2ozzietravellers
Oct 2019
My wife and I took this excursion after disembarking from the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship and prior to drop off at Miami Airport.
So glad we did.
An excellent tour run very professionally by all staff at this venue.
If someone has not taken an airboat tour before, it is highly recommended.
We have done it a few times now and it is always a great experience, albeit very noisy.
Earplugs were supplied luckily.
I'd love to have the chance to drive one of these things.
We saw a few Alligators and turtles.
All of which were so close you could have patted them on the head.
Although......NOT recommended.
The Alligators swam alongside and around our boat for some minutes.
We're from Australia and have done some river tours in our Saltwater Crocodile infested rivers.
THEY are far larger and more dangerous and aggressive than the Alligators of Florida and you are NEVER at eyeball or water level, but, having said that, you wouldn't trust these lizards either.
Your guides will stress this point.
After the airboat ride you visit the other animals kept at the park.
You can hold a baby 'Gator should you wish.
The park also has some beautiful large cats.
A Cougar, Leopards and Bobcats they have rescued from stupid people who had them as pets, found they became a tad difficult to control....Duh!!... and released them to the unfamiliar 'wild' or handed them in to refuges like this one.
We saw that the enclosures were of a reasonable size and well designed and constructed.
Admittedly, they are still cages, but these animals appeared relaxed and well cared for.
We're confident that the owners of this park only have the best interest of these animals at heart.
The alternative would be euthanasia of these beautiful creatures I believe.
There is an excellent air conditioned gift shop here as well.
Bought the T shirt.......and drinks and snacks
In conclusion, we would definitely recommend a visit to this park/refuge.