Planning your Orlando vacation and considering an adventure beyond the theme parks? Just 20 minutes from Disney World, our Kissimmee-based alligator tours offer an exciting opportunity to witness Florida’s most famous residents in their natural habitat. Before you embark on this unforgettable experience in Central Florida, let’s address the most common questions we receive from our Orlando visitors.
1. Are Alligator Tours Safe?
Safety is our number one priority, and we’re proud of our excellent safety record here in Kissimmee. Our alligator tours are incredibly safe when conducted by licensed and experienced operators. Our certified captains undergo rigorous training and have years of experience navigating Central Florida’s waters and understanding alligator behavior. Each boat is equipped with state-of-the-art safety equipment, and we maintain strict safety protocols throughout every tour.
We begin each tour with a comprehensive safety briefing at our convenient Kissimmee location, ensuring all passengers understand the guidelines that keep our tours both exciting and secure. Our captains are also trained in first aid and emergency procedures, though we’ve rarely needed to use these skills thanks to our preventative safety measures.
2. Are Alligators Aggressive?
Contrary to popular belief, alligators are naturally wary of humans and typically avoid interaction. While they are powerful predators, they don’t actively hunt or chase humans. Our experienced Orlando-area captains maintain safe distances and know how to read alligator behavior, ensuring both your safety and the best viewing experience.
3. How Close Do We Get to the Alligators?
While exploring Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) in Kissimmee, we maintain responsible distances that respect both visitors and wildlife. Our experienced captains know exactly how close we can safely get for optimal viewing and photos while ensuring everyone’s safety. You’ll be close enough to observe natural behaviors and take excellent pictures, but at a distance that maintains both your safety and the alligators’ comfort.
Our boats are equipped with powerful spotlights for night tours and high-quality binoculars are available for guests who want an even closer look. Many guests are surprised by how visible and active the alligators are from our viewing distances!
4. How Fast Can Alligators Move?
Alligators can be surprisingly quick both in water and on land. In water they can swim up to 20 mph in short bursts. On land, they can reach speeds of 11 mph for short distances; however, they’re typically quite docile and prefer to conserve energy.
5. How Big Are the Alligators We’ll See?
Florida alligators typically range from 6 to 14 feet in length. Here on Lake Toho, we regularly spot impressive adults, with males potentially reaching 11-12 feet and females typically around 8-9 feet. Every tour is different, but you might see alligators of various sizes, from younger ones around 6 feet to some of our local “celebrities” that can exceed 11 feet!
6. What’s the Best Time to See Alligators?
Orlando’s climate provides excellent opportunities for alligator viewing year-round. While these fascinating creatures can be spotted throughout the day, certain times offer optimal viewing opportunities:
- Morning Tours (8 AM – 11 AM): Perfect for viewing alligators basking in the Florida sun. The cooler morning temperatures often bring alligators out to warm themselves on banks and logs. Many Orlando visitors prefer these tours before heading to the theme parks.
- Afternoon Tours (12 PM – 4 PM): Great for general wildlife viewing and seeing alligators swimming in the water. During warmer months, alligators may be more active in the water during these hours.
- Sunset Tours: Popular with Kissimmee visitors, offering spectacular photo opportunities and increased alligator activity.
- Night Tours: An exciting alternative to Orlando’s evening entertainment, where you can spot alligators by their glowing red eyes in the dark.
Central Florida’s seasonal changes affect alligator activity, with spring and summer months typically offering the most active viewing periods.
Alligator Airboat Tour Ride in the Florida Everglades
7. Will We Definitely See Alligators?
Lake Toho is one of Central Florida’s premier locations for alligator viewing. While wildlife viewing always involves some element of chance, our success rate for spotting alligators is exceptionally high. Our experienced captains know exactly where to find them in Kissimmee’s waters, carefully tracking alligator movements and behaviors to optimize each tour.
Even on rare occasions when alligators are less active, you’ll still enjoy a fascinating tour of Florida’s unique ecosystem and likely spot other exciting wildlife.
8. Do We Get to Feed the Alligators?
No, feeding alligators is strictly prohibited, and for good reason! While it might seem exciting, there are several important reasons why we don’t feed alligators during our tours:
- It’s illegal: Florida law prohibits feeding wild alligators. Violators can face serious fines and even jail time.
- Safety First: Feeding alligators can be extremely dangerous. When alligators associate humans with food, they lose their natural wariness and may become more aggressive in future encounters.
- Protecting Wildlife: When alligators learn to associate humans with food, it creates dangerous situations that often lead to the alligator being removed and possibly euthanized. By not feeding them, we’re actually protecting these magnificent creatures.
- Natural Behavior: Our tours focus on observing alligators in their natural state, hunting and feeding as they would without human interference. This provides a more authentic and educational experience.
- Environmental Impact: Feeding alligators can disrupt their natural feeding patterns and the local ecosystem’s balance.
Instead of feeding, we offer amazing opportunities to photograph and observe these prehistoric creatures engaging in their natural behaviors. Our experienced guides will help you spot alligators hunting, basking, and swimming in their natural habitat around Lake Toho, providing a much more authentic and educational experience.
9. What Do Alligators Eat in the Wild?
Alligators are opportunistic predators with fascinating eating habits. In Lake Toho, their natural diet includes:
– Fish
– Turtles
– Birds
– Small mammals
– Other aquatic prey
You might even get lucky and witness natural hunting behavior during your tour!
10. Why Do Alligators Sit There With Their Mouths Wide Open?
This is one of our most interesting frequently asked questions! When you see alligators basking with open mouths (or “gaping”), they’re actually:
– Regulating their body temperature
– Releasing excess heat
– Sometimes socializing with other alligators
It’s completely normal behavior and great for photos!
11. What Sounds Do Alligators Make?
During your tour, you might hear alligators:
– Hiss (when warning others)
– Bellow (a deep, loud roar during mating season)
– Snap their jaws (often during social interactions)
The mating season bellows can be quite impressive and are often heard across Lake Toho in spring!
12. How Long Do Alligators Live?
In the wild, alligators typically live between 30-50 years, though some can survive well into their 60s or 70s. The oldest documented wild alligator was estimated to be over 80 years old, showing just how resilient these prehistoric creatures can be. This means some of the larger alligators we see on Lake Toho could be older than many of our visitors!
13. Do Alligators Live in Groups?
While you might see multiple alligators in one area, especially during mating season (April-June), they’re generally solitary creatures. However, on our tours around Kissimmee, we often spot several alligators in popular basking areas, particularly during prime sunning hours.
14. Do Baby Alligators Stay with Their Mother?
Yes! Mother alligators are very protective and will care for their young for up to two years. During certain seasons, you might be lucky enough to spot a mother alligator with her babies on our tours. This is one of the most exciting sights for our Orlando visitors!
15. What’s the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?
This is especially relevant in Florida as we’re the only place in the world where both species naturally coexist! Key differences include:
– Alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts; crocodiles have longer, more V-shaped snouts
– Alligators are darker in color (blackish-gray); crocodiles are lighter (olive-brown)
– Alligators prefer freshwater (like Lake Toho); crocodiles prefer saltwater
– You’ll only see alligators on our tours as crocodiles aren’t found in the Orlando/Kissimmee area
Getting Here is Easy!
Our convenient Kissimmee location is just:
- 20 minutes from Disney World
- 30 minutes from Universal Studios
- 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport
- Easy access from all major Orlando hotels and resorts
Ready for Your Orlando Alligator Adventure?
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to witness Florida’s most famous residents in their natural habitat!
Our alligator tours offer a perfect blend of excitement, education, and natural beauty that you won’t find anywhere else in the Orlando area. Whether you’re staying in Orlando or Kissimmee, our location is easily accessible and provides a genuine Florida experience you’ll never forget.
Easy Ways to Book:
Book Online: Click here to reserve your tour
Call us: 407-572-2226
Visit: 4715 Kissimmee Park Road, Dock 1, Saint Cloud, Florida 34772
