Airboat tour
Hi, driving Orlando to Miami. Staying 3 days. Then Miami to St Pete’s beach soon. Looking to do airboat tour. On what route would be best to find one?
If you’re driving from Orlando to Miami and want to include an airboat tour in your itinerary, the best approach is to plan a stop in the Everglades region or its nearby tour hubs along the route. The Everglades are a vast area, but most airboat tours are concentrated around the southern and western edges of the park, near cities like Everglades City and Homestead.
Here are some options for routing and tour choices:
- Via US-41 (Tamiami Trail): This is the most scenic route from Orlando to Miami that also passes along the northern edge of Everglades National Park. Towns along the trail, such as Everglades City or near Shark Valley, have multiple airboat tour operators. Stopping here allows a half-day or full-day tour without significant detours.
- Near Miami (Homestead/Florida City): If you prefer to reach Miami first and do the airboat tour nearby, several operators are located just south of Miami near the park entrances at Homestead and Florida City. These tours often include Everglades wildlife viewing with shorter travel from your Miami accommodation.
- Shark Valley (Everglades National Park North Entrance): Accessible from the US-41 route, Shark Valley offers guided tram tours and smaller airboat rides. It's a good option for a shorter, educational experience and is on your way if you take the Tamiami Trail.
Tips for planning your airboat experience:
- Book in advance, especially during peak tourist season (winter months), to ensure availability.
- Consider morning tours to avoid the heat and increase wildlife sightings.
- Check the type of tour: some focus on wildlife photography and calmer rides, while others are high-speed thrill rides. Choose based on your preference and comfort level.
- Traveling with kids? Look for family-friendly operators that provide safety gear and guided commentary about the ecosystem.
In summary, for your Orlando to Miami trip, the most convenient airboat stops are either along the Tamiami Trail (US-41) en route—especially near Everglades City or Shark Valley—or closer to Miami near Homestead/Florida City. These locations allow you to experience the Everglades without adding major detours to your road trip before heading onward to St. Pete’s Beach.
