What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Florida? For most people, it is the beaches and hot weather. However, those are not unique to Florida, but the Everglades definitely are. This impressive nature reserve is a must-see, with some gorgeous sights and wildlife to boot. Without further ado, here are some of the things you will come across; and why you should experience Everglades airboat rides at least once in your life.
A thrilling eco-ride across the Everglades
The major attraction of airboat rides is that they are far from being boring. You are not just cruising along in a traditional boat here. Airboats glide over the water at impressive speeds. That giant propeller at the back of the boat will wisp you away across the swamp waters. If you like a fast-paced and exciting ride, then airboats will be your thing. It is a change from the traditional boats, and it adds so much fun to your trip. This high-voltage visit will keep you alive and thrilled, but it is also an excellent eco-tourism method. Gliding above the water allows airboats to have minimal impact on the environment. You will ride over both plant life and animal life without damaging them. Airboats are probably the best way to visit the Everglades for this reason alone. There is nothing more atypical of the Everglades, offering you something different than just staying on the beach all day soaking in the sun.
Alligators, crocodiles, panthers, manatees, birds, and insects
Let’s not lie. Alligators are the main attraction here. Who hasn’t thought of coming face to face with nature’s most feared reptilian? Do you know that you can catch alligators and crocodiles in their natural environment? They are not in an enclosure like you would see them in the zoo. No, what you get here is the real deal. Rest assured that alligator encounters during an Everglades swamp tour are safe. The captains that take you there know how to keep their distance, close enough so you can see them and snap a few pics, but far enough not to interrupt their daily routines. And let’s not forget the rare panther sightings, the birds, and weird bugs unique to the area. Any animal lovers will love it, and did we mention the manatees? That’s right, there aren’t enough unusual animal sightings in this world, and the Everglades will fill that void for you.
A beautifully diverse nature reserve
As we mentioned before, beaches are good fun, but they can, to an extent, all look the same. However, taking a tour across the Everglades will offer you unique sceneries that you are unlikely to catch anywhere else. The park packs an abundance of nature, with a tremendous floral variety being the Everglades’ best resources. Imagine the sunset light covering some beautiful orchids, long grasses, cactus, wildflowers, and so many more. If nature is your thing, this ecosystem of diverse plants will blow you away.
Learn about the Everglades ecosystem
One thing to remember is that airboat captains are usually very passionate about the Everglades. That means they will often share their knowledge and experience of the park with you. There is nothing wrong with soaking in a bit of information, and even people that aren’t too much into nature will learn an interesting thing or two. It makes a change from those holidays where you come back without much to say to your friends about it. Now you probably won’t become an ecologist overnight, but a bit of learning can help to distract your mind from your day-to-day stresses further. It just makes a nice change of air, and your brain might thank you for it.
Are Everglades airboat rides the thing for you?
Airboat tours might still not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, we should mention that they are safe, as thrilling as they may be. Airboat rides often accommodate people of all ages. Young children have fun, but they also find it easy to fall asleep on an airboat. It is because the ride is very smooth due to the gliding of the boat. People of all ages can enjoy airboats’ comfort due to the lack of seasickness and the smoothness brought on by the gliding aspect. So if you are on the fence, you might find that going on an Everglades airboat ride is much more pleasant than you might think. All in all, next time you take a trip to Florida, you should consider an airboat ride in the Everglades. You will most likely have a great time, making some good memories and some cool pics to share with your friends and families.
