USA · WILDLIFE

The 15 Best Wildlife Tours in the USA

31 tours  ·  from $34 a head

Alligators, manatees, humpbacks, bison and the occasional bear, all on someone else’s schedule. The 15 below compare the trips on price, season and how honest the operator is about what you will see.

From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show & Bus Transfer - The 45-minute airboat ride
Airboat & Everglades Tours, Airboat Tours in Miami, Private Drivers, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours in Miami, Wildlife

From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show & Bus Transfer

1.Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show & Bus Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 8,622 reviews · 5 hours · from $49Our pick

Take a five-hour Miami excursion to Everglades Holiday Park with an air-conditioned bus, a 45-minute airboat ride, and an alligator and wildlife presentation. Captains such as Kyle, Jose, and Captain Chaos are known for lively commentary and good animal spotting. Spanish bus commentary is available on selected departures, but the Everglades tour is in English.

“Great, we got to see 4 alligators and it was a great show, driver of the bus, Ronet was very entertaining and knowledgeable”

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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching - Auke Bay is where the real action begins
Tour Reviews, Tours in Juneau, Whale Watching, Wildlife

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,379 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177Top rated

Meet Alaska Tales beneath the tent by Juneau’s Mt. Roberts Tramway, then ride to Auke Bay for a whale-watching cruise. Expect a heated cabin, outdoor viewing decks, snacks, bottled water, and a naturalist-led search for humpback whales. Guides such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate have been praised for clear wildlife talks and care around the animals.

“Every staff member at Alaska Tales that I encountered was friendly and knowledgeable. They genuinely care about their city and their wildlife. I was on their very last tour of the season couldn’t have been happier with the experience! We didn’t have to go far to see a pod of 3 whales. The captain did a great job getting us close but not too close.”

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Miami: Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show - Guides who make a short ride work
Airboat & Everglades Tours, Airboat Tours in Miami, National Parks, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Miami, Wildlife

Miami: Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show

3.Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,296 reviews · 1 day · from $42

At Gator Park, you’ll take a 35 to 40 minute narrated airboat ride through Everglades National Park, then watch a 30 minute alligator and wildlife show. Guides such as Cody, Jay, Anthony, John, and Tom are known for mixing facts with humor. Park entry and transportation cost extra.

“Really nice for everyone who has never seen an alligator. Great guide also”

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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier - From the bus to a whale-watching boat
Tour Reviews, Tours in Juneau, Whale Watching, Wildlife

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

4.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249

Spend about 45 to 50 minutes at Mendenhall Glacier, then board a warm, wildlife-viewing boat with large windows and an outdoor deck. Local guides such as Captain Michelle, Nate, Taylor, Ashley, and Leon help you spot humpback whales, sea lions, eagles, and more. Round-trip cruise-port transport keeps this half-day outing simple.

“Glacier wasn’t as exciting as I had hoped but we got to see 4 different whales on our tour. Boat captain and guide was very interesting since he knew so much about the whales.”

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Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage - The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center comes first
National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Anchorage, Wildlife

Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

5.Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,004 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $199

From Anchorage, follow Turnagain Arm to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Chugach viewpoints, Beluga Point, and seasonal glacier trails. Guides such as Holly, Hunter, Patrick, and Aaron add local history and phone photography tips. In summer, you can upgrade to the Ptarmigan Glacier Cruise for a closer look at Portage Glacier.

“An amazing time spent with family while in Anchorage. We loved our travel guide Patrick. While admiring nature and the animals around Anchorage we learned so much. Learning about the history was fascinating, as this was our first time in Alaska. We are cherishing this trip and the fantastic memories. Thank you Patrick for making it so memorable.”

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Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West - From Key West harbor to mangrove islands
Tour Reviews, Tours in Key West, Wildlife

Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

6.Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,962 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Board the 34-foot Tiger Cat at Pier B in Key West for a two-hour wildlife trip through mangrove shallows and out to shark country. Guides such as Matt, Clay, and Tanner share local ecology as bait brings lemon, nurse, bull, blacktip, and possible hammerhead sharks close to the boat. Polarized sunglasses, drinks, snacks, shade, and a restroom are included.

“Great experience. Also learned some shark facts. As we were heading back to shore, we also saw a bunch of dolphins swimming. The captain circled around so we could watch them for a bit”

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Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour - What the 90-minute route feels like
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin & Manatee Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Naples, Wildlife

Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour

7.Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,590 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Set out from Port of the Islands Marina for a 90-minute wildlife cruise with a Coast Guard-certified captain. Boats carry up to six people, and guides such as Paul, Becky, Chris, Andi, and Storm know where manatees gather. You may also spot alligators, crocodiles, bull sharks, herons, pelicans, and jumping fish.

“The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the water neighborhood, wildlife, habitat, vegetation and behavior of the seaborne and land animals. He even talked about the hurricane damages around the area..”

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Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus From Miami - What you may see in the wetlands
Airboat & Everglades Tours, Airboat Tours in Miami, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours in Miami, Wildlife

Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus From Miami

8.Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus From Miami

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,886 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $49

Travel by air-conditioned motorcoach from Miami to Everglades Holiday Park, then ride an airboat through the wetlands with a guide such as Captain Zack or Captain Drew. Look for alligators and other wildlife, attend a short wildlife show, and receive a group photo. The English airboat tour lasts about four hours overall, including the 45 to 60 minute ride each way.

“Well worth going. About an hours drive from Bayside to the park. Very old bus and not the happiest of bus drivers. The captains of the air boats were great. We had captain Zack and he was very good. Shared lots of info about the area and the wildlife, really enjoyed the boat trip”

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Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter - What You May See From the Boat
Airboat & Everglades Tours, Airboat Tours in Fort Lauderdale, Tour Reviews, Tours in Fort Lauderdale, Wildlife

Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter

9.Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,791 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $33Best value

Make your own way to Sawgrass Recreation Park for a 30 to 40-minute guided airboat ride through the Everglades. Your captain may point out alligators, turtles, fish, and wading birds, followed by alligator and reptile exhibits, tortoises, iguanas, and conservation displays. Morning departures often offer better wildlife viewing in hot weather.

“Air boat ride was great. The staff in gift shop was great. The rest of the staff was not very informative. The animal show was not very good or informative.”

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Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise - Leaving Seward through Resurrection Bay
Cruises & Boat Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Seward, Wildlife

Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

10.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,756 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $265

From Seward, you’ll cruise about 100 miles through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, stopping near Holgate or Aialik Glacier and Chiswell Islands or Cape Resurrection. Expect heated reserved seating, binoculars, lunch, and naturalist narration. The crew may include Captain Lara and guides such as Luis, Melody, or Sydney.

“1. Prepare for motion sickness if you have the propensity for it. 2. Dress in layers to go from sunny and warm to windy and cold to raw and rainy 3. If you bring a camera, especially w telephoto lens, bring a monopod for stability 4. Bring your binoculars”

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From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour - Entering Yellowstone’s Lower Loop
National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Jackson, Wildlife

From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour

11.From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,557 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $329

Spend about 13 hours traveling from Jackson or Teton Village through Grand Teton and Yellowstone with a naturalist guide. Look for bison, bears, wolves, elk, and moose, then visit Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Lower Falls, geyser basins, and Hayden Valley. The small group, picnic lunch, binoculars, and hotel pickup make this a convenient but long day.

“My wife and I cerebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary with a private tour of Yellowstone. Our guide Kevin was second to none! He was absolutely dynamite providing exceptional hospitality and knowledge. He knew every inch of the park and had an uncanny ability to anticipate knowing what could be around every corner. We saw bison, wolves, elk, deer, grizzlies and so on.”

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Orlando: Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket - What the 30-minute airboat ride is really like
Airboat & Everglades Tours, Airboat Tours in Orlando, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Orlando, Wildlife

Orlando: Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket

12.Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,459 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $36

At Wild Florida, you’ll take a 30-minute airboat ride across 4,200 acres of Central Florida wetlands with an English-speaking captain such as Jeff, Lauren, Todd, or Mike. Your ticket also covers the wildlife park and live alligator demonstration. Plan for weather, and arrange your return ride in advance.

“Even on a record breaking COLD day all the expected services were there and all staff were very kind and accommodating! We'll be back,...and with more friends!”

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Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour - What the two-hour boat ride feels like
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Myrtle Beach, Wildlife

Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour

13.Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,250 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $46

Spend about two hours on the Waccamaw River, Intracoastal Waterway, and nearby creeks with a captain and lively guide such as Agnes or Abigail. Expect cypress-lined water, stories about local history and ecology, and chances to see alligators, herons, osprey, egrets, turtles, and cormorants. The shaded boat holds up to 40 people.

“Incredible time we had. Everyone from moment we walked up to place, til we left were great. Captain and the narrator of tour kept everyone engaged, funny and very informative, saw alligators, egrets, herons and learned about the habitat they live in. Gift shop had quite good prices, woman's t-shirt, man's safari shirt, fridge magnet great score. Thank you!”

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Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in a Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle (season dependent) - Open-air safari rides from June through mid-September
Tour Reviews, Tours in Jackson, Wildlife

Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in a Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle (season dependent)

14.Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in a Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle (season dependent)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,212 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

Join BrushBuck Wildlife Tours from Jackson Hole for a four-hour Grand Teton safari in a seasonal open-air or heated enclosed vehicle. Your guide searches for moose, elk, bears, wolves, bison, and birds, while sharing park geology, wildlife habits, and local history. Expect binoculars, snacks, photo stops, and guides such as Kyle, Kelsey, Allie, or Anthony.

“This was an incredible day that we thoroughly enjoyed! We were so fortunate see all kinds of wildlife on our tour that was just breathtaking.”

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Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise - Whales, Otters, Eagles, and the Element of Luck
Cruises & Boat Tours, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours in Seward, Wildlife

Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise

15.Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,156 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

Join Major Marine Tours in Seward for a four-hour wildlife cruise through Resurrection Bay. Captain Laura and the crew may guide you past Bear Glacier, Cape Resurrection, Steller sea lions, seabird rookeries, whales, sea otters, eagles, and mountain goats. Bring warm layers, rain gear, and a charged camera.

“Really nice experience! I saw all the nice reviews and didn’t want to get my hopes up but my expectations were definitely exceeded! The crew was so nice and we got to see so many different areas and animals. I will absolutely be back to do it again!😊”

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New in Wildlife

★ 5.0Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching QuestFrom $178812 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Wildlife Safari Tour in Grand Teton National ParkFrom $170341 reviews
★ 4.5Private Tour: Florida Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife AdventureFrom $140498 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife Tour of Indian River Lagoon with Experienced Captain409 reviews
★ 5.0See Crystal River – Mantee & Wildlife Viewing CruiseFrom $42349 reviews
★ 4.5Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife RefugeFrom $75605 reviews
★ 4.5Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the RainforestFrom $149719 reviews
★ 5.0Portage Glacier Cruise and Wildlife Explorer TourFrom $239378 reviews
★ 4.3Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching CruiseFrom $148378 reviews
★ 4.8Grand Teton National Park Guided Wildlife TourFrom $159676 reviews

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