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.
✔️ 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.
✔️ 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.
✔️ 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.
✔️ 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.
✔️ 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
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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
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
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.
Plan your night tour
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.
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.
Night tours usually run on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with check-in around 8pm and departure at 8:30pm.
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.
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.
The airboats aren’t wheelchair accessible, and strollers won’t work on the dock. However, the daytime exhibits at Sawgrass Recreation Park are accessible.
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.
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Sightseeing Cruises
Miami: Sawgrass Recreation Park Airboat Tour at Night
Spot alligators by spotlight & stargaze on this thrilling night airboat tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park.
Everything you get: Take a 60-min airboat ride at night through the Everglades with a captain, as you search for alligators, other reptiles, insects, and amphibians. Use a flashlight to spot these creatures, plus get free daytime entry to Sawgrass Recreation Park exhibits.
Why choose this: Situated around 30 miles west of Fort Lauderdale and 40 miles west of Miami, Sawgrass Recreation Park is a prime destination for a quick day trip.
Upgrades: Upgrade to include transportation to and from Miami in a comfortable shuttle, along with an expert English-speaking guide.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Free cancellation
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Book now, pay later
1 hr - 3 hrs
Guided tour
Pickup available
Spot alligators by spotlight & stargaze on this thrilling night airboat tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park.
Everything you get: Take a 60-min airboat ride at night through the Everglades with a captain, as you search for alligators, other reptiles, insects, and amphibians. Use a flashlight to spot these creatures, plus get free daytime entry to Sawgrass Recreation Park exhibits.
Why choose this: Situated around 30 miles west of Fort Lauderdale and 40 miles west of Miami, Sawgrass Recreation Park is a prime destination for a quick day trip.
Upgrades: Upgrade to include transportation to and from Miami in a comfortable shuttle, along with an expert English-speaking guide.
Inclusions
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1-hour nighttime airboat ride
Ear protection for the airboat ride.
Free parking onsite
Complimentary entrance to exhibits at Sawgrass Recreation Park during the day (as per option selected)
Round-trip transport from Miami (as per option selected)
Live commentary in English by an expert guide (as per option selected)
Exclusions
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Food and beverages
What to Bring
To visit the exhibit areas at Sawgrass Recreation Park between 9am and 5pm, please carry your night tour voucher and a valid ID for entry.
Accessibility
This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
Additional Information
Since each tour requires at least 10 passengers and has limited availability, booking in advance is necessary to reserve your spot.
Guests will be informed on the tour day if the minimum isn't reached or if weather conditions lead to cancellation.
For safety, children six years old and younger must wear a life jacket.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
