Top Florida Nature and Wildlife Tours

Escape to the Florida Everglades for this airboat adventure and wildlife encounter at Sawgrass Recreation Park. This exciting airboat ride is a great way to experience the unique subtropical ecosystem of the Everglades. Skim across the grassy water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour while looking for wildlife like alligators, fish, turtles, and wading birds. This guided tour includes entrance to Sawgrass Recreation Park and an admission ticket to the animal exhibit and a guided airboat tour.

Swap crowded bus tours for a much more intimate safari experience—a self-guided tour where you can drive your own vehicle through the Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park. During the ride, look out for over 100 animals—including zebras, white-tailed deer, and bison. There's also a huge pond that's home to alligators, and an area where you can hand-feed giraffes.

See the gentle giants of the sea in their natural habitat on this tour. Climb aboard the covered boat and set out along the Florida waterways to spot some wildlife. Alligators, dolphins and all sorts of birds are known to frequent the areas, have your camera ready! The manatees sometimes come right up to the boat for an extra special experience.

Cruise to Shell Island and search for wild dolphins on a catamaran sailing trip from Panama City Beach. The catamaran’s broad, stable deck makes it a comfortable alternative to smaller boats prone to rocking in the waves, and since it’s stocked with paddle boards, snorkeling gear, and a waterslide, it’s the perfect base for playing in the clear water off Shell Island.

Enjoy a fun and fast-paced dune buggy adventure in Fort Meade—just outside Orlando. and don’t be afraid to get dirty. This ride is a-45 minutes or 1 hour of pure dune buggy driving in an exciting custom-made trail (You have the option to select a 45 min or 1 hour experience). Grab your helmet and goggles, hop on your assigned 2-person buggy, and hit the trails. Zip through mud puddles, dirt, trees, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience.

Getting to Key West from Miami on your own can be such a hassle, but this nearby city has so much to offer. Don’t miss out—this day trip includes motor coach round-trip transport from your hotel, so you can enjoy a stress-free ride without worrying about navigating through a new area. Plus, you’ll have plenty of free time to plan solo explorations, and multiple upgrade options are available for add-on activities.

Escape to Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale for a 1-Hour Narrated Airboat Tour . This adventure is a great way to experience the unique subtropical ecosystem of the Everglades. Skim across the grassy water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour while looking for alligators, wading birds and an abundance of flora and fauna in their natural habitats.

Escape to the wilderness of the Florida Everglades from Orlando on this airboat adventure. This exciting nature tour includes admission to the Wild Florida Airboats and Wildlife Park— with over 200 different animals like lemurs, sloths, zebras, watusi cattle, bobcats and more. Choose from two airboat durations and upgrade to the half-day tour and enjoy a delicious barbeque lunch at the Chomp House Grill, plus an alligator souvenir.

At Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find a truly unique experience: swimming with manatees. It’s the only spot in the world where you can hang with the gentle giants in their natural habitat, though you’ll want a guide to make sure you—and the manatees—have the best experience possible. With this tour, you’ll hop aboard a certified vessel with your in-water guide, snorkeling through the “Manatee Capital of the World.”

Get up close with sharks and other marine wildlife on this boat tour from Key West. Travel on board an eco-friendly, 34-foot catamaran just a few miles off the coast of Key West. See dolphins, stingrays, turtles and birds and learn about Key West’s waters, and then watch as the pilot drops bait to draw a variety of sharks right to the edge of the boat. Bring a camera to capture the excitement as these super predators swarm. Cold drinks, snacks and polarized sunglasses are included on this Key West shark cruise.

A good choice for nature lovers, this tour takes you into a unique part of Rock Springs Run known as "Emerald Cut.” The first part of the tour is an upstream paddle through calm waters and overhead tree canopy, with stops to hop off your clear kayak and into the fresh spring water. Keep your eyes peeled for for fish, turtles, birds, small alligators, and more. 

Located north of Orlando, Silver Springs is a popular spot for boaters and other on-water riders to spot manatees floating leisurely through the crystal waters. Get close to these mammals and other wildlife including monkeys and turtles on a clear paddle board or kayak tour. Take an adventure into the springs on your choice of a clear kayak or paddle board, letting your transparent watercraft give you a fantastic view beneath the surface.

This Fort Lauderdale half-day trip is an excellent introduction to deep sea fishing. Cruise past the mansions on "Millionaire’s Row" on the way to the first line-in spot, then get ready to reel. Mates are on hand at all times to offer tips and help with baiting. Back at the marina, they’ll also clean your fish and offer suggestions of local restaurants that will prepare your catch.

See magical Orlando from a unique perspective in a helicopter. Get a bird’s eye view of the theme parks, the Orlando Eye, the Florida sunset, or even catch some fireworks on your sightseeing chopper tour. The pilot’s commentary will fill you in on all the details of the sights of the city, making this ride one of the highlights of your trip.

Explore Everglades National Park on a thrilling airboat ride through the Everglades. On this half-day adventure, ride under the mangrove tunnels and through marsh grass, and see wildlife such as alligators, turtles, deer, and birds in their natural habitat. After the boat ride, enjoy some free time to explore the various alligator exhibits.

Dolphin encounters are quite common in the Gulf of Mexico, but this boat tour lets you get a closer look at them. Sail out towards Compass Island and keep your eyes peeled for the playful creatures while your captain provides commentary about your surroundings. Then, once you reach the island, jump in the water to search for marine life, collect shells, or simply enjoy the water.

Paddle a kayak through mangrove creeks and shallow water on a Key West kayaking tour that offers an up-close look that this unique coastal environment. This guided tour is the perfect way to spot Florida wildlife in a natural habitat.

Get out on the water and see Tampa Bay from a new perspective with this kayaking tour. Ride in a clear kayak—which has the advantage of greater visibility of the underwater world. Along the way look out for coastal birds, marine life, and the beautiful mangroves. No need to worry about missing out on photo opportunities—the trip includes photo stops and a break at Shell Key to enjoy its beach and sandbars.

Watch dolphins frolic through coastal waters on this scenic 2-hour sunset sail. Board your comfortable catamaran, and listen to music. Cruise through Grand Lagoon, passing elegant homes and St. Andrews State Park. See pods of dolphins travel together and leap above the water. Take photos and admire incredible sunset views. Don’t miss the chance to participate in games and dance when the boat docks.

Escape to the wilderness of Everglades on this most of the time 4-5 hour small-group adventure from Miami. This exciting nature tour includes a narrated airboat ride through the unique ecosystem of the Florida Everglades. Enjoy the scenery, learn about the history and flora, and look for Florida’s abundant wildlife, like alligators, crocodiles, birds, fish, exotic snakes and more.  The total 4-5 hour duration of this tour begins upon hotel pick-up.

Get to know central Florida’s endangered manatees on this boat tour. Swim and snorkel with these gentle giants at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, located in King’s Bay in the town of Crystal River — well known as the home of the manatee. Photos above and below the water will be taken throughout the tour and can be purchased afterward, if desired. Use of a mask, snorkel gear and wet suit, plus fees and beverages are included.

A half-day fishing trip in Fort Lauderdale s a great way to get out on the water, admire coastal views, and reel in a few favorites like grouper, trigger fish, and snapper. This tour is geared toward beginner fishers and includes the instruction and equipment you need to make your first catch. Plus, fish cleaning is included so you can cook up your catch when you get home.

Ideal for families, this ghost tour of St. Augustine’s spookiest sites combines light-hearted fun with spine-tingling tales of the city’s past. Alongside a costumed guide, you visit cemeteries, the ground of the Old Fort, and other haunted locations to discover the little-known legends that surround the romantic venue. This small-group tour is limited in order to maintain an atmosphere suitable for the ghost walk.