Frequently Asked Questions - Central Florida Airboat Tours (2024)

FAQs

How much should you tip an airboat captain? ›

A 20% gratuity is customary for great service.

For instance, early morning hours are the best for wildlife viewing since the animals are active and the temperatures are cooler. Midday rides are usually the hottest, and the sun's glare will be at its peak. Late afternoon rides are ideal since temperatures are cooler, and the sun's glare won't affect your view.

We recommend you wear shorts, a t-shirt or blouse, and a pair of flip-flops or sandals on those warm days.

Usually, tipping 10-20 percent of the charter's total cost is proper charter fishing boat tipping etiquette (and 15 percent is generally considered the norm.) Additionally, note that the captain will likely share those earnings with their crew!

The amount you tip a swamp tour guide depends on the quality of the tour and the service you receive. A good rule of thumb is to tip 10-20% of the cost of the tour.

You generally will not get your shoes and feet wet and the airboat is quite dry.

Airboats go on the *surface* of the water. They have a very shallow draft and as I said above, have no parts below the surface of the water, other than the flat bottom of the boat. The fan that runs the boat is on *top* of the boat, nowhere near the water.

Normally six to nine depending on the passenger sizes or if it's a mixed group with kids. For most of our Fort Lauderdale airboat rides, we will book you aboard Southern Thunder, our custom built airboat.

Wear shoes that are comfortable, durable, and can get wet. Athletic shoes, sneakers, and water sandals are all good options. Sandals or flip-flops are not recommended as they can quickly slip off your feet during the ride. Also, avoid wearing high heels or any open-toed shoes.

Do you need ear protection on an airboat? ›

Prolonged exposure to noise without adequate hearing protection can cause irreversible hearing damage. It is extremely important for airboaters, who are in prolonged close proximity to airboat engine and propeller sounds, to use hearing protection.

Yes, airboats are loud.

The standard practice for tipping your boat captain ranges from 15 -20%.

Taking in a lot of sunlight during your airboat rides in Orlando may keep you warm but the winds will be cold, and you sure will feel the chill right in your marrows. So, we advise that you wear long-sleeved shirts, a scarf, and even a jacket to keep you nice and warm through your airboat ride in Orlando.

They are capable of reaching speeds up to 30 mph. How long is the tour? You will be on the water up and running about 55-60 minutes. This is how long it takes to cover all the trails airboats are permitted to run.

For excellent service please feel free to tip a percentage of the total charter cost. For a bareboat skippered charter, a gratuity of 15-20% of the skipper fee is appreciated for excellent service however some customers feel it appropriate to tip at a percentage of the overall charter price for outstanding service.

In many cases, you can follow the same standard you would in many other tipping situations. Reward your guide about 20 percent for good service, more if you're really happy and can afford it. If you're not thrilled with the service, drop it down to about 10 percent.

As a generalization, a good rule of thumb to consider is to tip $5USD to $10USD per dive (per tank). When you break that down that is roughly leaving a tip of 10 to 20 percent based on the service provided and your overall experience.

If you feel that your captain provided excellent customer service please leave them a tip at the end of the trip. A customary gratuity is based on 15-20% of the ticket price. While it is not required it is most definitely appreciated.