Airboats are flat-bottomed boats propelled by an airplane-type propeller (fan) and are typically powered by an automobile or aircraft motor. The flat bottom allows them to traverse marshy, shallow and heavily vegetated waters. Their top speed through the clear channels is around 40 mph. They can only go forward (there is no reverse) so it makes for interesting maneuver with a skilled captain to dock and angle up to sites.

Heading into the Everglades

Our first gator siting

Spatterdock plants are plentiful in the Everglades. Wildilfe feed on the leaves, flowers, and seeds, and humans can eat them in survival situations. Experienced captains can gauge the water depth by the size of the spatterdock.

We ended our visit with the Gator Show, where rescued alligators were interacted with by an experienced trainer (so don't try this in the wild).