A little bit of nature in Orlando
I recently had the opportunity to visit Boggy Creek Airboat Rides. I had family come into town, and they are more nature oriented than theme park oriented. I found Boggy Creek Airboat Rides online, and found they are the closest airboat rides to the city of Orlando. They have two locations, Boggy Creek West - located off Southport Road, and Boggy Creek East - located just off Boggy Creek Road. I visted the West location and was very pleased with the results.
There are several different tours offered, including a nature drive in a school bus on steroids! The company has raised a school bus on monster truck wheels and removed the windows. You have to climb a ramp to load onto the bus, which then is taken to a nature reserve. You are liable to see many different animals. We saw deer, cows, raccoons, and more birds than I could count. We also saw gators in the gator pond, sunning themselves. It was an interesting experience, and fun to ride in a monster-truck sized school bus. After taking the nature tour, we went over to ride an airboat. The company offers either private airboat rides (which cost a bit more at $45 per person) or you can opt to join 17 other passengers on the standard half hour tour for $21.95 per person. The first thing you get, before even stepping on the boat, are a lovely pair of ear protectors. The reason will soon become clear why you should wear them! While riding the airboat, you first glide through the marshy outer edges of Lake Tohopekaliga (or Lake Toho as the locals refer to it) and see many different types of wildlife. When we went, one of the resident alligators had just hatched quite a few eggs, so we were able to pull the airboat into the offshoot and see hundreds of baby alligators. We pulled right up next to them, it was amazing how close we got! After a slow ride through the outer edges of the lake, your airboat operator suddenly hits the gas, and you are flying along the water at 45 mph! The wind whips at your face, the water sprays up at you... it's absolutely exhilerating, and you become very appreciative of the protective ear gear!
Boggy Creek Airboats offers several different packages, including a package that allows you to combine the wildlife "safari" upon your monster school bus and an airboat ride. They also offer the private 45 minute airboat ride as well as an evening airboat ride. Reservations are required for the private and evening rides, otherwise, show up and have a blast! Their website is at www.bcairboats.com, and lists all prices, directions to either location, and a place to purchase discount tickets.
This is an activity that I would highly recommend during your stay in Orlando. It offers a picture of the other side to Florida, the side that doesn't include hotel rooms and rollercoasters. It is worth the money you will pay, and is an unforgettable experience! Don't forget your camera!
