6 Safety Tips for Airboat Tours in Orlando
You can find over 350 species of plants and animals throughout the Florida Everglades. This rich destination for ecotourism allows you to ride through swamps and lakes for a unique nature experience that you can only find in Florida. There is no better way to experience nature than through airboat tours in Orlando. Orlando airboat rides offer tons of fun for visitors and residents alike, but it's always important to consider the safety tips. Our airboat ride experts offer these safety tips to remember when you are going on a Florida airboat ride.
Taking an airboat trip in the Florida wild puts you at risk of injuries or insect bites. This risk makes it essential to bring a first aid kit containing critical first aid items that will help treat wounds, bites, and stings. In addition, it is not uncommon for children to be very adventurous on their airboat trips, so it's imperative always to supervise them closely. Keeping a first aid kit on hand helps in case of any emergency, and while most good airboat rides have medical kits onboard, it's never a bad idea to bring one along with you just in case.
It is always important to be comfortable on an airboat ride in Orlando. It's also essential to remember that what you're wearing may help attract bugs and mosquitoes to come and take a bite out of you. Our airboat captains suggest wearing light-colored clothing. If bugs bother you, then long pants and long sleeve shirts will help keep insects away. However, if you bring along insect repellent or aren't bothered by bugs, shorts and t-shirts are fine. Keep in mind that perfume and cologne can help to attract insects, and strong smells also can repel wildlife from coming around. It's best to avoid any extra scents that might chase away the animals that you're hoping to see.
While many animals viewed on airboat tours in Orlando may seem friendly and cute, they can often become very aggressive. It would be best never to feed any wildlife while on an airboat ride. Offering them food can scare them away or cause them to become aggressive. For example, gators are often more afraid of humans than humans are fearful of them. Coming too close to an alligator can make them escape out of sight quickly.
Your enjoyment of an airboat ride can become more difficult because airboats have extremely noisy engines. Loud engine noise from airboats can become disturbing for children especially. If you are planning an airboat ride, especially with small children, it is important to consider bringing earplugs to help block out some of the engine noise. Most airboat ride companies provide noise protection for visitors, but getting your own will make sure that you are covered.
Heat exhaustion or heat stroke is common with the extreme Florida summer heat. The last thing you want to have on an airboat ride is a medical emergency in addition to dressing appropriately for the weather. Therefore, it is also essential to prepare to be hydrated. Ensure that you bring enough water bottles for everyone coming on the ride to stay hydrated for the duration of the tour and avoid a medical emergency due to heat exposure.
It's no secret that the sun's UV rays can be harmful to our skin. Florida weather comes with sunshine and heat, so when you take an airboat ride, you may want to bring a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, and bring sunblock to protect sensitive skin from sunburn during your trip.
There is plenty of fun and excitement to be had on airboat tours, but safety and comfort are always a top priority. Please come well prepared so that you do not risk your safety, comfort, or health during your Florida airboat adventure.
