Must-Do in Orlando: Airboat Ride

Must-Do in Orlando: Airboat Ride

 

If you are tired of seeing the same stuff at the Orlando theme parks and amusement parks and you are thinking of what other things to do in Orlando today, now is the time to make that reservation to a thrilling and educational airboat ride.  Your family and friends will surely appreciate this superb experience as they see live alligators and other wildlife on these airboat tours.  It is really an experience worth your time and your money.

Going on an airboat ride is a great way to know about what's happening in Orlando FL – the wild side of this beautiful place before buildings were built and nature was the center of attraction.  Below is a list of the few places where you can go on different kinds of airboat tours where you and your family are assured of an educational, entertaining, and unforgettable experience.

Black Hammock Adventures

Address:  2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo, FL 32756

Phone Number:  (407) 365-1244

Reservations:  Not required from 9:00 A.M. to 5 P.M.; Tour starts every 30 minutes

Black Hammock Adventures allows you to explore Lake Jesup on an airboat.  Lake Jesup is a hundred-year-old Orlando Lake that is home to the largest cluster of powerful reptiles – alligators.  You can also encounter other animals in the tour such as bobcats, birds, and boars.

Black Hammock operates four airboats that are U.S. Coast Guard approved.  These airboats accommodate 12, 15, 18, and 21 passengers respectively.  A smaller airboat good for 6 people is also available.  The adult rate for a 30-minute ride is $26.95 and $21.95 for children 10 years old and below.  These rates are tax-exclusive.  Black Hammock accepts reservations for a tour bus and for large groups.  After an enjoyable ride, you can go straight to The Black Hammock restaurant and receive 10% discount upon showing your ticket.  There is also a free Live Gator exhibit that’s open to everyone.

Black Hammock Airboat Rides has received numerous awards and recognitions in the recent past.  It got a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor in 2012.  In 2013, it got the same award from TripAdvisor and was named the Best Local Attraction by Seminole Voice Ovations.  The Black Hammock Restaurant also got a TripAdvisor certificate of excellence in 2013, while the Lazy Gator Bar was named the Best Night Life and was one of the finalists in the Best Music at a Business category of Seminole Voice Ovations.

Black Hammock was also featured on TV on Fox 35 and was showcased on write ups from The National Geographic and The Examiner to name a few.  Visit their website www.blackhammockairboatrides.com and learn more about their rates and tours.

Kissimmee Swamp Tours

Address:  4500 Joe Overstreet Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739

Phone Number:  (407) 436-1059

Reservations:  Not required, but recommended

If you are interested to “ride” along history lane and see “true” Florida, the one untouched by urbanization, Kissimmee Swamp Tours invites you to experience an airboat ride like no other.  They may be located farther from all the theme parks compared to the other airboat rides offered in Orlando, but they take pride in the “real” Florida experience that they provide their visitors with.  No houses.  No theme parks.  No traffic.  There are you, your captain, and 36,000 acres of Lake Kissimmee, the third largest lake in Central Florida comprised of swamp, wetlands, and wildlife all around you.  You will also see a lot of birds like the American Bald Eagle, Snail Kites, and Whooping Cranes.  There are hundreds of species of birds including endangered ones since your adventure is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Unlike other airboat rides, Kissimmee Swamp Tours provides 6-passenger airboats.  They also provide special radio headsets during the tour that allow you to hear the airboat captain loud and clear.  You can also speak with him for any questions and clarifications.  These headsets allow two-way communication while on the tour since the noise prevents any communication at all.  An hour of airboat ride costs $49 for adults and $35 for kids, while the 90-minute ride is priced $64 and $44 respectively.  Children under 3 years old are free of charge.

Kissimmee Swamp Tours presently offer promos and discounts.  They are giving a $4 discount per head if you mention their website.  If you are a Florida resident, you also get a special discount upon reservation.  Just present your Florida driver’s license or State Identification Card and Kissimmee Swamp Tours will give a special rate for you.  This airboat tours company was given the Certificate of Excellence Award from TripAdvisor in 2015.  Learn more about this all-nature adventure on an airboat by visiting www.kissimmeeswamptours.com.

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides

Address:  2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Phone Number:  (407) 344-9550; (407) 279-4099 (For group reservations and media calls)

According to their history, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides is the first of its kind when it opened in 1994.  It was not a popular tourist spot back then. The Longs, the family who started Boggy Creek, tried their best to talk with travel agents, journalists, and customers to spread the word about this new Florida experience.

The Longs’ years of hard work paid off.  At present they have eight airboats that can accommodate up to 17 passengers and four 6-passenger airboats.  They even opened a second location at 3702 Big Bass Road to accommodate the growing rate of guests and visitors.

Due to this great improvement, they offer several tours that you can choose from.  There are sunset tours, science tours, swamp tours, night expeditions, even a combo package wherein you can enjoy an airboat ride by day and a rodeo show at night.  Tours last from half an hour to 45 minutes depending on which package you availed.  For rates, directions, and other tours, visit their website at www.bcairboats.com.

Going on exciting airboat rides is surely a great way to celebrate family events, appreciate the flora and the fauna, and experience the untamed Florida.  Because of the wonderful experience that you will get from these airboat rides, Orlando is named not only the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” but also “The City Beautiful”.

 Aside from airboat rides, there are many other things you can do in Orlando, Florida.  Learn more about these exciting activities by visiting www.Explore407.com today.

If you would like your business featured or to gain community exposure, or if you have an event to submit, email me at info@explore407.com or call (407) 230-6836.