90 minutes · from $79 per person · most popular
90-Minute Gulf Airboat Ride & Dolphin Quest
The river, the backwaters and then the Gulf of Mexico — open water, dolphin sightings and the kind of ride you feel in your chest.
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- From
- $79 per person+ tax
- Guests
- Up to 5per airboat
- Route
- River, backwaters & Gulf
This is the tour most guests choose, and the one we recommend if you have never been out on the Gulf.
You cover everything on the 60-minute Scenic Safari — Monkey Island, the backwaters, the wildlife — and then the river opens up. Seven miles from the springs, the Homosassa River meets the Gulf of Mexico, and the airboat keeps going. Dolphin pods feed where the river water mixes with the Gulf, and they are famous here for riding a boat's wake.
What makes the extra 30 minutes worth it
- Open-water running across the Gulf shallows — the part guests remember most
- Dolphins feeding at the river mouth and, often, surfing the bow wake
- Mangrove keys, barrier islands and channels you cannot see from the river
- All the river wildlife of the shorter tour, at no extra stop
60 minutes or 90 minutes?
River and backwaters
Monkey Island, cypress backwaters, alligators and wading birds. Calm water, wildlife-heavy, good for small children and anyone who prefers not to be on open water.
From $65 per person + taxRiver, backwaters and Gulf
Everything above, plus the run out to the Gulf of Mexico for dolphins, mangrove keys and open water. The most popular tour we run.
From $79 per person + taxYour own boat
Book the whole airboat for up to 5 guests and set the pace with your captain. Ideal for families, couples and photographers.
Private pricing at checkoutWhat is included
Included
- 90 minutes on the water with a licensed captain
- Life jackets in every size, and earmuffs
- Safety brief before departure
- Wildlife spotting all the way out and back
Good to know
- No alcohol on airboats
- Dolphin and manatee sightings are never guaranteed
- The captain decides whether Gulf conditions are safe on the day
- No restrooms on board — use the dock before you leave
Guest reviews
The Gulf run, in guests' words.
★★★★★
Go fast and watch for dolphins
Take the airboat ride out to the gulf and you will likely be chased by parts of dolphins who want to ride the wake from the boat. The captain was awesome and the ride was exhilarating. Super fun way to catch a sunset on the gulf.
★★★★★
Water fun for everyone!
We did manatees for 3 hours in the morning and airboats for 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon where we saw porpoises in the Gulf. I highly recommend this company!
Before you book
Gulf airboat ride questions
Will we see dolphins on the 90-minute tour?
Is the Gulf ride rougher than the river tour?
Can I book the 90-minute tour privately?
How much does the Gulf airboat ride cost?
Out past the river mouth.
Book the 90-minute Gulf Airboat Ride online, or call the dock at (352) 628-5222 to talk through the day’s conditions.