A daytime family airboat tour in Central Florida lasts about 90 minutes and works well for kids and grandparents alike. Headsets and Coast Guard approved life vests are provided for every age, and the captain sets the pace for your group. Most families see dozens of alligators, plus birds and open river scenery, all about 30 minutes from Orlando.
At Switchgrass Outfitters, a family-owned business since 2009, we run private airboat tours on the St. Johns River. To pick a family time slot, reach out to our team or call (321) 900-2494.
How long is a family airboat tour, and is it a good break from the parks?
Our tours run about 90 minutes on the water, which is long enough to really explore the river without wearing out little ones. Many large commercial rides last only 30 to 45 minutes and can feel rushed.
It is an easy half-day trip. We launch from 28500 East Colonial Drive in Christmas, on the St. Johns River, about 30 minutes from downtown Orlando. You can do a morning tour, grab lunch, and still have the afternoon free for the pool or a park.
For families who have been walking through crowded attractions for days, it is a welcome change. No lines, no crowds, just open sky, wind, and a wide stretch of Florida wilderness that most visitors never see.
Before and after your ride, there is cold bottled water and a climate-controlled waiting area, which helps on hot Florida days, especially with young kids.
Are airboat tours safe and fun for young kids?
Yes. We are glad to have young children and older guests aboard, and the captain adjusts the pace for a nervous rider or a little one. Our own captain's kids have been riding since they were a few months old.
Every passenger gets a Coast Guard approved life vest, including children, and everyone has a comfortable seat with a great view. Before we leave the dock, there is a full safety talk so the whole family knows what to expect.
Kids tend to love it. One little boy visiting from the Midwest was fascinated by the boat. We could hear him asking his dad all kinds of questions, like how fast it went and what it was made of. When he saw he would need to wear hearing protection, though, he got a little scared.
We gave the family time to settle in and explained what to expect. He was beaming the whole ride. A few minutes of patience at the dock often makes all the difference for younger kids.
Why do airboat tours require hearing protection?
Because airboats are powered by a large engine and propeller, and they are loud. Hearing protection keeps the ride comfortable for everyone, especially kids.
We provide comfortable headsets for all passengers during the ride. They block much of the engine noise, so the speed and wind feel exciting rather than overwhelming.
The captain slows down and idles near wildlife, which is when the boat gets quiet enough to talk, point things out, and take photos. Those slower moments give kids a chance to ask questions and look closely at what is around them.
If your child is sensitive to noise, let us know when you book. We can talk through how the ride will go, help them get used to the headset before we start, and keep the pace gentle. Explore our private airboat rides for families who want the boat to themselves.
What wildlife and scenery will your family see?
Alligators are the main attraction. Guests on our tours typically see 30 to 50 alligators, sunning on the banks or gliding through the water. Our stretch of the river holds hundreds of them.
Birds are everywhere, too. You may spot bald eagles, ospreys, herons, and roseate spoonbills. Wild hogs sometimes appear along the shoreline. Depending on the season, there are wildflowers like wild hibiscus and brown-eyed susans, plus old-growth cypress and even monarch butterflies.
The scenery is a big part of the experience. Open river, wide marsh, and big Florida sky give kids a sense of how wild this part of the state really is. It is the Florida many families never see from a theme park.
Morning rides are especially nice for wildflowers and cooler temperatures. Our daytime tours are the most popular choice for families. See all our options on our airboat rides page.
How do you reserve a family airboat tour?
Reserving is simple. Choose your date and time, tell us how many are in your group, and contact us by phone, text, or through our website.
Daytime tours are $75 per person, with a maximum of six passengers per boat. Smaller families can be seated with another group, and larger parties can book more than one boat on the same tour. Booking a private boat means it is just your family, with the pace set around you and plenty of time for questions.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a camera, plus a light layer for kids on cooler mornings. Our captain, Seth, has more than 30 years of airboat experience and will take care of the rest.
Ready for a break from the crowds? Contact Switchgrass Outfitters or call or text (321) 900-2494 to reserve your family's airboat tour time slot.
