Captain Jack's Airboat Tours
Captain Jack's Airboat Tours
Captain Jack's Airboat Tours
4.5
Boat Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Go on a thrilling adventure through twisting mangrove tunnels on our Everglades airboat tour in Everglades City! With our 2-way communication headsets, you can ask your captain questions, learn exciting Everglades facts, and talk to your fellow passengers on an unforgettable Everglades experience. Book our combo ticket, and see more of the Everglades on a grassland airboat tour and swamp buggy tour. Plus, get free admission to our live alligator show and animal sanctuary!
Everglades City, Florida
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Travelers' Choice
2023
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Captain Jack's Airboat Tours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
4,191 reviews
Excellent
3,164
Very good
647
Average
181
Poor
99
Terrible
100
Peabody23
Tennessee18 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited January 28. Booked online and used a coupon to get a discount. You can pick a time online, but they have tours leaving many times a day, so you could just walk up. They depart from a dock on the right just before you drive down into Everglades City. Several other airboat operators leave from the same place, but Captain Jack's seems the biggest and most popular. We had captain Ken as our boat driver/tour guide and he was the best! Explained all about the 'glades, the animals and the history of the area. Found plenty of wildlife (up close!) - big alligators, racoons, waterfowl, etc. Superb boat driver, some thrills, lots of fun. The airboat tours from their dock go through a maze of mangrove swamps, channels and lakes. We took the Combo, which added on a 30 min. grassland airboat tour leaving from Wooten's, a few miles up the road. That tour was outstanding also with a great boat captain too. All in all, a very enjoyable day - I highly recommend Captain Jacks's - but do take the Combo tour, it's really worth the extra $ and time, and gives you a more complete experience of the fascinating Everglades.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenna N.
United States17 contributions
May 2021 • Family
We bought the three part package with the mangrove airboat tour, grassland airboat tour and swamp buggy airboat tour with the animal sanctuary.
Mark was the captain of the hour mangrove airboat tour, and we had a blast! Had a lot of great information and history we didn’t know and you can tell he loved his work! We didn’t see a gator on that tour, but we were having so much fun whipping in and out of the mangroves and enjoying the beauty, not seeing a gator did not matter to us! He did pull up to a raccoon family he had trained (they fist bumped him and high fived him, and that was cool!)
One hour, left and came back on time.
Carl was the captain of the half an hour grassland tour. He was also full of great information and history of the area! We had a great time! Wish his tour was also an hour, went by too fast! We did see three gators on that tour and he showed us a gator nest.
Half an hour, didn’t wait long at all to board (five minutes) and went a prompt half an hour.
Mitch was the captain of our swamp buggy tour, also great information and history we didn’t know and was able to answer all questions. This was fun, but it was pretty warm and we appreciated the shade stops. Told us a lot about the vegetation there and we saw deer and many kinds of birds. No gators on that one. Driest season, less likely to see animals.
Waited about 10 minutes and was a half an hour.
If you’re set on seeing the most wildlife possible, every captain recommended August, but then you also play with if your trip will be cancelled by Mother Nature, so it’s a gamble. (Rainy season is June-November)
The animal sanctuary has every size/age alligator and the gator show guy had a lot of good information and let’s people hold the baby gators. He was great with the kids, which is important to me.
The first tour appeared to be through Captain Jacks and the next two through Wooten’s.
I would recommend the grassland tour and swamp buggy get an intercom or the two way headsets like the first tour has because the back couldn’t hear him on the swamp buggy, he would stop, and walk around to give information to make sure everyone could hear him.
The grassland tour he would go slow and talk or stop and talk.
Went Sunday 05/30/2021 in the morning- early afternoon. Total time there 3 1/2 hours.
The four of us loved it all and will do it again!
Mark was the captain of the hour mangrove airboat tour, and we had a blast! Had a lot of great information and history we didn’t know and you can tell he loved his work! We didn’t see a gator on that tour, but we were having so much fun whipping in and out of the mangroves and enjoying the beauty, not seeing a gator did not matter to us! He did pull up to a raccoon family he had trained (they fist bumped him and high fived him, and that was cool!)
One hour, left and came back on time.
Carl was the captain of the half an hour grassland tour. He was also full of great information and history of the area! We had a great time! Wish his tour was also an hour, went by too fast! We did see three gators on that tour and he showed us a gator nest.
Half an hour, didn’t wait long at all to board (five minutes) and went a prompt half an hour.
Mitch was the captain of our swamp buggy tour, also great information and history we didn’t know and was able to answer all questions. This was fun, but it was pretty warm and we appreciated the shade stops. Told us a lot about the vegetation there and we saw deer and many kinds of birds. No gators on that one. Driest season, less likely to see animals.
Waited about 10 minutes and was a half an hour.
If you’re set on seeing the most wildlife possible, every captain recommended August, but then you also play with if your trip will be cancelled by Mother Nature, so it’s a gamble. (Rainy season is June-November)
The animal sanctuary has every size/age alligator and the gator show guy had a lot of good information and let’s people hold the baby gators. He was great with the kids, which is important to me.
The first tour appeared to be through Captain Jacks and the next two through Wooten’s.
I would recommend the grassland tour and swamp buggy get an intercom or the two way headsets like the first tour has because the back couldn’t hear him on the swamp buggy, he would stop, and walk around to give information to make sure everyone could hear him.
The grassland tour he would go slow and talk or stop and talk.
Went Sunday 05/30/2021 in the morning- early afternoon. Total time there 3 1/2 hours.
The four of us loved it all and will do it again!
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2sisters07
Sarasota,FL166 contributions
Jul 2021
Best ride ever!! I never knew that I would love an airboat ride. We took the 9am tour of the mangroves, best to go early especially in the summer. Plus more wildlife is out! They take you through narrow and canopy covered waterways, zipping back and forth and then it opens up into a larger body of water and they take big turns. Its thrilling and so much fun.
The boats are only for 6 passengers and 2-way headsets are provided so you can hear the guide give the history and background information throughout the tour.
We purchased the combo ticket which after taking the mangroves tour, you drive to Wooten's(10 mins away) and we also did their grasslands airboat ride and then the swamp buggy tour. We felt it was definitely worth the price and time to do all 3. The grasslands airboats have 5 o 6 rows of bench seating, also have headsets to protect from the noise but its not for talking. That was just as much fun as the smaller mangrove ride. Great drivers at both places and they really seemed like they love what they do!
Also while you are in the area, drive to the Museum of the Everglades. Its a small free museum that has 2 films to watch about the history and many exhibits to look through-well worth the short drive to see.
The boats are only for 6 passengers and 2-way headsets are provided so you can hear the guide give the history and background information throughout the tour.
We purchased the combo ticket which after taking the mangroves tour, you drive to Wooten's(10 mins away) and we also did their grasslands airboat ride and then the swamp buggy tour. We felt it was definitely worth the price and time to do all 3. The grasslands airboats have 5 o 6 rows of bench seating, also have headsets to protect from the noise but its not for talking. That was just as much fun as the smaller mangrove ride. Great drivers at both places and they really seemed like they love what they do!
Also while you are in the area, drive to the Museum of the Everglades. Its a small free museum that has 2 films to watch about the history and many exhibits to look through-well worth the short drive to see.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom young
Port Charlotte, FL11 contributions
Mar 2021
We had never been on an airboat ride and did not know what to expect, except that it would be LOUD. We were in for a real treat. We were given headphones with a mike so we could talk and be talked to, and the headphones diminished the noise of the motor considerably. Our Captain, Jeremy, was a pleasure, full of knowledge and stories about Everglades City's colorful. And, could he drive that boat!!! We almost flew through twisting turning mangrove tunnels, sometime only inches away from the trees. It was exhilarating and better that any amusement ride I have been on because this was REAL! The price for the 6 of us (4 adults and 2 teenagers) was less than $300, and worth every penny.
Written March 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janet k
Lake Zurich, IL1 contribution
Mar 2021
Our group of 4 did a package which included a 1 hour airboat ride at Capt. Jacks. This was the absolute best part of our package. Marcus was our guide and he was outstanding. He gave us a thrilling ride, took us to see alligators and had great commentary. A surprising part of the trip was our visit to some raccoons that he called to and they came right up to him, licking his hand. We had never been that close to raccoons and certainly never seen them as friendly mammals. I can't say enough about Marcus' knowledge of the area and his ability to answer every question we had. He gave us the "ride of a lifetime" as we did 360's and went speeding thru open areas. It felt like we were on a ride at DisneyWorld. This was one amazing ride!!
Written March 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lori0808
Berlin, Germany15 contributions
Jan 2020
We did a combo package of mangrove and grasses airboat tours. Not sure you need to do both, but we were glad we did. the Mangrove tour was on a boat that held 8 people, but we only had 6 our day. It included running through alleys of canopied mangrove trees. We saw a couple alligators, a couple manatees, a couple dolphins, some birds, raccoons, etc. It was quite nice. It lasted almost an hour.
The second boat tour was about 10 minutes down the road and this boat held 12 -15 people. This trip is only 30 minutes. This boat went a lot faster. We did 360's and flew through the channels. There was still mostly mangrove channels but they weren't as overgrown and were wider. This allowed the speed and 360's. We did see an area of grasses, but the mangroves have pretty much wiped out the grassy areas of the Everglades in the area.
So while the tours are a bit touristy, it was still a nice day.
Be cautious as we got lucky on seeing the wildlife. In the rainy season, the alligators don't come out, when its late into the dry season, they head further inland, if its too cold they don't come out either. We got lucky that it had been 80 + degrees for a week and was very sunny and only just started getting into the drier season. Thats why we were able to see so many alligators.
The second boat tour was about 10 minutes down the road and this boat held 12 -15 people. This trip is only 30 minutes. This boat went a lot faster. We did 360's and flew through the channels. There was still mostly mangrove channels but they weren't as overgrown and were wider. This allowed the speed and 360's. We did see an area of grasses, but the mangroves have pretty much wiped out the grassy areas of the Everglades in the area.
So while the tours are a bit touristy, it was still a nice day.
Be cautious as we got lucky on seeing the wildlife. In the rainy season, the alligators don't come out, when its late into the dry season, they head further inland, if its too cold they don't come out either. We got lucky that it had been 80 + degrees for a week and was very sunny and only just started getting into the drier season. Thats why we were able to see so many alligators.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sid V
Airdrie, Canada5 contributions
Jan 2021
We had booked for 7 people., we had to cancel 1 due to a medical issue. I called it in. The person assured me no problem. They had a BOGO offer so I assumed the would cancel the extra paid person. Upon arrival I checked in, lady at the counter told me the cancelation was in and I would see my credit in 3-5 days. Well 3 weeks later 5 phone calls assuring me it would be looked after and a manger would call me. Never received a call so today I called back, asked for a manager and had the worst customer experience on a phone call I have ever had. The manager made it sound like who did I think I was calling him, my cancelation costed them a full boat and it was very rude of me to do that.
They don't even assign the boats till you arrive, we filled one boat???
I tried to explain the 5 phone calls and he really didn't care he made it clear I have other choices for Air Boats.
He is correct and there are many other choices in Everglades City and I highly recommend you use them.
I will never use Captains Jack's Airboats again.
They don't even assign the boats till you arrive, we filled one boat???
I tried to explain the 5 phone calls and he really didn't care he made it clear I have other choices for Air Boats.
He is correct and there are many other choices in Everglades City and I highly recommend you use them.
I will never use Captains Jack's Airboats again.
Written February 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David E
Tarpon Springs, FL163 contributions
Jan 2020
We chose the Combo Tour as it allowed us to go on one airboat ride through the mangroves and a different airboat ride through the grasslands plus a swamp buggy ride which gave us a great tour of 3 ecosystems. The cost also included a wildlife zoo along with a demonstration of a man-alligator fight. All the drivers were excellent and very informative about the ecosystems. Nice gift shop associated with the second airboat ride.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so glad you enjoyed the wide variety of activities our companies offer in the Everglades! Thanks for the feedback. One minor clarification, though: there is no man-alligator fight. There is a live educational alligator show; perhaps that's what you were referring to.
Written February 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brent N
3 contributions
Jan 2020
I had been to Florida nearly fifty times in my life for vacation but had never experienced the Florida Everglades. We started searching the internet for airboat tour companies and by luck we chose the Captain Jack's combo package. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. Our first guide thru the mangroves was Tristan. Great guy and a great sense of humor. He certainly knows how to handle an airboat thru the swamp. Next was our airboat ride thru the grasslands and our guide was Marco. He too was top notch and knew so much about the Everglades, it's history and the wildlife. We ended the day with a ride in a swamp buggy and once again, our experience surpassed our expectations. Our guide (can't recall his name) told us more about the history in the Everglades, native plants, birds and animals than I ever imagined I'd learn. I'd recommend Captain Jack's to anyone considering a tour thru the Everglades.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark M
Doylestown, PA4 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
What an amazing experience this was. The Everglades are so beautiful to see on an air boat. We cruised, we flew through tree tunnels that lasted miles, we saw live swimming gators 🐊 and even floated by a huge manatee. The best part was out boat captain...Captain Joe! He was funny, entertaining, a great conversationalist and one hell of a great boat driver. I would highly recommend this experience, especially for an 1 hour boat ride at sunset for $40 per person...so worth it!
Written December 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to come with a small dog ?
raachmyers
Topton, PA333 contributions
I would say no, being you are on a boat and there is wildlife.
Are these airboats safe for pregnant women?
sue r
6 contributions
Perhaps this question would be better off asking your doctor. I dont think the average person is qualified to answer this question for you
We have two adults and two children (age 5 and 2.5). Is the tour safe for little ones?
Dan A.
4 contributions
I say yes. I saw a couple of young ones on the boats of similar ages. The parents kept them on the inside of the seats between them and no problem. They would like the zoo, especially holding a baby alligator!
Baz
South Pole1,388 contributions
Which Combo Tour is better Wooten or Captain Jack's? Thanks
Dan A.
4 contributions
I liked the tour at Captain Jacks better. The boats are smaller and you cruse around the Mangrove forest flying down tight tunnels of trees. The Wooten area is more open and not as wild of a ride.
I've been wanting to get up close (authentic) view of the everglades by airboat for as long as I can remember. And it just so happens I'll be in the area for work the 1st week of April and I have one free day with nothing to do so I'd love to book a tour! What makes this company so good??? Want to get the BEST experience possible 😁 Thanks in advance!
oldkitchentable
Delaplane, VA23 contributions
One other note: I might be acting like a germaphobe, but maybe it's warranted in today's climate. The idea of wearing ear protection that a zillion people have recently worn is really off putting. Don't know if it helped, but I brought my purse size mini can of Lysol and gave ours a good spray. Better yet, if you own noise cancelling headphones, bring them. They are a must.
Claire G
Ruther Glen, VA4 contributions
How long is the mangrove/grassland combo tour?
Phillie_gal
Pinellas Park, FL1,099 contributions
We did the combo adding the swamp buggy which was very good. Our mangrove tour was at least an hour, grasslands 30-45 minutes. As mentioned, the 5-10 minute drive and a wait to get your boat. Each tour we did had something the other didn’t so we didn’t have a favorite
I am interested in booking the combo pkg but was just wondering if it’s stormy what is your policy??
So_yesterday1
Boynton Beach, FL82 contributions
I’m not sure about that either. I’d say give them a call.
Captain Jack's Airboat Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
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