Of Course, Florida is the place to go for theme parks and high tech attractions but sometimes it’s nice to see what else Florida has to offer. With this in mind we took the trip out to Southern Kissimmee to Boggy Creek Airboat rides, located on Southport Road. There is also another location on Boggy Creek Road at East Lake Fish
Camp.
Boats leave every thirty minutes, but when we went in high season there was a one and a half hour wait. We whiled away the time in the booking lodge looking around the shop and playing draughts. When the time came we boarded an airport which takes approximately twenty people and donned the ear defenders which are provided and definitely essential! The driver explained that as the weather was so hot, the alligators would be hiding under the weeks at the sides of the small islands but he would attempt to find one for us – in fact we were lucky to glimpse a small one and one about six feet long.
Much of the time we were gliding past grassy islands but at one point the river opens up and we were amazed at the expanse of water we were speeding across! The boat reaches speeds of 45 mph and it’s very refreshing on a hot day, particularly if you are lucky enough to sit up by the driver.
We saw many different types of herons, eagles & other birds, cattle grazing by the waters edge and turtles basking on mounds around the islands. I’m sure that more knowledgeable visitors would spot other types of wildlife – someone on our trip saw a bird of which there are only two breeding pairs in the UK! When we visited in August a slight disadvantage was the number of flies around the jetty area, but we were told they do not bite, have a life span of only a day and a very short season.
All too soon our 45-minute trip was over. It wasn’t a cheap excursion at $39 per adult but we should have had the forethought to book via this site! Pre-purchased tickets start at $17.50!! We all agreed it was a great experience. There are also one hour night trips, which sound great, and at East Lake Fish camp you can book a para sail ride 800 feet about Tohopekaliga!
If you are bitten by the airboat buy you can also hire an airboat to drive yourself at the eastern end of the 192. I think that will have to wait till next year!!
Camp.
Boats leave every thirty minutes, but when we went in high season there was a one and a half hour wait. We whiled away the time in the booking lodge looking around the shop and playing draughts. When the time came we boarded an airport which takes approximately twenty people and donned the ear defenders which are provided and definitely essential! The driver explained that as the weather was so hot, the alligators would be hiding under the weeks at the sides of the small islands but he would attempt to find one for us – in fact we were lucky to glimpse a small one and one about six feet long.
Much of the time we were gliding past grassy islands but at one point the river opens up and we were amazed at the expanse of water we were speeding across! The boat reaches speeds of 45 mph and it’s very refreshing on a hot day, particularly if you are lucky enough to sit up by the driver.
We saw many different types of herons, eagles & other birds, cattle grazing by the waters edge and turtles basking on mounds around the islands. I’m sure that more knowledgeable visitors would spot other types of wildlife – someone on our trip saw a bird of which there are only two breeding pairs in the UK! When we visited in August a slight disadvantage was the number of flies around the jetty area, but we were told they do not bite, have a life span of only a day and a very short season.
All too soon our 45-minute trip was over. It wasn’t a cheap excursion at $39 per adult but we should have had the forethought to book via this site! Pre-purchased tickets start at $17.50!! We all agreed it was a great experience. There are also one hour night trips, which sound great, and at East Lake Fish camp you can book a para sail ride 800 feet about Tohopekaliga!
If you are bitten by the airboat buy you can also hire an airboat to drive yourself at the eastern end of the 192. I think that will have to wait till next year!!