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Air boat tour/self hire

Hi there, can anyone recommend either a self hire air boat company or a company that does short air boat trips in Orlando?

Thanks

Great question. If you're looking for a self-hire airboat, that’s very rare in the Orlando area — most airboat operations are run by licensed captains for safety and regulatory reasons. That said, there are several very good companies that run short airboat tours near Orlando, plus a few that offer more private or small-group rides.

Here are some recommended airboat tour companies in and around Orlando, and my thoughts on why to pick each:

  • A-Awesome Airboat Rides — Probably your best “classic” tour on a smaller 6-passenger airboat. Their rides run on the St. Johns River and are very personal.
    • The 90-minute tour is especially good for wildlife-spotting: alligators, birds, deer, etc.
  • Airboat Rides at Midway — They offer 1-hour rides on U.S. Coast Guard-inspected airboats on the St. Johns River.
    • They provide headsets so the captain can narrate what you’re seeing.
    • They also have “private” rides (whole boat) if you want a more personal excursion.
  • Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours — Based in St. Cloud (just outside Orlando), they have 6-passenger and 14-passenger airboats.
    • Their 1-hour airboat ride is very popular.
    • They also run “gator encounters” (with a safe viewing area) at the end of some tours.
  • Crazy Gator Airboat Rides — Located on Lake Tohopekaliga ("Lake Toho"), about 20 minutes from Disney.
    • They run day-time scenic tours, sunset rides, and even night tours where you might catch glowing gator eyes.
    • They are USCG-certified and very experienced.
  • Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures — Very large operation in Kissimmee. Their park includes an alligator viewing area, a butterfly garden, a gem/fossil mine, and a BBQ restaurant in addition to the boat ride.
    • They offer 30-minute rides (good for a quick swamp experience) or full 60-minute tours.
    • They also have "sunset" and "night" airboat rides — very atmospheric.
  • Backwoods Airboat Adventures — More “adventure-style” swamp tours along the St. Johns River, smaller boats, experienced captains.
    • They have a 1-hour standard trip, 90-minute, and sunset tours.
    • The smaller boats mean you can get into narrower marshy areas, which is great for wildlife viewing.
  • Wild Florida Adventure Park — This isn’t just an airboat ride: you pass through a gator park, see wildlife, and then take an airboat into the headwaters of the Everglades.
    • They offer 1-hour and 30-minute airboat tours.
    • You also get admission to their Gator Park, so it's a nice combo of nature + education.
  • Central Florida Airboat Tours — Based near Geneva (St. Johns River), they offer 1-hour rides and private tours up to 6 people.
    • Private 1-hour tour is $300 for up to 6, so good if you're in a small group and want exclusivity.
    • They provide hearing protection with in-boat communication so the captain can point out wildlife.
  • Capt Duke’s Airboat Rides — Very reputable, U.S. Coast Guard–inspected boats, smaller 6-person boats, tours on the St. Johns River.
    • 1-hour ride costs around $56 for adults.
    • They also run 1.5-hour or sunset tours if you want more swamp time.

My Recommendations Based on What You’re Asking:

  • If you want a quick, easy, wildlife-focused ride: Go with Boggy Creek (60-minute) or Wild Willy’s (1 hour) — both are very accessible from the Orlando/Kissimmee area.
  • If you want a more personal and “local” airboat experience with a smaller group: Try Capt Duke’s, A-Awesome, or Backwoods Adventures.
  • If you’re okay with *combining an airboat ride with wildlife viewing or a park trip*: Wild Florida is great because it includes their gator park plus airboat tours.
  • If you're interested in a private tour (just your group) for a more relaxed or customized ride: Central Florida Airboat Tours is the best pick for private tours.

Important Tips:

  • Bring sunscreen and sunglasses — rides can be very exposed.
  • Wear closed-toe shoes (or secure sandals) — docks can be slippery.
  • Ask about hearing protection — good companies provide headsets so the captain can talk to you about wildlife.
  • Reserve ahead if you’re going during busy tourist season (weekends, holidays) — these tours fill up fast.

Bottom line: There really aren’t many (if any) “self-hire” airboat companies around Orlando because of safety and licensing, but there are lots of great guided airboat tour companies you can choose from depending on whether you want a fast ride, a peaceful nature trip, or an educational swamp adventure.

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