airboat tours jekyll island

Let's Ride!

Airboat Tour

Take a ride through the beautiful Georgia marsh and wetlands. This hour-long trip will have you cruising along the natural waterways where you will see countless birds, various vegetation, and other native species that call this place home. Can't guarantee every trip, but you can occasionally see a river otter or two, bottle-nose dolphin, stingrays, and bonnethead sharks. Even more rare, but still possible are manatee and alligators.

A minimum of 2 passenger tickets is needed for the trip to go. If the minimum is not reached, you will be contacted and moved. While toddlers are free and will be counted as a passenger on the vessel, they do not count towards the minimum requirement.

The maximum capacity of the airboat is 6 passengers.

Reservation receipts are sent by [email protected]. If you do not see it in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder.

The ticket service charge is a 3rd party non-refundable charge.

Captain Robert is a born and raised Georgian man. He has been in the fire service for 35 years, with 25 of those years being a fireman for Glynn County Fire and Rescue. He has also served as a Combat Corpsman in the military and did a tour of duty in Iraq. You are in safe hands on the water!

If your preferred tour date isn't available, Captain Robert is most likely fighting fires, rescuing cats from trees, or walking an old lady across the street. When he is not working for the fire department, he enjoys his time taking small groups of people out on the water in his airboat or taking Sundays off to spend with his beautiful wife of 23 years. Together they have 3 children, 3 grandchildren, 2 dogs and a cat.

He established Island Airboat Tours in 2018 and has 10 years of experience as a captain. He enjoys sharing information about the Georgia Coastline and Ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will we see Alligators? It is a rare occurrence to see gators in the salt marsh. They prefer freshwater, but, if you are extremely lucky, we might.

2. Can I wear a hat? Yes, feel free! Just make sure it is strapped to your body or secured tightly.

3. What else do you recommend we bring? First, and foremost, bring a Camera! Take this golden opportunity to capture the wonder of the marsh and wetlands in Georgia. I also recommend polarized-sunglasses, bug repellent, and sunscreen.

4. Do you provide life jackets? Yes, but only for those over 3 years of age. Parents and/or Guardians must provide their toddler(s) under 3 years old their own life jackets or personal flotation device.

5. Can I bring my pet? Unfortunately, not. We don't allow any pets on the trip for safety and liability reasons. Please leave them behind with a good book, plenty of water, and food.

6. What is your policy on drinks? Feel free to pack a small cooler of water or other beverages. Just no alcohol. This is a short trip, you can wait until after we get back.

7. Speaking of drinks, do you have a bathroom? There is no restroom on the boat. What you see is what you get. Please go before you arrive.

8. What if there is bad weather? Island Airboat Tours reserves the right to make the weather call. It will not be decided more than 2 days out as the weather in Georgia never does what the weatherperson says. Have patience. You will receive a call or text if your reservation needs to be cancelled and rescheduled or cancelled and refunded due to bad weather.

9. What is your Cancellation Policy? Refund of the tickets are given to cancellations with greater than 24 hours' notice. Less than 24 hours' notice will forfeit all funds. The Ticket Service Fee is a non-refundable third party fee.

Contact Island Airboat Tours

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Explore natural living

Jekyll Island Tours & Excursions

Learn about jekyll's fascinating history and natural ecosystems with a guided educational tour..

Dolphin Tours of Jekyll Island

Jekyll island fun tours, little raccoon key, 4-h tidelands nature center.

Golden Isles Carriage & Trail at Three Oaks Farm

Nature Walks

Mondays - north tip and driftwood beach, wednesdays - south tip and beach creek, fridays - south dunes picnic area, nature walk cost for individuals and families.

Lighthouse Trolley Ghost Tours of Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island Historic Tours

Jekyll island club resort history tour, jekyll island segway tours.

Lighthouse Trolley Tours of Jekyll Island

Website search tool..., local jekyll island weather, book your stay, make your online reservation.

Book Your Jekyll Island & Coastal Georgia Golf Tee Times Online

Shop jekyll island gear & apparel.

Kayaking & Canoeing on Jekyll Island

Summer Waves Water Park

Map of jekyll island tours.

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Our seven-mile island is rich with conservation, history, and wildlife. Choose one of our many tour options to see and learn more about this special place.

Make waves with a career on Jekyll Island!

Explore opportunities with Summer Waves Water Park, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, landscaping, retail, golf, and more.

Vote Driftwood Beach for “Best Beach” and Jekyll Island as “Best Island” before voting ends on June 30.

Report a Wildlife Incident on Jekyll Island

Touring The Waters Of Jekyll Island & The Golden Isles

Nautical Adventures for Entertainment, Celebration and Education

Rated #1 in Tours on Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island Boat Tours gives you the opportunity to explore the vibrant waters of the Golden Isles through a variety of boat tours. Hop aboard our US Coast Guard Certified boats and breath in the fresh sea breeze.

Boat Tours depart from the Historic Jekyll Wharf, don't GPS the address, GPS WHARF

Join our fully narrated dolphin/sightseeing tour from the Jekyll Wharf as we travel the scenic waterways of beautiful Jekyll Island to observe the magnificent bottlenose dolphins feeding, playing, or simply cruising about in their natural habitat while you learn about their social behavior, feeding habits, and much more.

Dolphin Tours

If you are planning a special group event or private party, we’ve got you covered.  Our Private Boat Tours are perfect for your event.

Group and Private Tours

Tour reminders.

• We try to depart on time, so please arrive at least 20 minutes before your tour.
• GPS the WHARF and not the address, we depart from the Historic Jekyll Wharf, many GPS programs do not work on Jekyll Island because it is a State Park
• Reservations are highly recommended.

Stunning Seaside Location

We are located on Jekyll Island, Georgia, midway between Savannah and Jacksonville in the Golden Isles. Specifically, our area is at the Jekyll Wharf in the Historic District, directly across from the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and Resort. The Jekyll Wharf restaurant is also located on the Wharf for a convenient meal before or after your tour.

Let’s Plan a Boating Trip!

For more information on our tours, reach out to our friendly team here in Jekyll Island, Georgia.

• Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

per kid (4–10)

50 min tour

2-3 hour visit

Zip through the world-famous twisting mangrove tunnels of Everglades City as your captain amazes you with knowledge of Everglades plants, animals, and history. Watch out for alligators—they may have their eyes on you! Then check out the Everglades City Boardwalk, Animal Sanctuary, and alligator show, all included with your tour.

5 Attractions Included with All Our Tours

Animal Sanctuary

Alligator Show

Hug an Alligator

Upgrade your tour.

Add Grassland & Buggy

Add Grassland Airboat

Add Swamp Buggy

• Private Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

Add Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour

Choose the right tour.

• On a 50-minute Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour (the tour you're looking at now), you'll zip through Everglades City's twisting mangrove tunnels, world-famous waterways shared by multiple tour companies. Boats seat a maximum of 6 guests.
• Add a 30-minute Grassland Airboat Tour to explore an exclusive mangrove and grassland preserve under wide-open sky. Boats seat about 15 guests.
• Add a 30-minute Swamp Buggy Tour to explore exclusive grasslands and cypress forests from a raised buggy, which seats about 20 guests.
• For the shortest wait, we'll seat you on the first available airboats, which may have 6 or 10 seats.
• We try to keep groups together, but we may split your group onto multiple airboats.
• Other people may be seated with you.
• Infants must be assigned a seat, even if they sit on your lap.
• A Private Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour ensures your party gets an entire airboat to yourself to see Everglades City's famous mangrove tunnels.
• On all other airboat tours, you might be seated with other guests, or be split onto multiple airboats if there aren't enough seats on one airboat.

Guests Love Us!

“There is something about flying down narrow alleys of mangrove trees that is just a rush. I could never get tired of it. The guides always give more than just a ride. You learn so much about the Everglades and the total ecosystem that it is. We most certainly will be back!

—C. from Florida

“The mangrove tour was so much fun! We saw a family of dolphins swimming along the boat, several alligators, and a few fish jumping out of the water. Riding through the mangroves was beautiful and a fun way to see the Everglades. I would recommend to anyone.”

—J. from Massachusetts

“We really enjoyed seeing the alligators. The captain of the airboat gave a lot of information about the Everglades and habitat. The addition of the two-way headsets let us all communicate during the tour. This was really a highlight of having friends down visiting us new Florida residents. Plan to bring other guests."

—K. from Florida

“We did the combo package and it was amazing! Great way to experience all 3 ways to 'see' the Everglades! Would highly recommend. All the captains for each segment were fantastic! Had a great time!"

—J.T.

Why Choose Captain Jack’s?

Local Roots

Safety & Experience

Two-Way Headsets

Alligators & animals.

Quietest & Comfiest

Personal & Popular

Refreshments & Gifts

Top questions.

• 45 minutes from Naples
• 75 minutes from Fort Myers
• 90 minutes from Miami
• 3 hours from Tampa
• 4 hours from Orlando

Don't use Uber, Lyft, or other ride-sharing services. They can't pick you up when you're done!

• Yes, all ages are welcome on all our tours.
• Any passengers aged 17 or younger must be accompanied by at least one passenger who is aged 18 or older.
• Coast Guard regulations require everyone, even infants on your lap, to buy a seat.
• Consider bringing sunblock, bug spray, and comfortable shoes and clothes.
• You might get a little wet from small splashes and spray.
• If rain is forecasted, we recommend bringing a poncho.
• Many guests see wild alligators, birds, and other wildlife on their airboat and buggy tours, but Mother Nature makes no guarantees, so neither can we.
• You will definitely see alligators and other rescued animals in our Animal Sanctuary , an attraction included with all our tours.
• Our tours run rain or shine, except when there's a thunderstorm.
• We don't refund bookings if you cancel too close to a tour's departure time (check the policy when booking).
• Sometimes we need to delay due to thunderstorms or other unforeseen circumstances. We'll do our best to reschedule or issue a refund.
• Our airboat docks are handicap accessible, but wheelchairs can’t be loaded onto our airboats.
• If anyone in your party is using a wheelchair, please be sure they can move from the wheelchair onto the airboat.
• For everyone's safety, pets and service animals are not allowed in the Animal Sanctuary , near the boat launch, on airboats, or on swamp buggies.
• Service animals are allowed only in the gift shop, restrooms, and picnic areas.

Mangrove Coupon

Get a $3.33 discount, free Alligator Hugs, and free admission to our alligator show and Animal Sanctuary when you sign up for our email newsletter!

We'll email the Mangrove Airboat Tour coupon to you:

• Total Everglades Combo
• Mangrove Tunnel & National Park Combo
• Mangrove Tunnel & Grassland Combo
• Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
• Private Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
• Mangrove Maze Ultimate Combo
• Mangrove Maze Airboat Tour
• Grassland & Buggy Combo
• Grassland Airboat Tour
• Lodging Nearby
• Total Everglades Stay & Play
• Online Gift Shop
• Animals & Alligator Show
• Everglades City Boardwalk

THE 5 BEST Jekyll Island Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in jekyll island.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for Big Groups
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Jekyll Island ​Dolphin Tours

2. Turtle Tides Jekyll

3. Coastal Expeditions

4. 4-H Tidelands Nature Center

5. Georgia Sport Fishing Charters

6. Jekyll Fishing

7. At Your Service Jekyll Errand Girl

8. Salt Lick Adventures

9. Island Catch Charters

What travelers are saying.

• Jekyll Island ​Dolphin Tours
• Turtle Tides Jekyll
• Coastal Expeditions
• At Your Service Jekyll Errand Girl
• 4-H Tidelands Nature Center
• Georgia Sport Fishing Charters