This was one of the adventures we wanted to try during our Florida trip: an airboat ride in the wetlands of Everglades. My recent post on Everglades National Park indicates there is abundance of wildlife in this park; specially Alligators; and Gator park offers close encounter with the wildlife. We drove from Miami to Gator park in the morning. The park offers a souvenir shop, a 30 minute airboat tour, an alligator show and a small restaurant.
We reached at the Gator Park.
We started with the Airboat tour. There were many groups for taking this tour and we waited in the queue for our turn.
An airboat parked at one end.
The tour begin and we started to move swiftly on the canal.
The tour guide provided us some knowledgeable facts about the Everglades and the alligators.
We saw an Anhinga on the branches of a near by tree.
An alligator swimming in the marshy area.
The airboat picked up speed and headed for the river of grass. We were provided ear plugs before the tour begin as the boat’s fan gets pretty loud. We were also holding on to our hats as the boat rushed on the wetlands. It felt exciting as if we were hydroplaning on water.
After a distance the tour guide stopped the boat in the middle of wetlands and provided more information about Everglades.
Another airboat approaching us.
A closer view of the plantlife.
Encountered a soft-shelled turtle in the tall grass.
Another alligator near the airboat.
We started our return journey.
Airboats crossing each other.
After the tour we went to the open area behind the gift shop where they have kept many alligators.
Alligators behind the fence.
Baby alligators were in a separate area.
Next was a small alligator show. The guide demonstrated a barehanded technique of alligator wrestling which was originally used by the Seminole Indians to capture alligators and showcases the great power and agility of the gators.
A part of the trick was to jump on the alligator back from behind and hold his jaws.
Then tie his mouth and press his head so that the alligator cannot turn and bite.
The alligator turned to one side after the show.
The guide also held a live scorpion in his hand and showed around. This was little scary.
He also held a baby alligator.
After the show there was an option to take a photo with a real live baby alligator at a small fee. I held the baby gator too and felt it was pretty heavy.
This was a fun and memorable trip though short yet adventurous.
Sounds like fun..would love to try this. Thanks for sharing!
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Glad you liked it. Do let me know about your experience whenever you visit. 🙂
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This looks like so much fun! Great picture of you holding the baby gator. I noticed you didn’t want to take your eyes off of him. Maybe because he was so cute. 😀
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Yeah I wanted to have a good look at it.. Never know when I would hold him again. Also I was wondering what might be the little alligator thinking.
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I would be keeping my eyes on him too. 🙂 Was he a baby alligator or a juvenile?
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I guess he was about 3 years old.
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I was stung by one of those scorpions. The ones in Florida are not known to be deadly (unless you are allergic), but they have a very nasty sting. I have the misfortune to be allergic.
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I am sorry to hear that. I was not aware that the scorpions in Florida are not deadly but still I was afraid of the scorpion being held by the guide.
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Lovely pics!
I really enjoyed this trip:)
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Thank You for the appreciation 🙂
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Nice photos–looks like fun and a cool place to go. What? You didn’t want to hold a live scorpion?? (JK)
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Thank you Terri for your lovely comment. I was hesitant to hold the scorpion as have always heard scary stories about its sting 😛
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I would not have held it either 🙂
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Your shots here make Gator Park sure look family friendly and an education opportunity.
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Thank you! Yes it was educational. Had not known so much about the alligators before this trip.:)
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You are so right, I need to do this! The airboat looks so fun!
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Great! Will look forward to the pictures of your next Florida trip 🙂
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Reblogged this on Come Travel Along.
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