Lake Trafford
Lake Trafford
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Lake Trafford and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
4 within 3 miles
Attractions
9 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
52 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Jackie V
Ypsilanti, MI4 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Had a scheduled appointment to go out on the boat tour for weeks and we were treated very poorly. 2 hour+ delay told to wear a mask while outside in the 95 degrees hot sun. Unacceptable very unprofessional won’t be back and you shouldn’t either. The place was very dirty even though they bullied you about mask wearing. Will get a virus just for walking in the store.
Written March 30, 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.
Heather9535
Fort Myers, FL3 contributions
Mar 2023
Drove out to Lake Trafford to take Grandkids to ride the Air Boat and see alligators and learn the nature around Florida, as advertised. Have been there before and had a great time but this time our Tour Guide was terrible! He barley said a thing and certainly did not give us the ride we were expecting. If you do go, ask for the guide with the 'White Beard', he's amazing! Our guide was a dud! Had nothing to offer.
Written March 11, 2023
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.
jeyn3405
30 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
Took an airboat ride today - this beats those tours out of Everglades City hands down and is much cheaper. We always hope an airboat ride will take us through the grasses and back areas, but have never had one that actually did until Lake Trafford Marina tours. Even with mostly cloudy and windy weather today we saw plenty of alligators and an unbelievable number of wading birds. This is a unique place to see and we are so glad we did this airboat tour. Our guide was great - native Floridian very knowledgeable about the plants and wildlife. He made it a great experience. It's a little drive to get there - about an hour from Bonita Springs, but well worth the drive.
Written February 19, 2016
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.
Ole D
Kansas City, MO1,544 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Unusual lake as it is so shallow, guessing 5 feet at deepest to a few inches in the shoreside swamps. Full of alligators, birds, turtles and fish.
Written February 28, 2017
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.
ngkgschck
mount airy, maryland50 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Lake Trafford is the beginning of the Everglades and the marina offers one hour airboat rides. You will see the most amazing number of wildlife and alligators. We had done the fast and furious one in the Everglades. This one was pure heaven, nature at its best, close up and breathtaking. You can take your camera, binoculars for a show that makes you never want to get off. It is in what seems the middle of nowhere but a couple of miles from the Casino. The couple that run it are welcoming. On site they have an assortment of birds to see as well as snakes - a most well fed Python too. On the airboat we saw many alligators and the bird life was out of this world! Highly recommend and call for reservations..
Written April 19, 2015
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.
Gail G
8 contributions
Jun 2018 • Business
Lake Trafford is located in northeast Collier County, Florida, just west of the town of Immolakee. Easy access from Fort Myers and Naples for your day-trip. The lake is basically circular; fed by overland flow from the west-east-north and surface outflow to the south through Big Cypress Preserve. The lake bottom is shaped like a big a saucer, largely covered with aquatic vegetation) with generally flat land gently sloping into the lake. Surrounding vegetation types types (trees, grasses, and undergrowth) pass gradually into more aquatic types of vegetation. There are no beaches or land fishing spots on the lake. The only public access to the lake is via the Anne Olesky Park and the adjacent Lake Trafford Marina. Surrounding property is largely federal and local preserve lands. The Anne Olesky Park provides some access for those 'wetting a line" from land; otherwise bring your own boat, or rent from the Marina. Marina folks are always happy to answer queries about fishing conditions.
Airboat rides are available at the Marina, usually providing.multiple sightings of alligators, a floating island or two, lots of aquatic birds ("floaters", and waders, plus ospreys, and eagles. The airboat pilots and very knowledgeable.
I have visited the lake many times, mostly on business, but also for recreational purposes. For airboat and boat rides? Insect repellent? Definitely! Shorts to long pants? Your choice, but remember the insects. Same for shirts. Hats? Brimmed and with chinstrap. For those "taking the memories home? Definitely the camera. I normally use an 80-300 lens on my 35mm, but the "cellphones" do very nicely.
Airboat rides are available at the Marina, usually providing.multiple sightings of alligators, a floating island or two, lots of aquatic birds ("floaters", and waders, plus ospreys, and eagles. The airboat pilots and very knowledgeable.
I have visited the lake many times, mostly on business, but also for recreational purposes. For airboat and boat rides? Insect repellent? Definitely! Shorts to long pants? Your choice, but remember the insects. Same for shirts. Hats? Brimmed and with chinstrap. For those "taking the memories home? Definitely the camera. I normally use an 80-300 lens on my 35mm, but the "cellphones" do very nicely.
Written May 22, 2019
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.
AAJ
Naples, FL27 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Lake Trafford is the only natural lake in Collier county. That in itself is worth the trip.
On our recent trip, we saw not only alligators, but 2 rare species of birds. The process was easy - book the date & time, check-in, board the boat. Our guide/driver was very knowledgeable.
If you are in the area, definitely worth checking out.
On our recent trip, we saw not only alligators, but 2 rare species of birds. The process was easy - book the date & time, check-in, board the boat. Our guide/driver was very knowledgeable.
If you are in the area, definitely worth checking out.
Written April 23, 2018
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.
MoriartyThomas
naples103 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
A hidden gem off the beaten path. Great fishing and bird watching. Bring a boat or use the pier. The county maintains the boat ramp and park. Look for ann Olesky park at Lake Trafford. There is a marina to purchase bait and a license or take an airboat ride. I f you want to see alligators in the wild this is the place for sure.
Written April 11, 2017
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.
Captmorris1
10 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
Upfront the fishing is very good. The boat ramp is fine.BUT the airboat tours will run right on you or by you without regard. All day long . Only safe outside the grass lines or in the middle of the lake. Try out of tourist season for fishing.
Written October 27, 2016
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.
Michelle R
Naples, FL128 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
Lake Trafford and the surrounding area is beautiful. There are acres and acres of wild sunflower fields nearby. Plan to visit when they are in bloom!
Written August 26, 2016
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.
sandy
North Fort Myers, Florida
Hi, How much does your air boat ride cost? Thank you!
Written May 4, 2021
Phone number 239-657-2401 I am not the owner you can ask for Sharon or ski.. thank you
Written May 17, 2021
Can I bring my fishing boast & is there a fee & where do I put in at?
Written January 9, 2020
I believe that with your valid Florida fishing license you can just enjoy fishing there.
Written January 9, 2020
I have physical challenges getting into the boat. Do you use the boats that have the benches on the side, and access is a walk-on, not needing to climb into the boat?
Written December 21, 2016
Unfortunately there is not. You would have to climb on. You still can come see the animals and get to view the lake. They would be happy to see you there. Everyone is welcome.
Written November 22, 2019
yes it is. You can put in at Ann Olesky boat ramp
Written February 23, 2016
Showing results 1-4 of 4
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing