On our recent Kissimmee vacation, my family wanted to do something different… something exciting, and a Boggy Creek Airboat Ride was just that. My mom, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and I headed out to East Lake Fish Camp one morning with the hopes of seeing some real life alligators. This was to be our first airboat experience, and we were in for a real treat.
{Getting ready for the ride}
Captain Kirk (yes, that’s his real name) met us on the docks to offer some safety tips and cracked a few jokes. After grabbing some ear protection, we were off. The giant propeller on the back of the boat is pretty loud, so ear protection is very important.
There were a few things that surprised me about the ride. I wasn’t prepared for how fast we went at times. Captain Kirk made sure we had a good time, getting the boat up to speeds and high as 45 mph and making a few sharp twists and turns. However, the best part of the ride was when we were going real slow and taking in all the beautiful swamp life.
The East Lake Fish Camp, one of Boggy Creek’s 2 locations, has a true “Everglades” feel. It’s amazing that a place like this still exists in Kissimmee. At time the reeds popping up out of the water were so thick that it didn’t seem like we could get through them, but the airboat glided through with ease. Our captain did a great job of spotting wildlife for us. At one point we came upon a nest of baby alligators. There had to be 4 or 5 of them. The mama gator kept our distance, and although we couldn’t see her… I’m sure she had an eye on us.
We saw gators, turtles, a variety of water foul, and lots of bugs. Turns out the swamp is a very buggy place to be, so I recommend spraying on some insect repellent and keeping your mouth closed when you go out on the boat. Trust me… you don’t want to ride through a swarm of gnats while your mouth is still gaping open from spotting that last gator.
After our super fun boat ride, we had a chance to meet a baby alligator named fluffy. He is one of the many alligators that the folks from Boggy Creek has rescued from alligator farms, where they bread the animals for purses and belts. A few of my family members were eager to hold and pet Fluffy, me on the other hand… let’s just say that I kept a safe distance.
The Boggy Creek Eastlake location offers a restaurant, pony rides, and petting farm onsite. My sister and brother-in-law ordered a plate of gator bites. Personally I don’t know how they could eat it after meeting Fluffy, but different strokes for different folks. I’ll just have to take their word for it that the gator bites with a honey mustard dipping sauce were delicious.
This airboat ride was a highlight of our family vacation, and something I would love to do again!
Boggy Creek offers a variety of different airboat excursions, depending on which location you choose. They stay pretty busy throughout the year, so I recommend making a reservation. Before heading out for your Boggy Creek Airboat Ride, be sure to grab some sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent. For more information about the Boggy Creek Airboat Rides you can visit their website at http://www.bcairboats.com.
Stay tuned for more fun times from our Kissimmee vacation.
* About A Mom received complimentary tickets.
5 Days Left 
5 Days Left
Twitter: marriedcoupons
says:
Oh how fun! We went on our first airboat ride in Florida this past spring. It was so cool! I’ve never been to Kissimmee, but will keep this in mind if we ever get there
Dawn Lopez recently posted..Vitacost 15% off Sitewide Cyber Sale
Twitter: justtryingtosav
says:
As many times as we have been to Florida we have never rode an Airboat! Looks like fun! It is on our to do list for next summers vacation!!
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Twitter: BillElliott2006
says:
I have always wanted to go here but we keep putting it off. After reading your review I think we are going there this summer. Thank you very much
I think that might have been my most favorite thing I did when down there last time! I loved it!
Liz recently posted..Thai-Inspired Mango Salad for When You Just Can’t Lean Cuisine Alone
Twitter: susiebhomemaker
says:
Sounds like it was a lot of fun! Definitely something you don’t get to do everyday. I’m not sure I could’ve eaten gator bites either though. lol
Susie B. Homemaker recently posted..Fun Family Vacation at Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth, MI
Looks like you had a great time! And wow, I do not think I would be that brave to pet a gator… even if it was a baby one!!
Amanda recently posted..Nutrisystem Week 11: Tips For Surviving The Holidays
Twitter: Grandma_Juice
says:
That looks like so much fun!! I think I’d be just a bit nervous around those gators though for sure!!
Ronni Keller recently posted..RSV Prevention and Awareness Premature Birth: Our Guy Is Now 4
Wow that sounds like a lot of fun. Something I would normally be a little nervous to do, but yet would do it anyway just for the heck of it. lol. Thanks for letting us know what to expect. I’ve never gone on an airboat ride before. I would have loved to pet the baby alligator, and like you, I don’t think I would have been able to eat the gator bites after meeting Fluffy. Glad you guys enjoyed the trip.
Twitter: surfnsunshine
says:
I went on this a few months ago and it was pretty fun. I think my family would really enjoy it too – especially being able to pet and hold a baby alligator at the end!
Jeana recently posted..Cruise Weddings: Pros and Cons of Saying “I Do” on the High Seas
Twitter: 50PlusSingleBBW
says:
I have beeen to Florida many times as well and never been on an air boat. Thanks for sharing this. The next time I visit I will have to make it a point to do this.
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Twitter: thebizymommy
says:
It looks like it was a really beautiful boat ride! I don’t swim well, so being in boats with all my kids makes me a nervous wreck, lol. That and gators, I’m just not sure I could handle it. But it’s so pretty, maybe I could make myself if we ever had the chance!
Tiffany recently posted..Cooking with the kids: Omelets in a bag
Ahh I’m so jealous! That’s definitely one of my things on my life to-do list! It looks like you had a lot of fun! I don’t know about holding the alligator or even touching it, I’m not too much into reptiles lol.
Twitter: JewelWood
says:
This looks like so much fun! I would like to go to Kissimmee and take the airboat rides! I just love riding around in boats, and getting to see wildlife would be great!
We stayed in Kissimee many years ago when we took the kids to DisneyWorld. Had a wonderful time.