How Our Captains Run Responsible Everglades Airboat Tours
An airboat can cross shallow sawgrass marsh that most boats can't reach. That's what makes it such a good way to see the Everglades, and also why the person at the controls matters. At Florida Tour Company, our team of USCG-licensed local captains runs every tour with the same goal: give you a great day on the water while treating the River of Grass with care. Here's what that looks like in practice.
A licensed captain and a boat that's just for you
Every one of our captains holds a U.S. Coast Guard license. Every airboat tour we list is private, so the boat is reserved for your group and we don't add strangers. Most of our boats seat seven, and larger groups get additional boats with their own captains.
A private boat changes the pace of the whole trip. Your captain can stop when someone spots a gator or a heron, slow down for photos, answer questions, or head back early if little ones get tired. Nobody else on board is waiting.
Reading the water first
Water levels in the Everglades rise and fall with the seasons and from year to year. Your captain picks a route that suits the day's conditions, not a fixed script. In a low-water year like 2026, that can mean avoiding areas that are easy to reach when the marsh is full. You can read more in Everglades Drought 2026: What Low Water Means for Your Airboat Tour.
Weather plays a part too. If conditions affect your departure time or route, contact us about your booking. Cancel at least 24 hours before your tour for a full refund.
Giving wildlife room
Alligators, wading birds and turtles are what most guests hope to see. We keep wildlife wild, which means we watch animals without feeding or touching them.
Because these are wild animals, sightings and how close you get always depend on conditions. A longer tour gives you more time on the water, but it doesn't guarantee a particular animal, and we'll never promise one.
Leaving nothing behind
Anything that blows off an airboat ends up in the marsh. We ask guests to keep hats, sunglasses and small items secured. For celebrations, please leave decorations and other loose items at home. We don't allow anything that could blow off the boat or be left behind in the Everglades.
Invasive species are part of the story
Some of the biggest threats to native Everglades wildlife come from animals that don't belong here. The Park Service says Burmese pythons are probably the main reason mammals have declined so sharply in Everglades National Park. Florida's wildlife commission (FWC) considers green iguanas invasive because of their impact on native wildlife.
Your captain can explain what that means for the animals you see, and the ones you don't. If you want to do more than learn about it, we also offer guided python hunts and other invasive-species outings, listed on our Everglades tours page. For the background, read Burmese Pythons in the Everglades: What Visitors Should Know.
Safety on every trip
Life jackets and hearing protection for every guest. Airboats are loud.
Complimentary cold water on airboat tours.
A safety briefing before you leave the dock. Follow your captain's instructions at all times.
No minimum age, and babies are welcome. Kids 5 and under ride free on listed airboat tours, but every child still takes a seat.
For more on traveling with children, see our family airboat tours page.
Questions about our captains and tours
Are your captains licensed?
Yes. All of our captains hold U.S. Coast Guard licenses.
Do you feed alligators to bring them closer?
No. Feeding alligators is illegal in Florida, and our captains find wildlife the natural way.
Can we ask the captain to stop for photos?
Yes. On a private boat, your captain can slow down or stop for photos and questions, depending on conditions.
Can you arrange a Spanish translator?
Yes. Mention it when you book and we can arrange a translator.
Ride with our captains
Compare private airboat tour lengths and prices, plan a group outing, add private hotel pickup ($400 round trip for up to 13 guests), or request your date.
Sources: NPS: Burmese python and wildlife-viewing distance · FWC: green iguana.
