Private Airboat Tours From Miami, FL

How Far Is the Everglades From Miami, Really?

The Everglades begins right at Miami's back door, but our part of it is about an hour north. Miami sits on a broad plain between the Everglades to the west and Biscayne Bay to the east, so drive west from the city and the suburbs give way to marsh quickly. That western edge is where the Tamiami Trail runs, and where the Shark Valley entrance of Everglades National Park sits.

Aces works a different stretch of the same ecosystem. Our launches sit on the northern edge of the River of Grass, in western Broward and Parkland, beside the Water Conservation Areas. Water in this system slowly moves south through those areas toward the national park, so you are riding the upstream end of the same wetland the Tequesta knew when they lived at the mouth of the Miami River, more than two thousand years ago.

The real miles and drive time from downtown Miami to each launch are printed in the getting-here section below. For a longer look at every way to reach the Glades from the city, read our guide on how far the Everglades is from Miami.

The short version: if you want the closest of the airboat tours Miami offers, stay near the city. For a private boat and a captain who lives out here, drive north.

How Far Is the Airboat Launch From Miami?

From Miami, the closest Aces launch is our Sawgrass Expressway launch at Atlantic Boulevard. The usual route: I-95 north to the Sawgrass Expressway (or Florida's Turnpike to the Sawgrass), west to Atlantic Blvd.

• Sawgrass Expressway at Atlantic Blvd: about 41 miles, roughly 55-65 minutes by car outside rush hour.
• The Landing, Parkland: about 51 miles, roughly 70-80 minutes by car outside rush hour.

We also run trips from our Stub Canal launch on request; ask Captain Billy which ramp suits your group.

Times are measured from central Miami and grow at rush hour and on event weekends. Captain Billy confirms the exact meeting spot, parking and what to bring when you text or call 561-660-2419. All three launches open onto the same wild, gator-rich northern Everglades, so pick whichever is easiest for your day. See every launch on our pickup locations page.

Driving to Our Launches From Miami

Most Miami guests drive, and the route is simple expressway most of the way. Captain Billy confirms your exact meeting point when you book, so you only need the general direction.

1. From Brickell, Downtown or Edgewater: take I-95 north, or Florida's Turnpike, to the Sawgrass Expressway, then head west and north to the Atlantic Boulevard ramp.
2. From the west side or the airport area: take I-75 north to where it meets the Sawgrass Expressway, then follow the Sawgrass north to the Atlantic Boulevard ramp.
3. From Miami Beach: cross the causeway to I-95 north and follow the Sawgrass route above.

Weekday rush hour on I-95 can stretch the drive, so an early start or a weekend morning is easier. A rideshare from Brickell or Wynwood works, but it is a long fare each way, so a rental car usually makes more sense for this trip.

Staying at a PortMiami cruise hotel before you sail? A morning ride the day before boarding fits well. Tell Captain Billy your ship times and he will plan around them. If you are already staying further north, our Aventura and Fort Lauderdale guides cover shorter routes.

Not sure which launch is easiest from your hotel? Send the hotel name to 561-660-2419 and you will get a straight answer.

What You See Out There and How to Book

On airboat tours Miami guests take with us, expect a wide-open marsh full of life. We see American alligators on the vast majority of trips, from big adults on canal banks to small ones in the lily pads. They are wild, so we never promise a count. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a good primer on the species.

Birds fill in the rest: great blue herons, great and snowy egrets, anhingas, white ibis and ospreys, with roseate spoonbills a bonus when they show. Turtles sun on the banks, and tree islands rise out of the sawgrass. Our Everglades wildlife guide covers what you might meet in each season.

Booking is a conversation with the owner, not a checkout page:

1. Text or call Captain Billy at 561-660-2419 with your date, group size and preferred time of day.
2. He matches you with the right boat and confirms the launch that is easiest from your hotel.
3. You drive north, meet your captain at the ramp and head out.

Every tour is a private boat, so the rate depends on your group and ride length. Ask Captain Billy for yours. Guests rate us 4.9 stars on Google; read what they say on our reviews page, or reach us through the contact page.