I was a bit disappointed in this airboat ride. Because of the low water level in the Everglades, we didn't get to do any riding on the "river of grass", which is what I pictured an airboat ride being like (you know, like in CSI Miami)! All the boat did was go out one way in a canal, turn around (with difficulty in the narrow canal) and go back. I imagine this problem is seasonal and would impact all the airboat operators equally, but I suggest calling first to see if they are going out of the canal or not...it would have been a whole different tour if we could have gotten out of the canal.

Disneyworld this place is not. Much more down and basic and all the better for that.

As someone has pointed out, this is the first airboat attraction you come to traveling out of Miami. I don't know if the Everglades become more 'dense' the further in you go but don't expect to see large congregations of alligators in the wild on this trip. And don't expect to do a James Bond when you get back to base and use alligators as stepping stones because they only have a few alligators in small enclosures. But they do have a couple of really big 'gators - quite disconcerting really to stand a coupla feet away from a creature that is obviously assessing you for protein value and you're just separated by a wire fence. Give the driver a reasonable tip and you might get to have your photo taken holding a juvenile alligator like we did. That's also an interesting experience.

All in all, a good trip and very nice people. The shop/diner attached is worth a visit for its quirkiness alone - you don't often come across an alligator skull perched next to your head when you're drinking your coffee - and the notice for employees to wash their hands in the rest room is one of the most humorous you'll come across.
Cost was just over $40.00 for two (plus optional tip) if my memory serves me right.

Was in Miami end of Nov 08 - of course had to try the airboat tours. Coopertown is the closest to Miami. Got there about late morning. Join other visitors in an airboat (seats about 20 people). The guide gave us some background about the everglades.

Noisy ride - I am surprising that any 'sensible' wildlife would come near us !! Saw an alligator (well the head, at least), a tortoise and a few birds. They had a few young gators in containers on the dock - very sad.

I was glad I had done it but would not pay $21 to do it again. Remember to look out for coupons (can get it in most brochures) - $ 2 off per person per coupon.

The tour was nice, the guide seemed pretty well informed about the Everglades and its unique flora and fauna. They even cared about only using cottonballs for earplugs (the boats are loud) since they were biodegradable, which I appreciated. It was a nice balance of going fast and furious on the boat and slowly drifting through and really taking in the details of such an exotic landscape in the tall reeds or the hammocks (more wooded areas.) We didn't see any gators, but that's not their fault, that's up to the weather and the gators (it was overcast and they seem to enjoy sunbathing so that might explain it.) Coopertown was directly west of Miami but we enjoyed the drive and didn't find it too out of the way. The restaurant/gift shop and "zoo" (several gators penned up out back) was a colorful aspect to the place, and I enjoyed hanging out with their pet tricolored lousiana heron, Kiki, who was very friendly and always waiting for a snack (the owners admit she is spoiled)! The actual tour may be a tad expensive, but all in all, a rewarding detour.