Are you looking for something exciting, something you have never tried before? Coopertown Airboat Tours offers an exciting way to see the Everglades .
Coopertown Airboat Tours
Coopertown Airboat Tours is very easy to find, They are located approximately a half-hour West of Miami on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail). There are big signs as you approach and you turn off the highway right into their parking lot.
The gravel parking lot can be very busy and very tight. I rented a vehicle and ended up with a full-size truck and it was pretty tight. You would not be able to fit an RV, travel trailer/5th wheel into the parking lot.
After entering, you are led to a wildlife nature show where you are introduced to a couple of animals found in the Everglades. The guide talks about wildlife and its impact on the Everglades. Afterwards, you get on an airboat for a 40-minute ride into the Everglades.
The airboat takes you into the heart of the Everglades, where you can see the beauty of the Everglades. It is common to see alligators and birds like Purple Gallinules. I love the breeze in my face on a warm Florida day! Before you know it, you are already back where you can visit the gift shop and restaurant.
Tours Offered by Coopertown Airboat Tours
⭐️ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 40 minute ride | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability
- 40-minute airboat ride
- Wildlife Nature Show
Airboat rides are great fun. You feel the air through your hair as you travel through the Everglades, gliding past stretches of sawgrass and alligator holes. These tours allow visitors to see more of the marshlands of the Everglades.
Airboat rides are very popular and highly criticized. Critics state that they harm the Everglades ecosystem with noise pollution, disturbance of wildlife, and potential damage to the ecosystem.
I want to provide you with this information so that you can decide which tours you are comfortable with. If you choose to take an airboat tour, I recommend using a tour company authorized by the National Park Service, as they have strict rules to help protect the Everglades Ecosystem. Some of these regulations include strict rules operating on different water levels and only being allowed to take certain routes.
Three authorized airboat businesses offer professional airboat tours inside Everglades National Park, including Coopertown, Everglades Safari Park, and Gator Park. All three are located along US Hwy 41/Tamiami Trail between Miami and Shark Valley.
Book Coopertown Airboat Tour HERE
Why you will love Coopertown Airboat Tours
- Professional Airboat Guides take you on a personalized, educational airboat tour.
- Coopertown Airboat Tours have been used in many TV, film productions, documentaries, commercials, and magazine photoshoots over the years. Some of the notables include CSI Miami opening series, Background for the Wheel of Fortune, Miami Vice, Flight of the Navigator, Trading Hearts, and much more!
- There is an $8.00 Everglades National Park Entrance Fee 16 years and older. Make sure to show your National Park Pass to waive this fee.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
What to Pack/Bring with you
For the most part, I do not like to bring personal belongings on boat rides. This is because I don't want to lose them, drop them overboard, or create trip hazards for other guests. Having said that, I do like to make sure I have
- Sunscreen - The sun can be very intense in South Florida, especially on the water. I also buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
- Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
- Sunglasses - Sunglasses help protect your eyes from the sun and will help you to see the area better. Click here to get your National Parks Edition Goodr Sunglasses
- small drybag - I like to put my valuables inside a small drybag whenever I am on the water. This will help protect items from water and most dry bags will float and have a strap. This is perfect for vehicle keys, wallets, cellular phones, etc.
Things to know when planning your boat Tour
- Phone: (305)226-6048
- Address: 22700 Southwest 8th. Street Miami, FL 33194
- Tours run daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, last boat departs at 4:30 PM.
Everglades National Park Lodging Options
Lodging near the Shark Valley Area
Miccosukee Casino and Resort is the closest hotel in the Shark Valley Area located 5 miles from Coopertown Airboat Tours and 18 miles from Shark Valley Visitor Center. They have an 8.6/10 rating with over 1500 reviews and includes a free breakfast, free parking, bar, casino, Free WIFI, adjacent golf course, hiking/biking trails, outlet shopping mall and much more.
Click here to book your stay/learn more about Miccosukee Casino and Resort.
Lodging near Flamingo/South Entrance
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Homestead Florida City - Consider a stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Homestead Florida City and take advantage of free full breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a gym and a 24-hour business center.
Click here to book your stay/learn more about Fairfield Inn & Suites in Florida City.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Florida City - At Holiday Inn Express & Suites Florida City, an IHG Hotel, you can look forward to free continental breakfast, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a gym. Free WiFi in public areas and a business center are available to all guests.
Click here to book your stay/learn more about Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Florida City
Lodging near Everglades City
Everglades City Motel is located in Everglades City at the west end of Everglades National Park. It has a 9.6/10 star review with seven reviews. This is a smoke-free premesis that has free WIFI, TV with cable, air conditioningrefrigerators, microwaves, and ciffee/tea makers.
Click here to book your room/learn more about Everglades City Motel.
Click on the map below to see the current rates for hotels and vacation rentals near Everglades NP.
Information on Area Attractions
Shark Valley Tram Tours in Everglades National Park - Take a 15-mile tram tour and see what this area has to offer. The tour includes a stop at the Observation Tower so you can see the River of Grass from above!
Everglades Boat Tours - Discover all of the boat tours available at Everglades National Park!
Hike the Anhinga Trail -One of my favorite hikes in the National Park System for viewing wildlife!
Stiltsville Boat Tour - A fun boat and educational tour in Biscayne National Park with beautiful views of teh Miami shoreline and the famous stilt houses.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply