Alligator swimming in Florida's Upper Myakka Lake

Florida is well-known as being one of the best places in the world for catching a glimpse of an alligator in the wild. In fact, Florida and Louisiana are home to the largest population of American alligators. According to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries department, more than a million reside in each state!

Alligators are widespread throughout the state of Florida. Numerous locations are hotspots for alligators, especially the famous Everglades (located in Southern Florida). However, various other parks in Florida are also home to large alligator populations. In fact, at any given park or nature preserve, you must be aware of potential gators. Always view from afar and do not let pets or children anywhere near the water! Please review these alligator safety tips before visiting any park.

Best time to see a gator

Gators prefer warm conditions, so planning a trip during the insanely hot Florida summer season is probably not your best chance for multiple sightings. In the cooler winter months, you can find them all over the place. However, they do have to come out of the water to breathe, so occasional summer sightings are still possible. Just don’t expect to see hundreds. Your best chance of seeing a gator during the summer months is to by taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide who know where to find them.

Gator Gal airboat ride at Myakka River State Park - Sarasota, Florida
The now retired Gator Gal, once “the world’s largest airboat”

Myakka River State Park – a gator hotspot

Up close view of an alligator at Myakka River State Park - Sarasota, Florida

At one point, Myakka River State Park in Sarasota offered year round airboat tours on their famous Gator Gal boat. This was the largest airboat in the world. Unfortunately, pontoon boats have now replaced the famous airboat rides. Regardless, this tour is still your best chance for seeing a gator up close. This is actually the safest way to see an alligator, rather than walking near the edge of water on a trail. During the 1 hour narrated rides, you will be given a detailed history lesson about alligators. As a bonus, the views of Upper Myakka Lake are quite relaxing.

Check out these gorgeous views of the Upper Myakka Lake

Pretty views along the Gator Gal airboat ride at Myakka River State park
Beautiful views of the Upper Myakka Lake - taken on Gator Gal airboat ride
Beautiful views of the Upper Myakka Lake - on the Gator Gal airboat ride
Pretty views of the Upper Myakka Lake on a cloudy day - taken from the Gator Gal airboat ride
A cloudy day on Upper Myakka Lake - taken from the Gator Gal airboat ride
The Upper Myakka Lake is gorgeous on a cloudy day - taken from the Gator Gal airboat ride
Beautiful scenery along the Upper Myakka Lake - taken from the Gator Gal airboat ride

Depending on what time of the year you decide to visit, you could see just one gator or many! During the winter months you will likely see dozens swimming or sitting outside sunning. Because our visit fell during one of the hottest months of the year, we weren’t expecting to see many gators. Sightings are not guaranteed, so unfortunately visiting during the summer does not have a bright outlook. We would have been happy to have just seen one as we have never seen one in the wild.

Fortunately, we saw about 6 during our hour journey. Your tour guide will try to get up as close as possible to give everyone in the boat a good view. Unfortunately, the gators tend to disappear as soon as the boat starts moving. You have to be really quick with your camera, or better yet, take the picture from afar with a high zoom lens.

Summer gator sightings

Alligator at Myakka River State Park
Alligator at Myakka River State Park
Alligator at Myakka River State Park

Although most of the trip we were pretty far away when a sighting occurred, we were able to capture a few decent photos. Alligators duck under the water pretty fast when they see you coming, so getting a quality photo with such few sightings was a difficult task.  In the winter months with more active gators, you should have more opportunities to get a better shot.

Overall, the cruise was wonderful with beautiful views and ample gator sightings. Also, we enjoyed listening to the unique facts and stories shared by our tour guide. The admission price is worth it for the spectacular views of the lake alone.

*While waiting for your cruise, be sure to take the short dirt trail leading to a scenic overlook of the lake. Not only is it an excellent location for lake photography, but you may get lucky and see an alligator. Alligators are known to hang around this area and sightings are frequent. We saw several gators swimming and one half way out of the water. The trail is located just across from the ticket booth (ask someone if you aren’t sure where to go).

A cloudy reflection on the lake - Myakka River State Park near Sarasota, Florida
Beautiful views at Myakka River State Park - near Sarasota, Florida
Alligator sighting at Myakka River State Park - Sarasota, Florida

Fun Gator Facts

*The oldest alligator is 85 and lives at the Belgrade Zoo in Serbia.

*There are 2 types of alligator: American and Chinese alligators. Chinese alligators are endangered due to the pollution in the water.

*More than 1.3 million gators live in Florida.

*American alligators are more than 150 million years old.

*Alligators are carnivores. They will eat a human, but only if no other food source is available. Watch your pets. Never let your dog too close to the water.

*American alligators reside only in Southeastern states.

*They can range from 10-15 feet (up to 10 feet for females) and weigh up to 1000 lbs. The heaviest gator caught in the state of Florida.

*Myakka River State Park is home to 5000-6000 gators.

*American alligators can live up to approximately 50 years in the wild.

*Swamps and wetlands are gator’s preferred home, although they can be found in any body of water.

*American Alligators prefer warm weather and warm water, which is why you see them more during Florida’s winter season. Summer is too hot.

You will learn these facts and many more during the duration of your cruise!

Tips

*Get to Myakka early. Reservations not accepted and lines fill up very quickly. Get here as early as possible in case your 1st preferred tour is sold out. For info on tour times, visit the Florida state Parks website.

*Plan a winter visit for the best chance of seeing lots of gators.

*Bring with a camera, preferably one with a good zoom lens.

*Pick up a Sarasota coupon booklet (located in various stands throughout town) to save a few bucks off your cruise.

*Plan a picnic before/after your cruise. Myakka is a beautiful state park with plenty of scenic areas to picnic. What’s better than lunch surrounded by gorgeous views?

*There are plenty of other great activities at Myakka. I recommend the canopy walk and observation tour, the 6+ mile paved bike path/scenic drive, and a walk along bird walk and the nature trail. You will receive a map and detailed information booklets from the parking attendant.

Treetop canopy walk at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, Florida
The famous Treetop Canopy Walk

Location & Pricing

Myakka River State Park is located at 13208 State Road 72 in Sarasota, Florida. Parking is $6 per vehicle (2-8 people) and $4 for single riders. The pontoon cruise is $22 per adult and $12 for children ages 3-12. Tours run 7 days a week from 9-5.