The 13 Best Wildlife Tours near Orlando

1.Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,459 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $36Our pick

Take a guided 30-minute airboat ride through protected Central Florida wetlands, watch for alligators, turtles, bald eagles, and birds, then explore Wild Florida’s wildlife park and live alligator demonstration. Captains such as Jeff, Lauren, Todd, and Bobby are known for adding local detail.

“Great experience, very clean grounds with very impressive array of animals each with their beautifully maintained enclosures. Hats off to the staff !”

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2.Silver Springs Clear Kayak Manatee, Monkey & Wildlife Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 419 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80Top rated

Spend two hours on Silver Springs with guides such as Steve, Chris, Ashley, and Justin. Paddle a clear kayak, tandem boat, solo kayak, or paddleboard while looking for manatees, monkeys, turtles, alligators, fish, birds, and old film relics beneath the water.

“Justin was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and did a great job of finding and pointing out wildlife as we paddled through the park”

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3.2 Hour Historical Wildlife Tour of the Chain of Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 293 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $41

Join Living Water Boat Cruises for a two-hour pontoon trip through Winter Haven’s connected lakes and canals. Captains such as Rue, Randy, Bryce, Saige, and Darrell point out birds, alligators, historic sites, celebrity ski spots, Cypress Gardens, and the famous Florida-shaped pool.

“Great afternoon spent on the water and so relaxing. We would highly recommend this to anyone!! Bryce was kind and very educational!”

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4.Florida Everglades Wildlife Airboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 276 reviews · from $89

Ride a 6 to 12 passenger airboat through the Everglades with guides such as Andrew, Ally, Scott, and Chris. Look for alligators, bald eagles, turtles, cranes, and other birds while learning how a small creek feeds this vast wetland. The boat has stadium seating, ear protection, and wheelchair-accessible boarding.

“Captain Ally kindly shared her birthday with us! And the Alligators showed up to celebrate along with the Snail Kite, Sandhill Cranes (and their egg), her lady ship the bald eagle, plus all the moorhens, coots, and vultures. What a birthday celebration it was! Amazing knowledge, friendly attitude and perfect timing. Thank you Captain Ally x”

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5.Clear Kayak Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 247 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Paddle a tandem clear kayak along Florida’s spring-fed Silver River for about two hours. Guides such as Aly, Josh, and Emma point out wildlife, share local nature facts, and help beginners find their rhythm. Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and dry bags are provided.

“Emma was a great tour guide. Would definitely recommend this tour. We saw not one but 10 alligators during this kayak tour. Wonderful experience. Saw plenty of monkeys as well. Water is amazingly clean and river looks beautiful.”

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6.1 Hour Historical Wildlife Tour of The Famous Chain of Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $26Best value

Board a private pontoon at Harborside in Winter Haven for a one-hour cruise through connected lakes. Guides such as Rue, Randy, Saige, and Darrell share local history while you watch for alligators, turtles, ospreys, herons, eagles, and other birds.

“Oh! We had a great captain, Randy who was exciting, fun and a great educator. We had a absolute ball with him. I just moved here to the Chain of lakes area and had family in visiting. Captain Randy educated me on the birds and the Lakes my family was very impressed. Thank you Captain Randy.”

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7.Clear Canoeing and Wildlife Sightseeing at Silver Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

You rent a tandem clear canoe at Silver Springs State Park for a self-guided 90-minute paddle. Rebecca, Tania, Paul, or another staff member may help with check-in, maps, launch details, and wildlife-spotting tips. Expect crystal-clear water, manatees, turtles, birds, fish, and a chance of seeing rhesus monkeys.

“This was an Amazing Experience! As much as i love the gulf. Im willing to give up a few days at the beach to enjoy springs for a few days every year. I felt like i was in a jungle during some parts of the trip. It was Amazing. The glass bottom kyacks really made the trip.”

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8.Everglades Alligator and Wildlife Airboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 50 reviews · 30 min · from $37

From 3702 Big Bass Road, you’ll join an English-speaking captain for a 30-minute airboat ride through the Everglades headwaters. Expect live wildlife commentary, hearing protection, life vests, possible alligator and eagle sightings, and a chance to hold a baby gator afterward.

“Absolutely amazing!! Cap’n Dave was fantastic, I’ve booked for when we come back for next year.”

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9.1 Hour Florida Everglades Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $58

Meet Northern Everglades Adventures Airboat Tours in Kissimmee for a one-hour introduction to Florida Everglades wildlife. The family-owned operator keeps groups to eight, supplies ear protection, and returns you to the same meeting point. The tour is offered in English.

“Amazing experience with friendly and knowledgeable staff Family owned business which is especially important!”

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10.Clear Kayaking Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Meet Casey near the Silver Springs kayak launch for about two hours on the Silver River. Your clear kayak, paddle, life jacket, seat, and dry bag are provided. Small groups of up to eight make it easier to hear the guide and spot manatees, turtles, alligators, birds, fish, and otters.

“Great experience, beautiful views and easy to navigate. Got to see manatees and some gators. Even great for the inexperienced.”

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11.Blue Springs Manatee Tours & Wildlife Adventure Orlando

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend about four hours at Blue Spring State Park near Orlando, including a two-hour guided kayak outing. Kayaks, paddles, and dry bags are supplied as you look for manatees and Florida wildlife while learning about manatee biology and the spring’s unusual mix of clear and dark water.

“Couldn’t really see the manatees, kind of lame, the water is very dark visibility about 8 to 12 inches down.”

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12.Wekiva Wildlife Kayaking Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Join Aaron on a two-hour kayak trip along Florida’s lower Wekiva River near Sanford. Paddle upstream for about an hour, then return while watching for birds, turtles, otters, deer, alligators, and possibly manatees. Kayaks, safety gear, dry bags, and wildlife photos are included.

“Great experience with Aaron. Great time kayaking through the river and the Springs. Discovery of Florida Springs and a lot of information about gators, manatees. We were able to see so many of them!”

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13.Dora Canal Wildlife Kayak Tour – Scenic Old Florida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85

Join local guide Katrina for a two-hour kayak or paddleboard trip from Tavares through Lake Dora and the famous cypress tunnel. Expect basic instruction, calm water, birdlife, turtles, possible alligators, canal history, and complimentary digital photos.

“Katrina was very knowledgeable of the ecosystem, the history of the canal, and the local wildlife!!! Saw numerous birds, alligators and beautiful lake Dora!!! The paddle up and down the canal was very nice and easy to navigate even with boats passing through. The Bru Pub after the paddle was a great touch and nice way to remember the day!!! Go see Katrina, highly recommended!!”

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