A Nesting Pair on Our Airboat Tour
Some mornings the river hands you something you cannot plan for. On this private airboat tour, it was a pair of bald eagles sitting side by side at their nest, close enough that we could see one calling to the other. When you ride with Switchgrass Outfitters, you are not fighting a big crowd for a look. It is your group, the captain, and whatever the St. Johns River decides to show you.
We run out of Christmas, FL, about 30 minutes east of Orlando. The marsh here is quiet enough that eagles nest and raise young right over the water. A private airboat tour lets us slow down, hold still, and let the birds settle instead of blowing past them at speed.
Captain's Journal: Two Eagles at the Nest
I have watched this particular pair for a few seasons now. They built their nest high in a moss draped tree with a clean line of sight over the marsh, and every winter they come back to it and pile on more sticks. Florida holds one of the largest bald eagle populations in the lower 48, and the St. Johns basin is a big reason why.
We eased in slow. Both adults were home, one perched a little higher than the other, heads turning as they tracked the water below. I cut the engine early so we drifted the last stretch. That is the whole point of these airboat rides. A giant commercial boat cannot get quiet enough for a moment like this.
Nesting season here runs roughly October through May. If you want eagles, book a cooler month and come early. The birds are most active around the nest in the morning, before the heat sets in.
The guests barely spoke. Everybody just watched. It is the kind of thing people expect to drive hours south for, and here it was, a short hop from the theme parks.
What You Get on Your Private Airboat Tour in Christmas, FL
Your tour is 100% private. That means zero strangers on your boat, just your group (up to 6 people) and Captain Seth. You are not sharing the experience with random tourists or waiting your turn for photos.
Hearing Protection
Every guest gets premium hearing protection headsets. These aren't cheap foam plugs. They're comfortable, adjustable, and let you hear the captain's narration clearly while blocking out engine noise associated with most airboats.
Safety Gear
We provide Coast Guard-approved life vests for all ages, including infants. Cold bottled water is included, and there's covered seating if you need a break from the sun.
90-Minute Tour
The tour runs 90 minutes, not a rushed 45-minute loop. You can stop anytime for photos, ask as many questions as you want, or request high-speed segments if you're after thrills.
Tailored Experience
It's your tour. Captain Seth adjusts the experience based on what your group wants to see and do.
We're located at 28500 E Colonial Dr, Christmas, FL 32709. That's right off Highway 50, about 30 minutes east of downtown Orlando. If you're staying near Disney World, it's a 45-minute drive. Because of our location, those seeking the finest Port Canaveral airboat tours can reach us in a mere 30 minutes from the cruise terminals, making it an exceptionally convenient excursion.
Pricing for 90 Minute Airboat Eco Tour
* Call for pricing on the night and lunch/dinner tours.
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Why Is the St. Johns River So Good for Eagles?
The short answer is food and space. This stretch of the St. Johns is loaded with fish, and eagles are opportunists. As we sat there, one of the adults dropped off the nest and opened up those huge wings right over our heads. You feel the size of a bald eagle when it passes low like that.
Wide open marsh gives them room to hunt and clear sightlines from the nest. They will snatch a fish off the surface, and they are not above bullying an osprey into dropping its catch. Late in the day that same open water lights up gold, which is why our sunset airboat tours are a favorite for photographers.
If you are coming from the coast between cruises, you are closer than you think. Folks booking airboat tours near Port Canaveral reach our dock in about half an hour, no Everglades road trip required.
Meet Captain Seth: USCG Master Captain with 15+ Years of Experience
Captain Seth Whitaker holds a Master Captain license from the U.S. Coast Guard. That's the highest level of professional mariner certification. It requires thousands of hours of sea time, rigorous written exams, and regular renewals to maintain.
He's been navigating the specific channels and marshes of the St. Johns River for over 15 years. This isn't a side job. He grew up here, raised his family here, and knows every hidden slough and wildlife hotspot to deliver the ultimate airboat rides.
All Switchgrass Outfitters boats are inspected and meet U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations. That includes fire extinguishers, life vests for all ages, communication equipment, and regular maintenance logs.
You're not getting a 19-year-old seasonal worker reading from a script. You're getting a licensed professional who actually lives on this river and knows it better than anyone.
Real Reviews from Real Guests
"I'm going to tell you, this is the airboat guide you want. We had Seth, he was great. Showed us around and we saw well over 100 gators... A++++"
Erik B., Oviedo
(Google Review)
"Captain Seth has extensive knowledge of the area as he not only grew up there, but he is also raising his family and uses the land for sustainability... I highly recommend if you're in Christmas, Florida."
KeiLani B., Titusville
(Google Review)
"Just amazing, first time and it was the greatest experience ever. Seth was a fantastic guide... You won't regret it!"
Jessica S., Orlando
(Google Review)
Switchgrass Outfitters holds 314 five-star reviews across Google and TripAdvisor. We've earned TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice Award, which places us in the top 10% of attractions worldwide based on traveler ratings.
Read More Reviews on GoogleFrequently Asked Questions About Eagle Sightings
What time of year can we see bald eagles on an airboat tour?
Nesting season on the St. Johns River runs from about October through May. That is when a mated pair is most active around the nest, so a morning tour in the cooler months gives you the best odds of seeing them.
Where do bald eagles build their nests near the river?
They pick the tallest tree with a clear view, usually a living pine or an old cypress near open water. The same pair often reuses and adds to that nest year after year, so once we know where one is, we can check it on every tour.
Will the airboat scare the eagles off?
No. We keep our distance and cut the throttle well before we reach a nest tree. Because our boat carries a maximum of six guests, we can drift quietly and watch without pushing the birds off their nest.
Do we need a long camera lens to get eagle photos?
A phone works for the wide swamp shots, but a zoom lens helps for the eagles themselves since we hold back from the nest. Bring binoculars if you have them. Captain Seth will position the boat so the light is behind you.
Service Area: Nearby Cities We Serve
Switchgrass Outfitters is located in Christmas, Florida, and serves guests from across Central Florida. We are the premier choice for Port Canaveral airboat tours, offering a quick and straightforward drive from the cruise terminals. We're an easy drive from:
- Chuluota (9 miles)
- Bithlo (10 miles)
- Mims (15 miles)
- Geneva (16 miles)
- Titusville (17 miles)
- Oviedo (18 miles)
- Port Saint John (18 miles)
- Sharpes (19 miles)
- Cocoa (20 miles)
We're also convenient for visitors staying in Orlando, Sanford, and Altamonte Springs.
Book Your Private Airboat Tour Today
Don't waste half your vacation driving to the Everglades. Experience the real Florida wilderness just 30 minutes from Orlando with a 100% private airboat tour. You'll see 30-50 alligators, bald eagles, and untouched cypress marshes with a USCG Master Captain who was born and raised here. These are truly the most immersive alligator airboat rides in Central Florida.
Tours run 90 minutes. Maximum 6 passengers. Premium hearing protection and life vests included. Book online or call us, you'll hear back within 24 hours.
