The 6 Best Everglades Airboat Tours Near Naples, Florida

Heading to Naples and want to glide through the Everglades on an airboat tour? There are several Everglades airboat tours near Naples and Marco Island to take when you visit Naples Florida.

An Everglades airboat tour is on everyone’s southwest Florida bucket list, and you can book an airboat tour from both Miami on the east coast and also Naples and Marco Island in southwest Florida.

The Everglades make a perfect Naples day trip as it’s just 30 minutes to an hour away.

These are the best Everglades airboat tours we’ve taken, and we take a lot of airboat tours. It’s one of those favorite things to do that every visitor wants to do.

And guess what? We still love taking them.

Maybe you’re not the outdoorsy type, or the thought of coming face-to-face with a toothy alligator or eye-to-eye with a big snake has kept you from setting foot in the Everglades.

Then you’re probably not interested in going camping in the Everglades either. No problem, I get it.

But generally speaking, the Everglades are misunderstood and surely underrated as a fascinating ecosystem to explore.

What to See on An Everglades Airboat Tour

No one who visits southwest Florida should miss out on visiting this fragile subtropical wilderness for an incredible outdoor adventure.

Here are some interesting facts about the Everglades: this part of the Glades is primarily comprised of mangroves, hammocks, marshlands, beautiful native plant species, and exotic flowers like orchids and bromeliads, not to mention some of the most incredible and endangered wildlife on the planet. 

An airboat ride is also a great way to see alligators in the Everglades.

Did you know that the American alligator and American crocodile coexist here, though the crocodiles live mainly at the southern tip of mainland Florida?

There are a variety of snakes — small and large, poisonous and not — dolphins, manatees, bobcats, an incredible number of wading birds, black bear, deer, and the elusive Florida panther.

You’ll see all this and more on an airboat ride in the Everglades, so don’t miss the chance to hop aboard on your next visit to Naples.

It will take you under an hour to drive the 36 miles from Naples to Everglades City and along the way you will see several tour operators.

You can’t miss them given the size of their billboard signs.  

Anhingas are sometimes called Snake birds because of their long neck
Alligators are common in the Everglades

Who Has The Best Everglades Airboat Tours

There was a time when airboats in the Everglades operated indiscriminately, damaging precious parts of the ecosystem by altering the landscape and disrupting the natural patterns of wildlife.

Today these operators are far more conservation-minded and limit their impact on these fragile ecosystems. We heartily applaud their efforts.

So when it comes to choosing the best Everglades airboat tours for our article, we took this to heart.

We recommend smaller airboats, seating up to 6 people, whenever possible. These smaller boats allow for a more personalized experience, and are less impactful on the environment.  

Tips to Know Before You Go

• Safety — Airboats are safe and fairly comfortable. Before leaving the dock you’ll be given a mandatory safety briefing, and then issued ear protection or a 2-way headset.

  The engines can be anything from 4-8 cylinder automobile or aircraft engines that power the huge propeller. They don’t have mufflers and they’re loud!

   

• Slow Travel the Glades — We always advocate for slow travel and conservation, so when you’re done with your tour and think there’s not much else to do in the Everglades, head to Everglades City, Chokoloskee, or Ochopee for lunch and to explore further.

  There are several museums where you check out more of the local culture and interesting history of the Glades.

• Ask Questions — For most of the airboat captains, the Everglades is their backyard and they love talking about it.

  Many have lived in the local area for most if not all of their lives making them very knowledgeable about the plants and animals that you’ll see along the way while interjecting some of the spicy local folklore along with natural history. And they’re experts at operating the airboat.

• TIP your Captain! — Most airboat captains love what they do — wouldn’t you love to be an airboat captain! — but tipping is always appropriate and welcome!

There’s no doubt that no matter which operator you choose, you’ll have a fun and interesting outing. Be sure to plan an Everglades airboat tour during your next visit. Here are our picks for the best Everglades airboat tours near Naples.

Everglades Airboat Tours Near Naples

1. Corey Billie’s Airboat Rides

20610 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL

When first time visitors come, an airboat ride is always a required experience, and you’ll want a Captain who knows the land. The owner and guides at Corey Billie’s are native Floridians who will take you deep into their 200-acre preserve for a tour that’s one part education and two parts fun.

The airboats seat 6-8 passengers and are driven by friendly and personable captains so you’re sure to have a personalized experience.

• Operating daily 9am—5pm

• Reservations highly recommended during season (Dec - April)

• Phone: (239) 389-7433

2. Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours

30999 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL

 The original small Airboat Tours in Everglades City, Captain Mitch’s has been family owned and operated for over 60 years.

This is another small boat operator giving airboat tours on thousands of acres of private swampland showing and a different part of the Glades including pristine grasslands and its inhabitants.

The Captains are all experienced experts and anxious to answer any of your questions.

MORE INFO:

• Operating daily 8am—5pm

• Make your reservation by phone or online.

• Phone: (239) 695-3377

3. Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours

905 Dupont St, Everglades City, FL  

For most people we recommend the signature Mangrove Airboat Tour through winding Mangrove Tunnels with Coast Guard Certified captains operating well-maintained vessels.

Captain Jack’s is known for small boat personalized tours, and offers a variety of packages that include two and three airboat tours.

The boats are now equipped with 2-way headsets so you can interact in real time with your fellow passengers and your Captain throughout your tour.

MORE INFO:

• Operating daily 9am—5pm

• Reservations can be made online

• Phone: (239) 695-4675

4. Everglades City Airboat Tours

907 Dupont St, Everglades City, FL  

This small family owned business stakes claim to being “the original”, and the company has been recognized by The City of Everglades for the quietest and most professional airboats in town.

Their small airboats are operated by experienced Coast Guard certified professional captains who will share their in-depth knowledge with you by using 2-way headsets.

They offer personalized small boat tours will take you through dense mangroves, tunnels, and over small bays.

MORE INFO:

• Operating Monday — Saturday 8:30am—5pm, Closed Sunday

• Make a reservation online or by phone

• Phone: (239) 695-2400

5. Jungle Erv’s Everglades Airboat Tours

804 Collier Ave, Everglades City, FL  

Take the Mangrove Canopy Small Airboat Tour. This one hour small boat tour seats up to six people and will take you with expert precision through mangrove canopies that create these winding mangrove tunnels.

Coast Guard licensed captains will point out wildlife as you go and share their knowledge of this ecosystem.

If you’d prefer a shorter ride, book a seat on the 30 minute Wilderness Airboat Tour that takes you through Jungle Erv’s private property.

Take a stroll on the boardwalk through the mangroves to spot small of the local inhabitants.

MORE INFO:

• Operating daily 9am—5pm

• Reservations Toll Free: (877) 695-2820

6. Down South Airboat Tours  

209 Collier Ave, Everglades City, FL

You’ll experience a much different ecosystem with this operator. Tours are conducted on the freshwater side of the Everglades in the sprawling grasslands.

Each captain selects their own route for each trip to maximize your sighting opportunities.

It’s possible to ride with them several times and never see the same things twice. This affords many amazing different views of this part of the Glades.

All boats are equipped with 2-way headsets so you can ask your captain questions as you go.

MORE INFO:

• Operation varies with the season.

• Summertime hours: Monday — Saturday 10am, 11:30am, 1:30am, 3:pm, Closed Sunday

• Wintertime (season): Monday - Saturday 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3pm and a 5pm, Closed Sunday

• By reservation only

• Phone: (239) 331-6613

What a Rush!

Speeding through mangrove tunnels on one of the best Everglades airboat tours is a rush! So fasten your seat belt and you’re off!

And yes you might catch a bit of spray between slowing down and speeding up, but what’s a few drops of water on a hot southwest Florida day.

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