My friend recommended Tigertail Airboat Tours as it was his third time with the company. We had just visited “Shark Valley” via the National Park Service which is a few miles west of Tigertail Airboat Tours. We did try to call for a reservation at 305-439-2745, but there was no response. But, we stopped anyway and got right on.Tigertail Airboat Tours is a small operated “family” business, actually owned by a man named “Tiger,” a Miccosukee Indian. You will notice there are a number of similar businesses along Tamiami Trail. Tigertail is a very small operated company with a few guides.

 The Tigertail Airboats can carry up to about ten people. There are some larger airboats at other companies. I like the personal touch at Tigertail.Our guide was “Roberto,” who likes to be called “Bert.” He has a deep passion for the Everglades and even a stronger passion for the wildlife that exists there. His steering of the airboat was superb.Even before getting on the airboat, there was a five foot alligator hanging around named “jaws.” You could tell it was injured at one time.

About a fifteen minute ride takes you to their private “island.” also known as a hammock. They have a number of reptiles and other animals that are cared for on this island. A ten food alligator is on the premise.

They have acquired a smaller alligator named “Qasimoto.” It has a distinctive “hump” and friendly enough to where you can hold this reptile.

We actually got to touch a Razorback pig named “Ham.” She is a delightful pig about 300 pounds. On the way back, Bert took us by where Tiger’s family lived on a private hammock. It is hard to imagine the life that was lived by the Miccosukee Indians, and not very long ago.

A few miles east of Tigertail is the monument of Value Jet 592 that crashed near here in 1996. A 110 column monument–representing the 110 people that died–is across the canal. A short dirt road across the spillway will take you to the monument. It is easy to miss as the signs have been taken down due to road construction.

After living in Florida for nearly sixty years, this was my first airboat ride. I will never forget the experience. I plan not to wait so long for my next ride!