If you’ve only ever seen airboat tours in the Everglades, the St. Lucie River version might surprise you. It’s quieter, more intimate, and — in our experience, having tried plenty ourselves — genuinely one of the best wildlife encounters on the whole Treasure Coast.
What the tour covers
We regularly recommend Southern Style Airboat Tours with Captain Rick, who runs a tour suited to young and old alike. Expect close-up views of wading birds, turtles, and — depending on the day — the occasional manatee or alligator sighting, all narrated with genuine local knowledge rather than a rehearsed script.
- Tours typically run 45 minutes to an hour
- Life jackets provided; suitable for most ages
- Ear protection recommended — airboats are loud at speed
- Book ahead in peak season (December–March)
It’s a genuinely different way to see the river than from a fishing boat or kayak — faster, more dramatic, and it covers ground you wouldn’t otherwise reach. A great half-day activity to pair with lunch on the river afterward.
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