Seth A.
Yelp
Everglades Safari Park is a cool way to spend a portion of your day down here in the Miami area. Whether you are a Floridian visiting for the first time or a tourist on vacation, I'd say this place is worthwhile for everyone.
I met a few friends down here who were visiting from out of town. Since no one of us had ever been on an airboat (funny, we grew up in the 1980's watching the Police Academy movies)....this was an exciting chance for us to experience it all here in the Everglades!
Upon arriving midday, we purchased tickets for a 1pm tour. Since we were a half hour early, there was an opportunity to walk around the grounds, soaking up the scenery and spotting some gators hanging out in the water and ponds. This was a nice moment to bask in the swampy waters, immersing ourselves in the tropical elements and grabbing some pre-tour photos.
Although I had read from other visitors that you watch the gator interaction after you experience your airboat ride, for us....we initially started with the demonstration and then got out on the waters.
So yes...after entering past the ticket counter, you then sit down in circular type bullring with benches all around, and you watch a 20 minute presentation where a professional trainer gets inside a giant cage with roughly 12 giant gators surrounding him. The expert interacts with the gators and talks about their lives and behaviors. This for me was the best part of the park.
I give the gator expert credit, he performed all sorts of demonstrations and truly showed no fear exhibiting a true sense of how gators can be handled with care. It was incredible....he brought out a bucket of chicken with bones, meat and carcasses and it was remarkable how the gators knew it was feeding time as they cautiously surrounded him.
The expert explained how gators use their mouths and snapping ability to crush their prey. You could sense there was a mutual respect between the guide and the gators. It was pretty evident that when carefully handled, gators can be wondrous to learn about. The show won me over!
Afterwards, before heading out on the airboat tour, they offer for a small fee to take a photo handling and holding a baby alligator...as a little memento. I thought this a great souvenir idea! Your group waits in line before boarding the boats and virtually everyone paid the $3 fee for the photo....even myself who's scared of handling any reptiles, lol.
Onto the airboat, finally! Here it was just okay. The experience was nothing special. At first it's nice to go fast and feel the blowing winds. Point of the ride is to get out on the swaps and spot gators. Unfortunately we saw just a sparing of gators in the waters. From the boat, you don't get too close for realistic photo opportunities. This was disappointing. Yeah, the driver and guide will talk about the surroundings and answer any of your questions, but you don't encounter much wildlife, unless you take birds into account.
The thought of encountering gators in their natural elements was a little too imaginary for us. Still...it was pleasant to finally get out on those coveted airboats and witness what the tale was all about, even if a little underwhelming.
The boat tour lasted for about 45 minutes, then when combined with the gator show beforehand and walking around the Safari Park grounds...we spent roughly 2 hours there.
All in all, I'd say this was a positive experience for myself and my friends. We got some great pictures of us all on the airboat. The gator show was exciting as well having the chance to hold a gator.
Also, we visited on a beautiful spring day and the weather was perfectly sunny and not yet too hot. The only letdown was not confronting enough gators on the airboat ride. But like I mentioned at the beginning, I still enjoyed my time here and I'd recommend stopping on by for those who have never experienced the backdrop and setting of the swamps here in the Florida Everglades.