Everglades Holiday Park – Airboat Ride & Gator Boys Show

Glide across a river of saw grass in a state-of-the-art vessel in search of wild alligators. Gaze into the eyes of an 8-foot beast as it swims next to the side of your boat.

Everglades Holiday Park offers the longest airboat ride (60 minutes) in the Everglades. The 29-acre wildlife preserve and protected alligator habitat is home to Animal Planet’s Gator Boys live alligator shows.

Visit Everglades Holiday Park

Admission to Everglades Holiday Park includes a 60-minute fully narrated airboat ride, a 15-minute live alligator show, and a photo with a baby alligator. (2 photos per party). Private airboat rides are available for Groups of 2 or more.!

The park offers a transportation service. They will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or other destination. Call 954-434-8113 for more info.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 954-434-8111.

Park Hours

Everglades Holiday Park is open 7 days a week. (Rain or Shine). They open at 9:00am. Airboat tours depart every 20 minutes or less. The last airboat departs at 5:00pm. (You need to arrive by 4:30pm).

Guests are only allowed to see the alligator show once. Therefore, the entire experience takes less than 2 hours.

Travel Tip

Travel Tips: Arrive at Everglades Holiday Park in the morning and then spend the afternoon at one of the many beaches in Ft Lauderdale or on the Ft Lauderdale Millionaire’s Boat Cruise.

Conversely, if you have something planned in Miami or Ft Lauderdale in the morning, arrive at the Everglades Holiday Park by 4:30pm to participate in the entire experience.

The Everglades

Everglades Holiday Park is located in the Everglades, which is a 1.5 million acre subtropical wetland ecosystem in South Florida.

The Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators (who can only live in freshwater) and crocodiles (who can live in both fresh or salt water) co-exist.

Everglades Airboat Rides

Everglades Holiday Park offers 60-minute fully narrated airboat rides. Guests glide across a river of saw grass in a state-of-the-art vessel at speeds up to 60mph.

As you venture deep into the ecosystem, you will see alligators, wading birds, lizards, snakes, and unique vegetation. When an alligator or other wildlife is spotted, the captain cuts the engine so every boat occupant can get a good look.

Want to learn more about alligators? Check out my Top 15 Alligator Amazing Facts blog!

My Personal Experience

My tour guide was a 4th generation Floridian who goes by the name “Swamp Thing”, which is also the name of his air boat.

Two seconds after the boat took off we reached such high speeds my hair was whipping in the wind and I could not hear the person next to me speak. It was exhilarating!

Fun Everglades Facts

Swamp Thing pointed out birds, lizards, and plants as he told interesting stories about life in the Everglades:

45 minutes later we were headed back to the dock and still had not seen an alligator. Not good for a travel blogger who needs to take pictures. I started praying “Lord make an alligator appear right here.”

Alligator Sighting

Right then an alligator appeared on my side of the boat right next to me! Swamp Thing kept trying to turn the boat so that the passengers on both sides of the boat could see our new friend.

But the gator locked eyes with me and kept moving so that he was continuously located right next to me. Either God answered my prayer or I look delicious!

Check out the video I took!

Animal Planet’s Gator Boys

Everglades Holiday Park provides a safe haven for many of the alligators captured by the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Team.

The Gator Boys are experienced gator trappers who hand capture alligators that have shown up in the back yards, swimming pools, garages, and bedrooms of Florida Everglades residents.

Their TV show on Animal Planet is in its 6^th season. You can watch all 6 seasons for free on the Animal Planet website. Or you can pay to watch ad free on their YouTube channel. Check out this video of the most challenging Gator Boys alligator rescues!

Nuisance Alligators

Every year the state of Florida captures 8,000 “nuisance” alligators, meaning alligators that were found on private property. Unlike for other animals, Florida does not charge for alligator removal.

The state used to re-locate nuisance alligators, but discovered that they always return to the same property. If an alligator is relocated twice, they will return to that same property twice. Usually they are after the property owner’s dog.

Florida Fish & Game euthanizes the nuisance alligators or turns them into commercial alligator farms where they will be killed for their skin. The Gator Boys saves these alligators from certain death.

Check out my blog Gatorland in Orlando: Everything You Need to Know in 2025!

Gator Boys Alligator Show

A 15-minute Gator Boys live alligator presentations is included with Everglades Holiday Park admission. It includes a glimpse into the behaviors and mannerisms of the American alligator. And information on conservation efforts for both the American alligator and the wetlands they call home.

As part of the show, the Gator Boy propped the alligator’s mouth open and showed us its 40 top teeth and 40 bottom teeth.

Alligators close their jaws with enough force to break bones, but have almost no muscle power when opening their jaws. (Read more about alligators here). So he then rested his chin on the alligator’s mouth.

An alligator’s eyes are located on the top of their heads, so the Gator Boy put his hand in the gator’s mouth and it did not bite down.

Baby Alligator Selfie

As part of park admission, guests get to take a picture holding a baby alligator with its mouth taped shut. They swap out 10 different baby alligators all day long for the pictures.

Everglades Holiday Park Gift Shop

The Everglades Holiday Park Gift Shop features alligator themed merchandise including T-shirts, shot glasses, and Christmas ornaments. There are also a few Gator Boys items for sale.

There is also a convenience store and full service Cafe & Deli open 7 days a week from 9:00am-5:00pm. The menu includes frog legs and gator bites.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a 1.5 million acre subtropical wetland. It consists of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods. And it is home to alligators, crocodiles, manatees, Florida panthers, and much more!

Located on the southern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park has 3 main sections. The Shark Valley entrance is in Miami, the Gulf Coast entrance is in Everglades City, and the Main Entrance is in Homestead.

Check out the Kims Everglades National Park blog to learn more!

Where to Stay Near Everglades Holiday Park

If you’re planning an airboat adventure and a close-up look at Florida’s wild side at Everglades Holiday Park, choosing the right base in Fort Lauderdale can make the trip even better. Here are three highly rated options for every budget:

Budget Accommodation – Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

This hotel delivers dependable comfort at a great value. Guests love the complimentary hot breakfast, free airport shuttle, and clean, modern rooms. It’s a smart pick if you want convenience without overspending. Plus, you’re just a short drive from both the Everglades and Fort Lauderdale’s cruise terminals.

Mid-Range Accommodation – B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale

This beachfront property offers a more relaxed, resort-style experience while still keeping you within easy reach of Everglades Holiday Park. Enjoy direct beach access, a lively pool scene, and dining with ocean views. Perfect if you want to blend your Everglades outing with lazy afternoons by the water.

Luxury Accommodation – The Atlantic Hotel & Spa

Spacious suites, full kitchens, a serene spa, and sweeping ocean views make this a standout choice for travelers looking to unwind in style after a day of Everglades exploring.

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