What Is a Birding Airboat Tour?
It is a private airboat tour built around the birds. Instead of racing across the water, we work the shallow edges of the St. Johns River where the wading birds feed and the marsh birds hide, and Captain Seth cuts the engine so you can watch and shoot photos in peace. People come for gators and leave stunned by the birding.
The St. Johns is one of the richest birding spots in Central Florida, and an airboat gets you into water no other boat can reach. It is your group and the captain, moving at your pace, just 30 minutes east of Orlando. If a roseate spoonbill like the one here is on your list, this is how you find it.
What Birds Will You See?
More than you would guess. Roseate spoonbills are the crowd favorite, sweeping their spoon bills through the shallows in flocks of pink. Around them you will find great egrets, great blue herons stabbing catfish, and anhingas holding their wings out to dry on the logs.
Down in the marsh plants, the purple gallinule walks the lily pads on long yellow toes, about the gaudiest bird in Florida. Common gallinules paddle the open water with their bright red bills. Overhead you might catch a bald eagle carrying a fish back to the nest.
Then there are the specialties that make a birder's year. The snail kite, a federally endangered raptor that eats almost nothing but apple snails, works this marsh. So does the crested caracara, a striking black and white bird of prey that Florida shares with the tropics. You never know which ones will show, and that is the fun of our airboat rides.
When Is the Best Time for Birding?
Fall through spring is the sweet spot. As the water drops and northern birds move south for the winter, the marsh fills up and the wading birds pack into the shrinking pools to feed. Nesting season pushes eagles and spoonbills right out into view. A cool, clear morning in that stretch is about as good as Florida birding gets.
Summer still delivers, just earlier in the day before the heat and the storms. Whatever the season, come at first light. That is when the birds are hunting, the water is glass, and the photos come out best.
Want the birds against a painted sky? The wading birds come in to roost at dusk, so our sunset airboat tours double as a beautiful evening of birding.
Pricing for 90 Minute Airboat Eco Tour
Birding runs as our private daytime eco tour. Ask about sunset departures for evening birding.
Book Your TourBirding Photo Gallery
Birding Tour Questions
What birds will we see on a birding airboat tour near Orlando?
The St. Johns River marsh is loaded. On a single trip you might see roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, great egrets, anhingas, purple gallinules, common gallinules, bald eagles, and if you are lucky the endangered snail kite or a crested caracara.
Is an airboat a good way to go birding?
It is one of the best. An airboat reaches shallow marsh that other boats cannot, and Captain Seth can cut the engine and drift so you get close without spooking the birds. With only your group aboard, everyone has a clear view.
When is the best time of year for birding on the St. Johns River?
Fall through spring is prime, when wintering birds pack the marsh and wading birds gather at drying pools. Nesting season brings eagles and spoonbills into view. Early morning offers the softest light and the most activity.
Should I bring binoculars and a camera?
Yes. Bring binoculars and a zoom lens if you have one, plus a hat and sunscreen. Because the tour is private, we go at your pace, so there is time to identify birds, take photos, and just watch.
