Airboats, also known as fan boats, swamp boats, or plane boats, are powered by motors or engines that move massive propeller. The above-water propeller engine allow these flat-bottom boats to skim shallow waters, ideal for the Florida Everglades and other Florida swamps. The airboat tours are loud, fast, and exciting; plus riders may get to see alligators, turtles, birds, and other native animals.

Airboat rides allow for fun family moments, and they're great activities for out-of-town visitors. Need some more ideas to entertain visitors from beyond the Orlando area? Bring guests to the iconic ICON Park, spend a day at one of Orlando's epic theme parks, and cool down at the best water parks in the area.

Airboat Rides Near Orlando: Adventure Companies

1. The Black Hammock - Oviedo

Airboat rides last 30 minutes ($30 for kids, $35 for adults) and 60 minutes ($45 for kids, $60 for adults). Black Hammock offers Florida resident discounts as well as seasonal specials. Airboats can accommodate 12, 15 and 18 passengers, as well as airboat craft that seats six people. Check the website for specials. Reservations are not required for 30-minute tours, however evening tours require a reservation and an additional fee of $20. Children 2 and under may sit on a parents lap. The Black Hammock offers a restaurant, bar, lodging, and gift shop, so there's lots to do before and after the airboat ride.

RELATED: Everglades Airboat Tours To See Alligators in the Florida Everglades

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures offers a day of fun, both on and off the airboat ride. Photo courtesy of Boggy Creek

2. Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures - Kissimmee

Boggy Creek enhances the swamp boat tour experience with unique activities, including a fossil and gem mine, Native American village, and tiki bar (seasonal). Airboat rides are 30 minutes ($38 all ages), and 60 minutes ($58 all ages). Sunset tours ($71 all ages), night tours ($76 all ages), and private charters are also available. The vessels can carry up to 17 passengers. Purchase the Ultimate All-Inclusive Package and get an airboat ride, lunch, and gem mining!

3. Wild Willy's - St. Cloud

One-hour airboat rides are offered seven days a week, from 9am to 7:15pm. Make use of Wild Willy's $48 special for all rides who go out on the water at 9am (a great time during summer). Apart from the 9am special, tickets run $50 for passengers 3-10 years old, and $55 for those ages 11 and up. Children 2 and under ride free. Passengers may get to hold a small gator (great photo opp)! 

4. Spirit of the Swamp - Kissimmee

Spirit of the Swamp describes their tour as a "luxury" experience. In addition to being one of the few airboat vessels with shade, Spirit of the Swamp also uses two-way headsets, so passengers can ask the captain questions. Choose between a 60- and 90-airboat tour. Costs range $50-$90. Open seven days a week.

Spot gators while skimming the waters during Everglades airboat tours. Photo courtesy Wild Florida

5. Wild Florida - Kenansville

Wild Florida is a great tour company to make an entire day of an airboat ride. Wild Florida boasts a gator park, animal shows, and drive-through safari! Airboat tours last 30-60 minutes and range from $32 to $64. Private tours are available along with sunset and night tours. Airboat tickets include admission to the Wild Florida safari park. Closed on Sundays.

6. Airboat Rides at MIDWAY - Christmas

Piloted by U.S. Coast Guard master captains, Midway offers two-way headsets, an alligator encounter, and access to view birds, snakes, and a pig named Porkchop on property. All tours run one hour (kids 2-12 $42.25, adults $49.77). Private tours and group rates are also available.

7. Central Florida Airboat Tours - Cocoa

Specializing in intimate experiences, Central Florida Airboat Tours hosts up to six passengers per ride. Options include a one-hour ride and tour for $60, and a one-hour private tour ($300 for a party of six) or a two-hour tour ($500 for six passengers). Captains are U.S. Coast Guard licensed with over 20 years combined experience.

8. Capt Duke's Airboat Rides - Christmas

These airboats are smaller, hosting a maximum of six people, and allow for travel in narrow places that larger boats cannot navigate. Swamp boat tours last 60 and 90 minutes (kids $52-$70 and adults $56-$75). Sunset tours are also offered (four passengers minimum).

Swamp Boat Rides: Know Before You Go

• Airboat rides are LOUD. Swamp tours will offer ear protection—some tour operators offer headsets with speakers so you can easily hear the captain's commentary; others have two-way headsets so you can engage with the captain and other passengers.
• There's a reason we call these "alligator tours!" Airboat ride tour operators eventually slow, allowing for an up-close view of wildlife, like gators, and the sounds of nature.
• Airboat tours reach speeds of 45 miles per hour! Pack hair ties and hold onto anything loose on your person. Sunglasses are also recommended due to wind and sun exposure, as well as preventing any bugs landing in your eye area (think of what your car hood looks like after a road trip).
• Insect repellant and sunscreen are a must! Hats are always welcome, so long as they withstand the wind. 
• Families with younger children should consider shorter 30-minute or 60-minute airboat rides. Many airboat tour operators offer additional activities and experiences to complement shorter tours. Shoot for an early reservation if booking an airboat ride during the summer — most wildlife, especially alligators, come out in the morning before temperatures heat up, and Central Florida typically sees rain in the afternoon. If you plan to take an Everglades airboat tour in the winter months, reserve a time for late morning to noon.
• Show your airboat captain and staff appreciation with gratuity (bring cash).