Best place to observe alligators for visitors?
 

Best place to observe alligators for visitors? we have visitors coming in they are mesmerized by the fact that they can observe alligators, the drive that Apopka is closed during the week that is where I was planning on taking them. Anyone have any ideas as to where I could take them. we really are looking for something in the natural setting as opposed to a bunch of alligators in a cage. Thank you in advance for any possible knowledge you’re going to share

I see by far the most gators on the Championship golf courses with a lot of ponds/lakes.

Gator land has them in cages and in natural setting but safely fenced. Gators can run 35 miles per hour so you don’t want to get to close

I don't know of anywhere in the wild that you can GUARNTEE that visitors will see alligators. That is because they won't be out in the water or on a bank if it is cool or cold the week they are here. So unless it is nice and warm when your visitors are here, you may be stuck with going to a preserve areas. We've seen them on many of the ponds in The Villages or even at Lake Okahumpka and Lake Panasoffkee, but always by chance.

Apopka is open on Fridays in addition to Sat. and Sun., if that helps.

kathy

Lake Griffin state part might be an option you can rent kayaks or go on a boat tour. If the weather is decently warm you’ll see a bunch…just try not to go early in the morning they really need it the temps to warm to get active. Added the link below.




Pontoon Boat Tours at Lake Griffin | Florida State Parks

alligator
 

air boat ride on Lake Panasofoke(not sure of the spelling). you might see them on the ride, and at the end they let you hold one

I see most of them on the golf courses.

don't go on the golf courses unless playing. it's illegal and you can be arrested...even in the dark

I play golf on championship courses twice a week and rarely see a gator. They just aren't around so much anymore. I suggest Gatorland in Orlando. You'll see hundreds of gators up close and safely (and other creatures as well). A real old fashioned Florida tourist trap, for sure.

To see thousands of gators take a long drive south to Myakka State park , East of Sarasota. Long several hour drive but you won’t be disappointed.

When it is a nice hot (for this season) day, they tend to sunbath on the shore. The west shore of Linden Isle has quite a few. 2 days ago I saw about 6.

"La Chua Trail" at Paynes Prairie in Gainesville
 

A memorable place to take them would be to the La Chua Trail in Gainesville. It is part of Paynes Prairie. Have been there several times and never disappointed.

La Chua Trail | Florida Hikes

Although it's an hour/hour and a half drive and you pay $4 I think to park, it's a nice easy walk along the slightly elevated trail. Loads of alligators. We've seen the wild horses out there too. Might need binoculars or a zoom camera to see them.

Apoka wild life preserve drive through on 441 South
It’s free it takes about one hour to drive through it. More gators than you can count

I don't know that there are any guarantees to see a gator in a natural setting.

If you and your friends might like a tour in a natural setting where you might get to see one you could take a boat tour in Mt. Dora.

My husband and I took a tour a few years ago and the boat went through a nature preserve. It was beautiful. We did get to see one gator. It was hard to see because it blended in with the scenery, but the tour guide helped everyone to find it.

We used Premier Boat Tours 352-434-8040 and were happy with them.

After the tour we went to one of the many wonderful restaurants in downtown Mt. Dora.

Just jump in a murky pond. They'll find you. :)

Myakka State Park east of Sarasota is our go to place for gators. You can take a fun airboat ride out on the lake with a guide $$, or drive in and view them where the road crosses rivers and streams. Entrance fee was $6 last time we went. Any tours they give are pretty good. If your party walks, you might locate the Canopy walk area - free with admission. Most walks are short and you may see deer, hogs, birds. Concession has good food and shirts. A well run park. Take cameras or binoculars. Gators in the sun along the river can be enormous and humbling.

Are we sure the OP is not an alligator hunter????

Lake Apopka Wildlife area is by far the best. Only open on weekends, there are no shortages of gators any time of day.

FRIDAY, Sat. and Sun., plus federal holidays.

k.

Gatorland. Inside a park, but still a natural setting. In addition you’ll see lots of migrating sea birds close up.

There is a rather large pond in my back yard, if your company wouldn’t mind seeing an alligator grabbing a bird on that bank and chewing it up like happened this past Saturday. Any pond and maybe you will see one or maybe not. They move around frequently!

We went on an Airboat ride Sunday at Swamp Fever. Fun and a great time. 1 hour ride with several gator sightings. Afterwards held a 3 foot gator. About a 1/2 hour ride from central Villages off 44.

Yes, Myakka is the best around here. There are also quite large gators there, I'd guess up to 12'.

Taken a lot of our guests to Gatorland...it's close, it's very reasonably priced (and usually can get "deals" like senior rates and Groupon. Also, airboat operators (many options very close) are great at taking you to see them in the wild, and also not far to drive over to the nature coast to Crystal River / Homosassa state park area and show them gators and manatees ! Great and again, very reasonable admission to the manatee boat ride, excellent narration by the park personnel who operate the excursion boats, many good places to eat crab c laws at the close of the day too..... Woo woo, it's the season !

We say one in Larry’s pond the other day. If you take 44 west there are 2 airboat places that take you out to see some.