Airboats make travel possible through this river of grass.
For many people, Disney World, beaches, and sunshine describe Florida. Oftentimes, people forget about the natural beauty and wildlife that permeate the state. Attractions bring tourists to Florida every year, but nothing satisfies more than taking airboat rides across rivers, lakes, and grasslands. Give yourself a present by choosing one of three airboat tours just 20 miles east of Orlando in a small community called Christmas, Florida.
Midway Airboat Rides
Human tail anyone?
Midway Airboat Rides prides itself in being the only airboat company in Orange County, Florida, that has a permanent facility--meaning other companies must meet at a boat ramp. The tours begin at the facility and take you through "The Central Florida Everglades" on St. John's River, where otters, bald eagles, snakes, and a plethora of alligators line the river banks. After the tour, make sure you visit the gift shop, which has exotic animals, and where you can even hold a baby alligator.
Old Fashion Airboat Rides
Help! These airboats hurt my ears.
Captain Johnny Long takes groups on a more personal airboat tour, requesting a maximum of only six people. This 90-minute tour through the swamps of St. John's River boasts about having real airboats instead of barges so guests can have a more natural experience. According to airboatrides.com, Captain Johnny Long enjoys his adventures as describing that "The airboat is more than just a mode of transportation, it is a safe haven and portal into and out of an otherwise hostile environment."
A-Awesome Airboat Rides
I see the gator. It's over there.
At A-Awesome Airboat Rides, your guide calls himself Captain Gator Bruce--an appropriate name for an airboat captain. He also tours the swamps of St. John's River with a maximum of six people. An innovator in the airboat touring industry, Captain Gator Bruce initialized voice-activated headphones along with virtual web tours according to airboatride.com. Headphones make it easier for the guides to direct guests to the animals, compensating for the noise of the airboat.
An Airboat Experience
Regardless of which company you choose in Christmas, Florida, all will please. Riding an airboat resembles riding on a roller coaster, but on water (and grass). Your hair sways back in the wind on a cool river breeze while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Florida's backwoods habitat. In the Central Florida Everglades, the prices and length of airboat tours are better than tours in the more southern Everglades.
Tags: Airboat Rides, Christmas Florida, John River, A-Awesome Airboat, A-Awesome Airboat Rides, airboat tours, Captain Gator
