Everglades Safari Park
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Our take
By Matt Spaulding, Founder and writer
Everglades Safari Park sits about 15 miles west of the Turnpike on Tamiami Trail, which means 35 to 40 minutes of driving from central Miami before you see your first alligator. The payoff is a 30 to 40 minute ride on twin rotor boats the park says seat up to 45 people. That scale is the tradeoff you should understand going in: these are big shared boats leaving every 20 to 30 minutes, so you will be riding with a crowd and shooting photos over other passengers' shoulders. If you want a small boat and a guide answering your questions directly, book a private tour (40 or 60 minutes) instead. Back on land, your ticket also covers the wildlife nature show, the jungle trail, an observation platform and the crocodile exhibits, and the park's own FAQ puts a typical visit at two to three hours. Parking is free, hearing protection comes with every ticket, and general tours need no reservation. Two things to plan around: tours run in rain but stop for lightning, and mosquitoes in the warm months are serious enough that repellent belongs in your bag. One more wrinkle, the park lists its last airboat at 4:30pm on its tour pages but 4pm in its FAQ, so treat 4pm as your cutoff.
Quick facts
- How long
- 2 to 3 hours, per the park's own FAQ, covering the airboat ride, wildlife show, jungle trail and exhibits
- Included
- 30 to 40 minute airboat ride, wildlife nature show, jungle trail, observation platform and crocodile exhibits, plus hearing protection with every ticket
- Getting there
- 26700 SW 8th St on Tamiami Trail (US 41), about 15 miles west of Turnpike exit 25 and 35 to 40 minutes from central Miami. Watch for the totem pole in front of the lot.
- Parking
- Free on-site lot (the park states parking is complimentary with your visit)
- Hours
- 9am to 5pm daily (the park lists a 2pm last tour on December 24 and a 10am opening on December 25). General tours depart every 20 to 30 minutes; the park lists a final airboat at 4:30pm on its tour pages and 4pm in its FAQ, so plan for the earlier one.
- Booking
- No reservation needed for general tours. Private tours (40 or 60 minutes) must be booked in advance.
Where it is
26700 SW 8th St (Tamiami Trail / US 41), Miami, FL 33194
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Check tickets →Everglades Safari Park FAQ
How long does a visit to Everglades Safari Park take?
The park's own FAQ says most visitors spend two to three hours. The airboat ride itself accounts for 30 to 40 minutes of that, and the rest goes to the wildlife nature show, the jungle trail and the exhibits. Add 35 to 40 minutes each way for the drive from central Miami.
Do you need a reservation for the airboat ride?
Not for a general tour. Boats depart every 20 to 30 minutes and you board the next available one, so you can simply drive out and buy admission at the gate. Private tours, which run 40 or 60 minutes, do require a booking ahead of time.
Is parking free at Everglades Safari Park?
Yes. The park states that parking is complimentary when you visit, so there is no separate lot charge on top of admission. The lot is right off Tamiami Trail behind the large totem pole, which is the landmark the park itself tells drivers to look for.
What does admission actually include?
One 30 to 40 minute airboat ride through the Everglades, the wildlife nature show where guides talk through how local animals survive out there, access to the jungle trail, and the observation platform and crocodile exhibits. Hearing protection is handed out with every ticket because the boats are loud. The Safari Cafe and gift shop are on site and billed separately.
Is there a minimum age, and can you bring a dog?
The park sets a minimum age of eight months for the airboat. Pets are not allowed anywhere on the property, and the park offers its airboat tours in American English. Pregnant visitors are advised to check with their doctor before riding.
What happens if it rains?
Tours keep running in rain as long as there is no lightning or thunder, in which case departures pause until it passes. The park sells ponchos if you get caught out. In the warm months it also recommends mosquito repellent, and that advice is worth taking seriously on the jungle trail.