Living in Orlando can be tough sometimes – do I go to Disney World? Universal? SeaWorld? So many options, but after a while, they can start to get a little repetitive and boring. In the summertime, I’m always looking for fun things within the immediate area or a couple of hours out that are exciting and uniquely Florida. Being a Florida-transplant, I want to experience all that my adopted state has to offer.
Enter Orlando Airboat Tours with Marsh Landing Adventures!
Located only about 30 minutes south of Walt Disney World in the city of Kissimmee, you will find Marsh Landing Adventures and their awesome airboat tours. We booked ourselves in for their 1 hour Everglades Eco Tour offering – this is the only Eco Tour closest to all Orlando theme parks. I was pretty pumped to see the wildlife and flora at the headwaters of the Florida everglades, and even more excited at the possibility of coming face to face with a gator! In all my three years living in Orlando, I’ve only ever seen one gator out in the wild, and it was from a distance, too.
It is here in Kissimmee that the Everglades begins with a small tributary, called Shingle Creek that flows into Lake Tohopekaliga and continues onward to the Gulf of Mexico, covering some 3,500 sq. miles. I had no idea that the headwaters to the Everglades was basically in my backyard – I thought this fact was pretty neat.
{All aboard}
{Slow speeds through the canal before hitting the headwaters}
I’m a sucker for two things:
1. stunning scenery
2. wildlife
Fortunately for me, this airboat tour provided both. I absolutely loved seeing the reflection of the clouds and the sky coupled with the tall grass in the lake – it made for some stunningly beautiful photo opportunities.
And then of course came the wildlife and close encounters with a couple of gators! We got to see two gators, Everglades Hawks, Limpkins, and a few other beautiful species of birds just hanging out in their natural habitat – so awesome. One of the gators caught us off guard and popped her head out of the scrub, giving us a bit of a warning hiss to back off – I had no idea gators hissed!
{Our first gator sighting}
{Second gator}
{Everglades Hawk}
What I loved about this Airboat Tour…
– The airboat is shaded so you don’t have to worry about that harsh, afternoon heat hitting you!
– Small groups: tours are kept to a maximum of only six people.
– Your tour guide will stop the boat to let you get photos of gators and other wildlife.
– Our guide was also extremely informative and knowledgeable.
– How amazingly the airboat glides through the water despite anything that may be in its path…
If you’re looking for something uniquely Florida to do and need a break from tourist-central, you should definitely make your way down to Marsh Landing Adventures. It’s a fun day out for all the family, both young and old!
Orlando Airboat Tours
Orlando Airboat Tours
Orlando Airboat Tours
*Marsh Landing Adventures kindly provided us with a complimentary Airboat Tour, but all opinions are my own.
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This looks like the authentic Florida experience. Whilst I’ve been in Florida a few times I’ve yet to take one of these boat trips. Mind you I’d want to reassure myself first that the boat is quick enough to get away from one of those alligators! 😉
The Guy Who Flies recently posted…My Worst Fear Of Travelling Nearly Came True
Haha, the boat moves pretty quickly but at one point, I do remember our tour guide saying at full speed, a gator could probably keep up with us. He even said that gator that hissed at us could easily jump into our boat without any warning if she wanted, but it was too hot, she was too lazy, and it wasn’t worth her effort.