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.
Why take an Everglades night tour
✔️ Spot alligators after sunset
✔️ 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.
- Restroom facilities are available at Sawgrass Recreation Park.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Your night tour ticket includes the 1-hour night airboat tour, ear protection, access to Sawgrass Recreation Park’s daytime exhibits, and free parking.
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.
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.
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.
