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From happy customers

Loved by 42 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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Experience Sawgrass Recreation Park: Airboat tours, rescued wildlife & reptile encounters

Looking for a fun and easy way to explore the Everglades? Sawgrass Recreation Park is a great place to start. Just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale, it offers the perfect mix of adventure and wildlife. You’ll cruise across the "River of Grass" on a fast-paced airboat while learning about the unique ecosystem from your captain. There’s also a reptile exhibit on site, which is home to rescued alligators, turtles, and snakes.

What makes Sawgrass Recreation Park special

Airboat with tourists gliding through Everglades wetlands under a clear sky.
Children interacting with a small alligator at Everglades reptile exhibit.
Group on an airboat during a night tour in the Everglades, surrounded by marshland.
Group enjoying an Everglades airboat ride through marshland.
Person holding a large snake at Everglades reptile exhibit.
1/5

Convenient location with quick access

Unlike many other Everglades parks that require a longer drive, Sawgrass is just 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale and easy to reach from Miami. That means more time on the water, less time on the road.

Home to rescued and rehabilitated wildlife

At Sawgrass, your ticket also includes access to a reptile sanctuary where you can see (and even touch) rescued wildlife. From alligators to snakes, every creature here has a story, and your visit helps support their ongoing care.

Explore the Everglades after dark

Most parks stick to daytime rides, but Sawgrass offers something truly special: a nighttime airboat adventure. Gliding through the wetlands under the stars, spotting glowing alligator eyes, and listening to the sounds of the swamp at night makes for an unforgettable and slightly eerie experience.

Private airboat tours for a more personal experience

Most Everglades parks stick to group tours, but Sawgrass lets you book a private airboat just for your group. It’s a great way to explore at your own pace, ask questions freely, and enjoy the wild without the crowd.

Family-owned with a personal touch

Sawgrass Recreation Park is locally run, and you’ll feel that difference in the friendly service and passion the team brings to every tour. Expect a more laid-back, welcoming vibe.

Things you’ll want to know before booking your tour

  • Know the park: Sawgrass Recreation Park is a top pick if you’re staying in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. It is just 30 to 40 min away and is perfect for a quick Everglades adventure without needing a long drive.
  • Transportation: Choose a tour with round-trip transportation from Miami to save the hassle of driving down yourself.
  • Daytime tours: If you’re looking for a quick and budget-friendly wildlife experience, the 40-min guided airboat ride is perfect for you. 
  • Night tours: All the night owls might find a nocturnal adventure at Everglades just the right amount of thrilling. These tours come with airboat rides and daytime access to the reptile exhibits, so you don’t miss a thing.
  • Traveling with a group: The private airboat tour is your best bet if you don’t like a crowd. You won’t be sharing your boat with strangers, and you’ll get extra perks like the baby gator encounter. Plus, choosing your own group size keeps things flexible and personalized.

Which Sawgrass tour is right for you

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

Daytime tour

This classic airboat tour is perfect if you're looking for a thrilling, family-friendly adventure in the Everglades. You'll zip through the wetlands on a 40-min ride led by an expert guide, spotting alligators, turtles, and birds in their natural habitat. After the ride, explore the reptile exhibit, home to over 50 rescued creatures, including snakes, turtles, and the Florida alligator.

Recommended tours:

  • Everglades Airboat Ride with Access to Reptile Exhibits
  • Sawgrass Recreation Park Airboat Tour with Reptile Exhibit
Alligator partially submerged in Everglades water during night airboat tour.

Night tour

Sawgrass is one of the few parks that offers airboat tours after dark, and it’s a whole different world out there at night. Glide under the stars with a captain who uses a spotlight to help you find nocturnal creatures like glowing gator eyes, frogs, and maybe even owls. This tour also comes with free daytime access to the reptile exhibits, so you get the best of both worlds.

Recommended tours:

  • Everglades Airboat Night Tour
Group enjoying an Everglades private airboat tour through marshlands.

Private tour

If you want the Everglades all to yourself (or with your own group), go for the private airboat tour. With flexible group sizes (4, 6, 12, or 15), it’s ideal for families or small gatherings. You'll also get a special "Meet a Baby Alligator" experience and time to explore the reptile sanctuary, including the park’s massive 1,000-pound gator, Cannibal.

Recommended tours:

  • Everglades Private Airboat Tour
Everglades airboat gliding through lush wetlands, showcasing scenic waterways.

Tour with transport

Don’t have a car? No worries. Choose the tour that includes round-trip transportation from Miami, with pickups from popular spots like Miami Beach and Bayside Marketplace. It’s a stress-free way to enjoy the Everglades without worrying about directions or parking.

Recommended tours:

  • Everglades Airboat Ride with Access to Reptile Exhibits
Alligator on grass in Everglades reptile exhibit.

Tour with a wildlife show

This ticket option includes an airboat ride and reptile exhibit, as well as a live wildlife show at the park. It’s a fun and educational way to meet Florida’s wild residents up close, including some you might not see on the boat ride.

Recommended tours:

  • Everglades Airboat Ride with Access to Reptile Exhibits

Top highlights in pictures: From airboats to baby gators

Airboat with tourists in Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park.

Skimming the water on an airboat

An airboat ride at Sawgrass feels like flying just above the surface of the wetlands. With the wind in your face and the Everglades stretching out in every direction, it’s a moment you won’t forget.

Alligator swimming underwater during Everglades night airboat tour.
Male Everglades Snail Kite capturing a snail in the Everglades, Florida swamp.
Airboat gliding through Everglades at dusk during night tour.
Alligator resting on a log in the Everglades during a night airboat tour.

Plan your visit

Visitors feeding a tortoise at Sawgrass Recreation Park Wildlife Show.

General timings: Daily from 8am to 6pm
Airboat timings:

  • Regular hours: Boats leave every 20-30 min, from 9:30am to 3:30pm
  • Holiday hours: On Christmas Eve (December 24), the final boat departs at 2pm and the exhibits close at 2pm

Closed: Thanksgiving (November 27) and Christmas Day (December 25)

Airboat gliding through Everglades marshland on a private 1-hour adventure tour.
  • Weekdays usually offer a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, while weekends are great if you're looking for a lively crowd and family-friendly buzz.
  • Visit during the dry season (November to April) when the weather is cooler, humidity is lower, and wildlife, especially alligators, is easier to spot due to lower water levels.
  • The wet season (May to October) brings lush green landscapes and fewer visitors, but also higher humidity and mosquitoes.

Address: 1006 US-27, Weston, FL 33327, United States | Find on Maps

  • By car: If you're driving, Sawgrass Recreation Park is easily accessible via US-27, and you'll find free parking available onsite.
  • From Miami: The drive takes about 40–50 mins via I-95 N and I-595 W to US-27 N. It’s a scenic route with well-marked signs leading you straight to the park entrance.
  • From Fort Lauderdale: It’s even quicker to get there fromFort Lauderdale, just a 25–30 min drive west on I-595 to US-27 N. 
  • By public transport: Public transportation options are limited in this area, so it’s best to either drive yourself or book a tour that includes round-trip transfers from Miami.
Accessible pathway with wheelchair access at Sawgrass Recreation Park
  • Getting around Sawgrass Recreation Park is fairly easy, even if you have mobility concerns, but do expect uneven terrain.
  • The airboats themselves are not wheelchair-accessible.
  • The animal exhibits, including the gator and reptile areas, are wheelchair-friendly. 
  • You can even borrow a wheelchair at no extra cost if you need one. 
  • Service animals are welcome in the park, though for safety reasons they won’t be allowed on the airboats.
Guests listening to tour guide on Everglades Nature trail during guided walk.
  • If you're bringing children 6 years or younger on the airboat, they must wear a life jacket at all times.
  • Toddlers under 3 years old can join the airboat tour for free.
  • The dock and boardwalks can get wet or slippery; hold on to handrails and watch where you’re walking.
  • For safety reasons, always remain seated and avoid sudden movements when the airboat is underway.
  • Do not touch or feed the animals outside of the supervised encounters.
  • Whether your guide is pointing out wildlife or communicating safety rules, it’s important to listen and follow along.
  • Animals are most active in the cooler hours of the morning. Get there early for the best chance of spotting gators, turtles, and birds.
  • Wear light, breathable clothes, sunglasses, and a hat to keep yourself comfortable. 
  • Leave the flip-flops at home. Closed-toe shoes or sturdy sandals are a safer bet, especially when boarding the airboat or walking around the exhibits.
  • The Everglades are beautiful, but mosquitoes love them too. Bring insect repellent, especially during the wet season.
  • Plan to stay back for an hour or two after the tour. Between the reptile exhibit, photo ops, and gift shop, you’ll want to stay even after your airboat ride ends.
Kids enjoying a meal at Sawgrass Recreation Park with a peacock in the background.

The Gator Grill

Before you explore the exhibits, make sure to swing by The Gator Grill for some tasty, made-to-order lunch. They use fresh ingredients to serve up favorites like Angus burgers, pulled pork, and even delicious grilled gator bites. The handmade Angus cheeseburgers and pulled pork sandwiches are crowd-pleasers.

Timings: Open daily from 10am to 4pm
Location: Near the exhibit areas

Beyond Sawgrass Recreation Park

Discover more ways to explore the Everglades with these nearby parks, each offering its own unique take on this extraordinary ecosystem.

Guests on an airboat tour in Everglades National Park surrounded by lush greenery.

Everglades National Park

As the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, Everglades National Park is a must-visit for nature lovers. From hiking and kayaking to ranger-led programs, it offers a deeper dive into the Everglades' rich biodiversity.

Airboat tour in Everglades Safari Park with passengers enjoying the ride, Miami.

Everglades Safari Park

Famous for its airboat rides and wildlife shows, Everglades Safari Park blends adventure with conservation. It’s a great stop for families and first-time visitors looking to experience the Everglades in a fun, approachable way.

Guests holding reptiles at Everglades Holiday Park animal encounter.

Everglades Holiday Park

​Everglades Holiday Park is home to the iconic Gator Boys from Animal Planet and features adrenaline-pumping airboat tours and live alligator shows. It's perfect for thrill-seekers who want a mix of high-speed adventure and wildlife entertainment.

Group on airboat tour in Everglades, Miami, with bird flying over water.

Coopertown

Coopertown is known as the “original airboat tour” of the Everglades, offering a rustic, old-school Everglades experience. With small airboats and gator-handling demos, it’s perfect for those looking for a more laid-back, authentic outing.

Frequently asked questions about Sawgrass Recreation Park tours

Are the animal exhibits included in all tickets?

Yes, every ticket includes access to the park’s wildlife exhibits. You'll meet rescued reptiles, tortoises, and even exotic creatures that call Sawgrass home.

What can I expect during an airboat ride at Sawgrass Everglades?

You’ll glide over the “River of Grass” at speeds up to 40mph while your captain shares insights about the ecosystem. Expect to see alligators, turtles, and plenty of birds in their natural habitat.

Is the airboat ride loud or bumpy?

It can be breezy and a bit bumpy, but it’s completely safe and a total thrill! Noise-reducing headphones are usually provided for comfort.

At what time should I arrive for my airboat tour?

Arrive at least 30 min before your scheduled departure to make sure you have a smooth boarding experience.

What’s the difference between the day and night airboat tours?

​Day tours are great for spotting alligators and soaking in Everglades views. Nighttime tours feel more adventurous, spotlighting nocturnal wildlife under the stars. Night tours also last a full hour, almost twice as long as the day tours.

Can I see wildlife at night?

Absolutely. Captains use flashlights to reveal gators and other nighttime creatures, making it a whole new world after dark.

How long should I plan to spend at Sawgrass Recreation Park?

About 2 to 3 hours is perfect to enjoy the airboat ride, visit the exhibits, grab a snack at the Gator Grill, and buy a souvenir to remember your day at the Everglades by.

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