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Why Take Your Kids on an Everglades Private Airboat Tour at Fort Lauderdale?

 

As adults we all agree that safety for our kids is first. Many parents wonder if an airboat ride at the Everglades is appropriate for their little ones. At Ride The Wind Private Airboat Tour we have good news for you: an airboat Everglades tour is not only safe but an exciting activity for kids.

Fort Lauderdale Private Airboat Rides are Safe for Kids

It’s a common concern, safety for kids. Well, good news, they’re safe. At the private airboat everyone has earplugs for the noise, and the speed is just the perfect one to appreciate the flora and fauna. The vessel is wide enough, if you’re an overprotective parent, you can have your kids at the center. Once you do the first ride with your kids, you’ll want to do it more often.

Taking your kids on an Everglades Private Airboat Tour at Fort Lauderdale can be a unique and thrilling experience with numerous benefits. Here are some reasons why an Everglades Airboat Ride is an exciting activity for your kids. 

Educational Experience:

Kids love learning and discovering new things. The Everglades is the perfect opportunity to learn about an amazing ecosystem. An airboat tour provides an educational fun time for kids to learn about the diverse plants and animal life in this wetland habitat.

It’s common that Everglades private Airboat guides share interesting facts about the environment, wildlife, and conservation efforts, fostering a greater appreciation for nature.

Close Encounters with Wildlife:

If your kids have never been on a safari or a park with different animal species, this will be an exciting activity for them, they will be amazed to see wildlife up close, including alligators, birds, and various fish species. This firsthand experience can be both thrilling and educational for children.

Outdoor Exploration:

Children enjoy spending time outdoors, breathing in fresh air and enjoying the natural beauty of the Everglades. This can be a welcome break from indoor activities and screens. 

Thrilling Adventure:

The speed and agility of airboats provide a sense of adventure for kids. The excitement of gliding over the water and through the grassy marshes can be particularly appealing to those who enjoy thrill-seeking experiences.

Family Bonding:

Shared experiences, like an airboat tour, can strengthen family bonds. The sense of adventure and exploration creates a shared memory that family members can talk about and reminisce over. These are priceless memories that all the family members may want to frequently repeat.

Photographic Opportunities:

The Everglades’ unique scenery and diverse wildlife provide excellent photo opportunities. Kids can capture moments with their cameras or smartphones, creating a visual diary of their adventure. If they’re big enough to use a phone or camera, it’s such an adventure for them to save their own memories, and show them to their friends. 

Everglades Private Airboat Tours at Fort Lauderdale with Ride The Wind!

At Ride The Wind we have more than 40 years of airboating experience, you and your loved ones are safe with our certified and trained boat captains. They will guide you through the Everglades on one of our state-of-the-art vessels that are as safe as they are sleek.

When looking for an adventure that your kids will never forget, don’t hesitate and bring your kids on a safe airboat tour at the Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale. Contact us to book your next unforgettable adventure. Click here to see where we are located. 

Blog, Fort Lauderdale Airboat Tours

What Do Alligators Eat in the Everglades?

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), colloquially referred to as a gator, is a sizable crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. It stands as one of the two living species in the Alligator genus, surpassing the Chinese alligator in size.

According to Wikipedia, adult male American alligators typically measure between 11.2 to 15.1 feet in length and can weigh up to 500 kg, with unverified reports of sizes reaching up to 19.2 feet and weights of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), making them the second-largest members of the Alligatoridae family, following the black caiman. Females are smaller, measuring between 8.5 to 9.8 feet in length. These alligators inhabit subtropical and tropical freshwater wetlands, including marshes and cypress swamps, spanning from southern Texas to North Carolina.

Alligator in the Everglades

Alligators are known for their role as predators in the Everglades, where they maintain a varied diet based on the available prey in their habitat. At Ride the Wind Private Airboat Tours, we aim to provide insight into what alligators typically consume in the Everglades:

Fish: Fish constitute a significant portion of an alligator’s diet. They are opportunistic hunters and prey on various fish species found in the Everglades’ waters.

Amphibians: Alligators are known to consume amphibians, including frogs and toads, which are often found near water, making them accessible prey.

Birds: Alligators can capture birds, especially those that approach the water’s edge to drink or search for food. Wading birds like herons and egrets are common targets.

Small Mammals: Alligators also feed on small mammals that venture too close to the water, including rodents, raccoons, and even smaller alligators.

Turtles: Alligators, with their powerful jaws, can consume turtles, both aquatic and terrestrial species.

Crustaceans: On occasion, they consume crustaceans like crabs, provided they can catch them.

Insects: While not a significant part of their diet, alligators may consume insects that come within their reach.

Carrion: Alligators are known to scavenge and feed on carrion, which includes the remains of animals that have already perished.

Alligators are skilled hunters in their natural habitat, displaying patience and cunning as they wait for the right moment to strike their prey. They use their powerful jaws to secure their meals and play a crucial role in maintaining the Everglades ecosystem’s balance by controlling certain animal populations.

 

Alligators Everglades

 

Ride the Wind Private Airboat Tours in Fort Lauderdale

Experience the thrill of an airboat ride and explore the headwaters of the Fort Lauderdale Everglades. Don’t miss the chance to discover this unique territory. Book your private airboat tour with Ride the Wind today!

 

Blog, Fort Lauderdale Airboat Tours

How to Choose the Best Everglades Airboat Tour Guide

Choosing the best airboat tour at the Everglades can be an exciting and important decision to make to ensure you have a memorable, enjoyable and safe experience. 

guapo the gator ride the wind airboat tour

If it’s your first time at the Everglades you might be wondering how I can find a reliable company for my airboat tour. At Ride the Wind, we want you to consider the following  factors when making your choice:

Research and Reviews: 

Start by researching different airboat tour companies operating in the Everglades. Look for online reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Yelp. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback to get a well-rounded perspective on the company’s services.

Safety and Licensing: 

Ensure that the airboat tour company has all necessary licenses, permits, and insurance. Safety should be a top priority. Check if the company follows all safety regulations and provides proper safety equipment. Here at The Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, there are only 2 USCG Captains, the rest are drivers or guides. Capt. Randy with Ride the Wind is one of those USCG Captains.

Experienced Captains: 

Experienced captains or guides can greatly enhance your experience by sharing their knowledge about the ecosystem, wildlife, and history of the Everglades. Check if the company’s captains are knowledgeable, certified, and well-trained. Capt. Randy is well known as the best and oldest private airboat company in South Florida. “This is why I do not hire anyone who works at a park airboat ride, they just don’t have what it takes to be the best” Capt. Randy. 

Tour Duration and Route: 

Different airboat tours might offer varying durations and routes. Consider how long you’d like to spend on the tour and what areas of the Everglades you’re most interested in exploring. Some tours may focus more on wildlife, while others might emphasize the natural beauty of the landscape.

Group Size: 

Consider the size of the tour groups. Smaller groups often provide a more personalized experience and allow for better interaction with the guide. Larger groups might be a bit less intimate but can still be enjoyable.

Private airboat charters give you a personalized experience and cost a little more than the park rides cramming 30 to 50 people on the airboat for a cheap price. There is a huge difference between private and big groups on 1 airboat. Big airboats can’t go where Ride The Wind Private Airboat Charters can.

Environmental Impact: 

Choose a tour company that prioritizes the protection of the Everglades’ delicate ecosystem. Some companies actively support conservation efforts and eco-friendly practices.

Additional Offerings: 

Some airboat tours might offer extra features, such as wildlife shows, exhibits, or additional activities like alligator handling. Decide if these extras are important to you.

Booking Process and Availability: 

Check the availability of the tour on your desired date and time. Some tours might require advance booking, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Price Comparison: 

While price shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor, it’s still important to compare the costs of different tour options. Remember that quality and safety should come before the price.

Local Recommendations: 

If you’re staying in the area, ask locals or your accommodation’s staff for recommendations. They might provide insights into the best and most reputable tour companies.

Remember that Everglades National Park is a unique and fragile ecosystem, so choose a tour company that values its conservation. With thorough research and consideration of these factors, you’ll have a better idea of how to choose the best airboat tour that suits your preferences and ensures a fantastic experience in the Everglades.

Tourism Advertising Before vs. Now

Time flies and everything is ever-changing. In the good old days a Airboat Tour owner could get help from the Concierge at the hotel by recommending the guest for our services, and of course he would get a commission. Nowadays, big companies such as amusement parks pay about $3,500 monthly to put their cards in the Rack Card of the hotels.

Capt. Randy with Ride the Wind Airboat Tours has +40 years of experience, and he can notice a remarkable variation where the technology takes a part, Online Advertising.

“ We don’t give commissions to each other. It’s just professional, just send people to our friends in the business“ he said. People use their cell phones for searching 5-stars and reviews, and that helps reliable people like him; who have worked hard to make a name in this business, by always  providing professional, friendly and safe Airboat Tours at the Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Click here to see where he is located.

A benefit of the search in the internet is that you can find crucial information, in just a click away.

Private Airboat Tours at Ride the Wind with Capt. Randy

At Ride the Wind Airboat Tours, we have different options from 1 up to 3 hours to enjoy on a private tour. You and your loved ones will have an amazing and safe adventure to remember, with the opportunity to be the co-pilot and drive our state-of-the-art airboat!

Capt. Randy has 40+ years of airboating experience, we are the best choice for your next trip to the Everglades. Contact us today and let’s start planning your next Everglades trip where you’ll see plenty of alligators, birds, turtles, and camps to see, you’ll be astonished as you glide along over 200 years of history.