Airboat Tours / Southwest Florida

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johngross

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I've lived in So. Florida for 40 years and never been on an airboat ride. Some time next week my wife and I will be in the area of Everglades City, Naples, and Fort Myers.

Has anyone taken any airboat rides in those areas with a good tour company?

All the airboat companies advertise a great ride, etc., but some of the reviews are less than flattering.

Thanks,

John Gross
 
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I've been all over the west side of Lake Okeechobee in airboats and it's an absolute blast. Those 20 passenger tour guide airboats are ok but the real experience is in a boat with with just 3-4 people. Most of the time it was just me and my buddy gigging frogs in the wee morning hours. And snakes and baby gators. :D

Drive on over to Lakeport or Clewiston and hire a guide on Lake Okeechobee for a 1/2 day fishing trip or sightseeing trip is my suggestion. Big O is way low now so if you're a fisherman an airboat guide can get you to some honey holes that a bassboat can't go. Stretch your line and squeal your tennis shoes. :cool:

Big O Airboat Tours on Lake Okeechobee

AIRBOAT TOURS | Ron's Guide Service
 
Just be sure to wear white knee socks, sandals, Hawaiian print shirt, Bermuda shorts, have a camera around your neck and a straw hat. Carry lots of those free fliers.:D
 
If you're lucky,you may even see Constable Lincoln Vail on patrol.Does anyone remember?:D
 
If you don't mind meeting somewhere on Alligator Alley you can meet a real Fla. Air-boat pilot and a good all around guy check out Parker Priest.I've known him for thirty plus years.
He's on the east side of the Alley but will meet up with you.The best tour money can buy.His boat is one of the nicest you'll ever see,Large,safe and comfortable.Fast enough too!www.evergladesairboatadventures.com

Have a great trip!!!:)
 
mudcat100 said:
If you're lucky,you may even see Constable Lincoln Vail on patrol.Does anyone remember?:D
Click to expand...

I NEVER missed that show. I grew up in Miami and went to the Glades alot when growing up. Holy Cow, can't believe anyone remembers that show.

There is a catwalk at one of the Park's visitor Center's, where there are hundreds of gators down below. It was really creepy at night when you shined a flash light over the water, only to see hundreds of red dots (gator eyes) staring back.:eek:
 
Speaking of which, most of my summer reading consisted of the so-called "Watson Trilogy", Peter Matthiessen's epic account of the events associated with Edgar Watson, a settler on Chatham River south of Chokoloskee. I'd like to see that country by boat, and a Google search finds some local tour guides offering "Watson" tours, but their pitch sounds a bit hoky to me. Anyone familiar with this part of coastal southwest Florida and any tours of it? I've been in the 'Glades in the spring (March) and found fighter squadron hordes of mosquitoes able to make you anemic in minutes --- when would be the best season to visit? Is there really anything to see besides marl flats and mangrove thickets? I'm interested in seeing local flora and fauna, but not interested in fishing. Comments from you locals will be appreciated.
 
jkc said:
Speaking of which, most of my summer reading consisted of the so-called "Watson Trilogy", Peter Matthiessen's epic account of the events associated with Edgar Watson, a settler on Chatham River south of Chokoloskee. I'd like to see that country by boat, and a Google search finds some local tour guides offering "Watson" tours, but their pitch sounds a bit hoky to me. Anyone familiar with this part of coastal southwest Florida and any tours of it? I've been in the 'Glades in the spring (March) and found fighter squadron hordes of mosquitoes able to make you anemic in minutes --- when would be the best season to visit? Is there really anything to see besides marl flats and mangrove thickets? I'm interested in seeing local flora and fauna, but not interested in fishing. Comments from you locals will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

You might like the novels of Randy Wayne White, the Doc Ford Novels.

He is a local charter boat captain from Sanibel Island that took up writing. Some of his books have mention of "Watson"

http://www.amazon.com/Everglades-Ford-Randy-Wayne-White/dp/0425196860/ref=pd_sim_b_7
 
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