- Fort Lauderdale
They say never smile at a crocodile, but no one tells you what to do with alligators. Test those grins on some gators yourself in Florida's Everglades with this awesome nighttime adventure. For a full hour you'll be guided through the maze of glassy waters, looking for the lit-up eyes of your scaly prehistoric friends. We suggest keeping your hands inside the boat at all times.
The Everglades is a 2 million acre (809,000 hectares) wetland ecosystem, teeming with wildlife. It spans from central Florida, near Orlando, all the way south to Florida Bay. Explore a patch of it, and search for some of this precious ecosystems most famous citizens.
If you've never been on an airboat, you're in for a real treat here - these custom-designed boats sweep gracefully along their watery paths.
Aside from gators, prepare to see all sorts of nighttime creatures and critters as the swamp comes to life around you. You'll journey to some of the most exclusive areas of the Everglades, with the chance to see West Indian manatee, bottlenose dolphins, even Burmese pythons - now breeding throughout the park thanks to pet-owners who couldn't take care of their snakes and released them into the wild!
As you ride, your fearless captain will point out key features, and regale you with thrilling stories. Find out how the Seminole and panther once coexisted, and even thrived in this lush green wilderness. But don't forget to keep your eyes open. The banks are home to hungry, lurking gators, watching you even when you can't see them. (Gulp).