Top Fort Lauderdale Wildlife Encounters

Make sure you tick off the most important highlights of the Everglades with an experienced guide in the lead when you book this Everglades airboat tour. Race through the River of Grass listening to in-depth commentary on the local environment and wildlife. Plus, round-trip transport from Fort Lauderdale is provided for a stress-free adventure.

Go for an immersive airboat ride through Everglades National Park—and leave the transit and logistics to someone else—on this half-day tour from Fort Lauderdale. Pick between morning and afternoon tour times, and meet your driver at your hotel. Then, head for the Everglades: upon arrival, transfer to your boat and zip along the waterways, soaking up the unique scenery and looking out for alligators and wildlife as you go.

Fly high above the Gold Coast of Fort Lauderdale on this small-group parasailing adventure and enjoy views you can't get anywhere else. Head out on the water with a captain and crew for a safe experience. Once you’re hundreds of feet in the air, take in views of Lauderdale Beach, the surrounding blue waters of the Atlantic, and even a glimpse of the Bahamas on a very clear day.

Escape to 60 acres of tropical paradise with this admission ticket to Flamingo Gardens Botanical Garden and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary. The gardens boast more than 3,000 species of rare and exotic, tropical, subtropical and native plants. The arboretum has some of the largest trees in the entire state of Florida. And the wildlife sanctuary is home to native-Florida animals like alligators, bobcats, otters, eagles, panthers, peacocks and, of course, the famous flamingos.

Travel deep into Everglades National Park on a private airboat tour and wildlife encounter at Sawgrass Recreation Park. Experience the unique subtropical ecosystem on your own airboat, going deeper into the Everglades than on typical public rides. Skim across the grassy water at high speeds while looking for alligators, fish, turtles, and wading birds. This tour includes entrance to the park and admission to the Reptile and Glades exhibits.

A combination of Jet Skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, the SEABOB is a truly remarkable experience that lets you swim with the fishes quietly and safely. After a short gear fitting and training session on the SEABOB, explore local reefs where you can dive up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) and see a variety of aquatic sea life.

This Fort Lauderdale Day/Night Time Reef Bottom Fishing Charter is perfect for anyone looking to experience deep sea fishing in just half a day. You’ll cruise past the stunning mansions on "Millionaire’s Row" before dropping your first line and feeling the thrill of the catch. The crew is always there to assist, and when you return, they’ll even clean your fish and recommend great local spots to cook it up fresh.

Coconut Cove was once a mangrove and buttonwood swamp until the late 1920's, when the U.S. Army Corp. of engineers was granted permission to deposit the fill while dredging the Intracoastal. The fill caused the swamp to perish, which prompted Mr. Bartlett to plant rows of Coconut Palms where the current Bonnet House parking lot exists. The property is a blend of native and exotic flora including a desert garden, Orchid House, Shell Museum, Fruit Groves, Freshwater Slough, Wild Coffee, Silver Palms, Coontie Plants shaded by Gumbo Limbo, Seagrapes, Sabal Palms, and Paradise Trees to name just a few splendors in addition to the 1920 Bonnet House Museum with it's incredible architecture built around a Fountain Garden and displaying art, sculptures, and collectibles from all over the world. It is truly the last of Old Florida in the present day and a celebration of the protected history and the legacy of Frederic Clay and Evelyn Barlett's vision and talent.