Aerial · Cherry Pocket & the water around it
Wild Gator Airboat Adventures runs airboat tours and pontoon cruises from the dock at Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak, 3100 Canal Rd, Lake Wales. About an hour from Orlando.
US Coast Guard licensed Master Captains · Airboat certified
5.0 on Google · 238 reviews Read the reviewsDeep in Florida’s wetlands, Old Florida is still alive.
Family-friendly airboat adventures, scenic pontoon cruises, and unforgettable wildlife tours launching from Cherry Pocket in Lake Wales, Florida. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the captains know the area well and share it respectfully.
Book online through FareHarbor, where you pick your date and time. Or call 813-409-6578 and talk to a captain. Want the boat to yourselves? A private 1-hour tour is $360 per boat plus tax, airboat or pontoon, up to 6 people.
Fast, exciting, and perfect for guests who want the classic Florida airboat experience with wildlife and wide-open wetland views.
A slower, scenic cruise for guests who want to relax, take photos, and enjoy the water without the rush of a faster ride.
The best of both worlds for families, groups, and special occasions that want scenic time on the water plus an exciting airboat ride.
A private airboat trip on water and land with Captain Justin or Captain Slade, 25 to 30 years on the water. Pick a fun one-hour run or a half day across multiple lakes and inland sites.
Drag the handle to compare the two rides.
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Take an exhilarating ride on water and land with Captain Justin (30 years on the water, 5th-generation Floridian) or Captain Slade (25 years on the water).
See Florida's wild side aboard a powerful yet safe airboat. Your journey is virtually unlimited: choose a fun one-hour tour, or see multiple lakes and inland sites.
This boat glides across the water and, when the need arises, turns onto land to reach sights most people have never seen, places only accessible by airboat.
Alligators · Whitetail deer · Wild hogs · Raccoons · Otters · Coyotes · Wood storks · Sandhill cranes · Eagles · Osprey · Ducks · Great egrets · Snowy egrets · Snail kites · Hawks · Songbirds · Limpkins · Gallinules · Ibis · Wild turkeys · Woodpeckers … and many more.
“We’ve been doing airboat rides probably twice a year for over 20 years, this was best tour yet. Captain Slade is a so passionate and knowledgeable, it just makes the trip perfect. Try this trip.. it’s the best.”
Jeremy H. · Google review
Absolutely a blast!!!!! Captain Slade was extremely professional and very knowledgeable about area and the wild life. Actually took time to stop and educate us on ecosystem, plants animals. Took the time to find gators so we could get some pictures. Very good with operating vessel, extremely safe, Highly recommend taking this trip for anyone. We enjoyed every second of our time with Captain Slade. Planning a second trip to bring our kids for next adventure!!!
Read on Google ↗Wonderful experience! Captain Slade was phenomenal! He made it enjoyable for the adults and kids! He stopped several times to show us nests, wildlife and a variety of sights. Overall, absolutely amazing way to spend the afternoon. Great for first timers who have never been on airboats. Will definitely be back!
Read on Google ↗The whole ride from the beginning to the end was amazing!!! Captain Slade and his wife were wonderful to the whole family and FUN!!! Gave us so much information about all the birds and was so friendly!!! It really made coming to Florida to see family so special!! Thank you for a GREAT TIME!
Read on Google ↗Had a great experience on the airboat ride. We saw a lot of wildlife and got to cover a good amount of water, which made the trip feel exciting the whole time. The guide was really good—he talked throughout the ride and explained what we were seeing, including details about the area, animals, and how everything works in the ecosystem. It made the whole experience a lot more interesting instead of just a ride. Overall, very enjoyable and definitely worth it.
Read on Google ↗Reviews and rating from Google. Shown as Google provides them; Google picks which reviews it shares.
Clips our captains filmed on recent trips. Tap one to watch it full size with sound.
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30 years on the water and a lifetime outdoors.
Captain Justin is a 5th generation Florida native whose trips are interactive, educational, and deeply personal. Safety comes first, fun is a very close second, and by the end of the trip guests feel less like customers and more like family.
25 years on the water, and real respect for the wildlife.
Captain Slade loves helping people feel comfortable, included, and cared for. He wants guests to leave not just with photos, but with stories, knowledge, and a deeper respect for Florida’s ecosystem.
Tap to hear it straight from the boat: a minute out on the lake while the captain points out what's around you.
Our own photos from the water. Guests commonly spot alligators, birds and turtles.
Wildlife is never guaranteed. The captains know where to look.
Every ride starts and ends at Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak, on the water at 3100 Canal Rd in Lake Wales, FL 33898. Grab a meal before or after your ride.
Take a walk through the Shak, from the bar out to the deck over the water.
Visit Cherry Pocket’s website ↗
3100 Canal RdCherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak, Lake Wales, FL 33898
DirectionsAn easy day trip from the theme parks, Orlando and Tampa. Rough drive times to the dock at Cherry Pocket:
Please arrive 30 minutes before your tour. Check in at Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak, 3100 Canal Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33898. There are public restrooms.
Kids 2 to 10 are $40. Children under 2 ride free.
Regular airboat and pontoon tours can include other guests, but it's still a personal trip: a small group and a captain who talks with you the whole way. Want the boat to yourselves? A private 1-hour tour is $360 per boat plus tax, airboat or pontoon, for up to 6 people. The Pontoon + Airboat Combo is $750 plus tax for up to 12 people, with an hour on each boat. Call 813-409-6578 to book either one.
You can cancel a prepaid trip up to 24 hours before it starts. If the weather turns unsafe, you get a 100% refund, right up to the time of your trip. The captain makes the weather call.
No, not for the airboat and pontoon tours. (The private Ultimate Florida Experience has some physical restrictions and age limits, so call to ask.)
All safety equipment is provided. Wear clothes for the weather and bring sunscreen. Cash for tipping your captain is appreciated.
Yes, in person. Gift certificates are good for one year after purchase. Call 813-409-6578 to set one up.
Yes, on the pontoon boat only. We don't run them in late summer, when sunset is too late in the evening. Times are subject to change, so call 813-409-6578 to check.
Guests commonly spot alligators, birds, turtles, and beautiful Florida wetland scenery. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the captains know the area well and share it respectfully.
Yes. Booking ahead is the easiest way to lock in your preferred date and time, especially during weekends and busier seasons.
Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak · 3100 Canal Rd · Lake Wales, FL 33898
