Experience the Everglades after dark with Sawgrass Recreation Park’s Gator Night Airboat Tour. Glide through nocturnal wetlands and spot alligators’ glowing eyes on this thrilling one-hour ride.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; mostly seated during the tour but involves boarding and standing briefly.
Wildlife
History
Sawgrass Recreation Park has been introducing visitors to the Everglades’ ecosystem since the mid-20th century, emphasizing conservation and education.
Conservation
The park supports Everglades preservation by limiting tour group sizes and educating visitors on the fragile wetland environment.
Sawgrass Recreation Park
Experience the Everglades after dark with Sawgrass Recreation Park’s Gator Night Airboat Tour. Glide through nocturnal wetlands and spot alligators’ glowing eyes on this thrilling one-hour ride.
Sawgrass Recreation Park is a public Everglades destination located in Weston, Florida that offers guided airboat tours, private excursions, fishing rentals, reptile exhibits, and primitive camping. The park operates multiple tour formats including a general admission 40-minute airboat tour, private sunrise and nighttime airboat adventures, and exclusive options such as the Red Eye Exclusive Nighttime Airboat Adventure and Gator Night Airboat Tour. Sawgrass Recreation Park also provides jon boat fishing rentals, peninsula island primitive camping close to Fort Lauderdale, and private Sawgrass Reptile Exhibit tours for small groups.
All experiences are staffed by trained captains and on-site personnel who lead tours, provide safety briefings, and present facts about local ecology and rescued reptiles. The park includes on-site amenities such as the Gator Grill and a retail store offering snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Fishing participants are required to hold any applicable fishing license. Limited-session experiences—like private reptile tours and primitive camping—are available by reservation and often have restricted capacity. Located minutes from Fort Lauderdale, Sawgrass Recreation Park serves as a convenient gateway to the Florida Everglades for anglers, families, photographers, and nature enthusiasts seeking guided encounters with native wildlife and nighttime wildlife viewing opportunities.
Location
Weston, Florida
Minutes from Fort Lauderdale
Tours Offered
11
Airboats, fishing, camping & exhibits
Private Options
Available
Private airboats & reptile tours
Tour Lengths
40 minutes
Standard airboat tour duration
Book airboat tours, private tours, fishing rentals, reptile exhibit access, or primitive camping — limited availability for private and nighttime experiences.
Bring ear protection
Airboats are loud, so use provided ear protection or bring your own for a comfortable ride.
Reserve in advance
Tours run only on select nights and require a minimum number of passengers to operate.
Wear comfortable shoes
The boarding area is outdoors with uneven terrain; closed-toe shoes are recommended.
Follow safety instructions
Children under six must wear life jackets, and guests should listen carefully to captain briefings.
Light jacket
Evenings can cool off, especially in fall and winter—bring a light jacket for comfort.
fall
Insect repellent
Mosquitoes can be active at night; repellent helps protect against bites.
summer
Closed-toe shoes
Protect your feet during boarding and disembarking on uneven terrain.
Flashlight
Handy for moving around the dock area but not needed on the airboat itself.