreline, especially on morning tours.
Roseate Spoonbills: Stunning pink wading birds that rival anything in the Caribbean.
Captain Seth, who grew up hunting and fishing these waters, knows exactly where the wildlife likes to hide. This is wild Florida, not a zoo.
It's a simple, straight shot from the cruise terminals to our dock:
The drive takes about 30 minutes. We have free parking on site.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is about 15 minutes from the port and 40 minutes from us. Many guests do both in one day:
If you're between the ship and the airport, you likely have suitcases. Keep them in your vehicle. We have a climate-controlled waiting area where we can store smaller bags while you're on the water.
Florida weather can change in five minutes. We monitor the radar constantly. If it's unsafe to ride, we reschedule or refund you immediately.
Call us at (321) 900-2494. We work with cruise passengers every week and understand maritime schedules can shift. We'll accommodate you.
"Did this before our cruise out of Port Canaveral. Perfect timing - got to the terminal with plenty of time to spare. Saw probably 40+ gators. Way better than any ship excursion would have been."
Jeff F.
TripAdvisor
"We had a few hours before boarding and didn't want to sit at the terminal. This was the perfect solution. Captain Seth was great and the price was way less than the cruise line's excursions."
Shayla P.
TripAdvisor
30 minutes. Whether you're at Terminal A (Royal Caribbean) or Terminal B (Disney/Carnival), the drive via FL-528 and FL-520 is direct.
We believe so. Ship excursions cost $150+ for a crowded boat. Ours are $65 for a private experience with a maximum of 6 passengers.
Yes. Our 8:30 AM tour gets you back to the terminal by 11:00 AM, plenty of time for afternoon departures.
Dress comfortably. You might get a little spray. Sunglasses are a must. Sunscreen is smart even on cloudy days.
Yes, kids love it. Seeing a wild alligator up close is usually the highlight of their trip. Children under 3 ride free.
Don't let your Florida vacation pass by without seeing the real thing. Our schedule fills up quickly when cruise ships are in port.
90-minute private tours | $65/person | 30 minutes from the port
Switchgrass Outfitters & Airboat Tours
28500 E Colonial Dr, Christmas, FL 32709
Family-owned and operated since 2009
