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From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
Merrilee Fraser

Merrilee

May 2025
5/5
I was amazed by the overall experience especially the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. We arrived an hour earlier and asked if we could get on the next airboat and he did it without hesitation. Then we had Captain Adam as our guide and he was knowledgeable and great at pointing out not just gators but the different birds we saw. It was a great experience and the price was very reasonable. We can't wait to come back. Thank you for starting our vacation out perfectly.
Elena

Elena

May 2025
5/5
Visited with my parents and my little brother (he’s 8). Our guide, Tim, was super funny and kept us all entertained. We sped through the water and then drifted quietly to spot alligators (saw 4, one really close!). Learned a lot about the plants too. Bring a hat—it gets HOT. A couple of the other boats looked crowded but ours was fine. Great family outing.
Hanna

Hanna

Mar 2025
4/5
Visited with my parents. The airboat ride was fun and we saw some gators. Facilities are basic, so don’t expect anything fancy. Bring snacks.
Nils

Nils

Mar 2025
4/5
Fun tour, but the bus ride was longer than I’d hoped. The Everglades are worth it though. Take a jacket – it can get chilly on the water!
Felix

Felix

Jan 2025
5/5
Did this solo and really enjoyed it. The guide explained a lot and I learned stuff I didn’t expect (like how the Everglades isn’t a swamp – who knew?). Bring sunglasses, the glare is INTENSE.

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Why take an Everglades night tour

Alligator partially submerged in Everglades water during night airboat tour.

✔️ Spot alligators after sunset

Glide through the wetlands with a guide using spotlights to catch the glowing eyes of alligators and other nocturnal animals like owls, bobcats, and frogs.

An airboat glides across the tranquil waters of the Florida Everglades at dusk, its wake creating a subtle mist trail behind it. The soft blue of the sky and water, punctuated by distant greenery, evokes a sense of adventure and peace.

✔️ Cruise the Everglades by night

Enjoy an airboat ride under the stars through Sawgrass Recreation Park. The cool air and quiet swamp amplify every splash and rustle, making this a truly immersive nature experience.

Visitors feeding a tortoise at Sawgrass Recreation Park Wildlife Show.

✔️ Access exhibits by day

With your night tour ticket, you’ll also get free access to Sawgrass Recreation Park’s daytime exhibits. It’s a great chance to check out rescued reptiles, and exotic animals before your airboat adventure.

Alligator resting on a log in the Everglades during a night airboat tour.

✔️ Small groups, expert captains

Each tour is led by an experienced airboat captain who knows how to navigate the Everglades in low light and spot hard-to-find creatures.

Young alligator in water among reeds, Everglades National Park airboat tour.

✔️ An unforgettable twist on the classic airboat ride

Day tours are popular, but a night ride adds a thrill of mystery, discovery, and natural wonder. Perfect for adventurous visitors and wildlife lovers alike.

Aerial view of lush mangroves and waterways in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA.

✔️ See the Everglades come alive after dark

The swamp takes on a whole new personality at night. It’s quieter, cooler, and full of unexpected sounds. This is the best way to witness how the Everglades truly come alive when the sun goes down.

What to expect on your tour

Airboat gliding through Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park with passengers.
Alligator in water during Everglades National Park airboat tour.
Group enjoying an Everglades airboat ride through marshland.
Stargazing at Mt. John Observatory under a star-filled sky.
Airboat with tourists in Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park.
1/5

Meet your captain and gear up

Your experience begins at Sawgrass Recreation Park, just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale. Meet your captain, grab your ear protection, and board the airboat under a darkening sky.

Spot alligators and nocturnal wildlife

As your boat glides across the water, your captain will scan the wetlands with a flashlight to reveal glowing alligator eyes and creatures hiding in the reeds. Listen closely, you’ll hear frogs, crickets, and maybe even a distant splash.

Learn about the Everglades ecosystem

Throughout the ride, your guide will share fun facts and insights about the animals, plants, and wetlands, revealing how this fragile ecosystem comes alive at night.

Enjoy stargazing from the open water

Away from city lights, the Everglades sky lights up with stars. Some nights, you may spot constellations or even catch the moon rising over the swamp.

Explore Sawgrass by day, too

Bring your voucher and a valid ID on the same day of your night tour to visit the exhibit areas at Sawgrass Recreation Park. See native and exotic animals up close in naturalistic habitats.

Your night tour explained

Airboat cruising through Everglades Holiday Park waterway surrounded by lush greenery.
  • Sawgrass is one of the very few places where you can hop on an airboat after dark, and trust us, the Everglades feel totally different at night. 
  • You’ll glide across moonlit waters with your expert captain leading the way, shining a spotlight to reveal glowing gator eyes, frogs lurking in the reeds, and maybe even a curious owl overhead. 
  • Your ticket also gets you free daytime access to the reptile exhibits. So you get wild adventures both day and night.

Location: Sawgrass Recreation Park
Transportation: Not included
Timing: Airboats leave at 8:30pm

Recommended tours:

​Everglades Airboat Night Tour

Highlights of your night escapade: Wildlife, stars, and swamp sounds

Alligator in marshland during airboat tour.

Alligators by flashlight

Catch a rare glimpse of Everglades alligators as your guide shines a spotlight across the marsh. Their eyes reflect the beam with an eerie red glow.

Turtle swimming in Everglades water during airboat night tour.
Everglades aerial view with waterways and lush greenery, Miami airboat tour.
Airboat tour in Everglades Holiday Park with passengers exploring wetlands.
Children holding a small alligator during Everglades airboat tour experience.

Plan your night tour

Cars parked on grass at Keukenhof parking area.
  • Free parking is available on-site, so you won’t have to worry about finding a spot or paying extra before your tour begins.
  • Ear protection is provided to ensure a comfortable ride, especially for younger visitors, as airboats can get loud.
  • Restroom facilities are available at Sawgrass Recreation Park.
Girl applying insect repellent on arm in tropical outdoor setting.
  • Don’t forget your night tour voucher and a valid ID. You’ll need both if you plan to visit the daytime exhibits at Sawgrass Recreation Park.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes, since you’ll be boarding an airboat and sitting outdoors for about an hour.
  • A light jacket is a good idea, especially if you're sensitive to cooler night air or if there’s a breeze out on the water.
  • Bug spray isn’t a must, but it’s definitely recommended. This is the Everglades, after all, and the mosquitoes know it.
  • If you plan to take photos, bring a camera or phone, but be mindful that flash photography can disturb the wildlife.
Person fastening a life jacket buckle for Black Boats Tours.
  • You’ll need to book your spot in advance. Night tours don’t allow walk-ins, and availability is limited, so it’s best to reserve early.
  • Each tour requires at least 10 guests to run, so if there aren’t enough people signed up, it may be rescheduled or canceled.
  • The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, so keep that in mind when planning your visit if you or someone in your group has mobility needs.
  • Children age 6 and under must wear a life jacket during the ride, which will be provided for you at the park.
Airboats docked at Everglades marina for private 1-hour adventure tour.
  • Plan to arrive at least 45 mins before your ride so you have time to check in, get your ear protection, and settle in before your airboat heads out.
  • If you want to visit the daytime exhibits, try to go earlier in the day so you’re not rushing to finish before your night tour.
  • Once you’re on the boat, there are no bathroom breaks, so be sure to use the restroom before the tour begins.
  • Leave the flash off your camera or phone. Flash photography can disturb the animals, especially the alligators you’ll be spotting in the dark.
  • There are no food or drink vendors available during the night tours, so it’s a good idea to eat beforehand and bring water if needed.

Frequently asked questions about the Everglades night tour

What's included in my night tour ticket?

Your night tour ticket includes the 1-hour night airboat tour, ear protection, access to Sawgrass Recreation Park’s daytime exhibits, and free parking.

Can I visit the daytime exhibits on the same day?

Absolutely! Just bring your night tour voucher and valid ID and swing by during regular daytime hours (from 9am to 5pm) to explore the animal exhibits and nature displays. It’s a great way to make the most of your visit.

When do night tours run?

​Night tours usually run on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with check-in around 8pm and departure at 8:30pm.

How long does the tour last?

The Everglades night tour lasts about 1 hour, which is just enough time to explore the wetlands, spot wildlife, hear mysterious swamp sounds, and stargaze, all in one magical ride.

How do I get to the tour?

You'll meet your captain at Sawgrass Recreation Park, which is just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale. Free parking is available right onsite, so no need to stress about meters or fees.

Is the Everglades night tour suitable for kids?

Definitely! Kids will love the thrill of spotting glowing gator eyes in the dark. Just note that children aged 6 and under must wear a life jacket during the ride (provided by the park). And if they’re under 3 years old, they ride for free.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

The airboats aren’t wheelchair accessible, and strollers won’t work on the dock. However, the daytime exhibits at Sawgrass Recreation Park are accessible.

What kind of animals will I see?

Alligators are the stars of the show, but you may also spot owls, frogs, raccoons, bobcats, and all sorts of critters that prefer the cover of night. Your guide uses a flashlight to catch their glowing eyes, it's a real “whoa!” moment.

More reads

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Fort Lauderdale to Everglades tours

Airboat with tourists gliding through Everglades marshland at Sawgrass Recreation Park.

About Sawgrass Recreation Park

Airboat gliding through Everglades marshland on a private 1-hour adventure tour.

Everglades National Park

Everglades Tickets
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