Airboat Rides Orlando

"Real Florida" experience with Airboat Rides near Orlando, lakeside bar, restaurant and marina. Home of our FAMOUS Gator Bites, Private Events, Catering, Venue Rental and more! Come visit our award-winning attraction!

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Staying Afloat At Black Hammock

10/7/2017

This September, Hurricane Irma ripped through the entire state of Florida; Trees down, many without power for days, the suffering went on for weeks. Now in the aftermath, the water recedes from the lawns of homes, parking lots and streets are driveable again, but a quiet monster crept up for days after in the St John’s River Waterway. Right here at Black Hammock in one day, between September 10th and September 11th, the water rose 2 feet; The next day, an additional foot. The water finally crested on September 24, 2017 at almost 6 feet higher than it was at the end of August.

As we speak, the Lazy Gator bar and our Gift Shop are under water. There is water nearly halfway up the parking lot. Our peninsula has completely disappeared, leaving only the lone roof of our gorgeous gazebo, floating above the water like an island in the middle of the lake. Black Hammock lives on!

Our Lazy Gator Bar has set up shop at the restaurant. We have outdoor seating in the parking lot, tables chairs, umbrellas, music. We brought the jukebox up so you can continue to play your favorite tunes. Our lovely bartenders have been slinging drinks from the restaurant bar. We have nightly specials and everyone’s favorite all day every day 2-4-1 margaritas.

Our Gift Shop is back in the restaurant! They have all your favorite t-shirts, books, snacks, and souvenirs. Most importantly, they have your airboat ride tickets. Our tours still leave every 30 minutes around Lake Jesup and Bird Island. We’ve even just introduced a new ride. Try our Survivor Ride with included restaurant lunch! Yum!

Hurricane Irma has not been easy on businesses like ours. There are dozens of other companies along the St. John’s River Waterway that were forced to shut its doors during this time. We are so thankful for each and every one of our guests that have supported us daily since the storm. We are only able to keep our doors open because of you. Make sure to follow us on facebook for information on our Grand ReOpening, once the water recedes. Until then, we’ll be staying afloat at Black Hammock.

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Remembering D-day, 73 years later

We thank and recognize all of the brave men and women who fought for France’s freedom at the Battle of Normandy.

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5 Reasons to Choose the Black Hammock

Stadium Seating Airboats

Our state-of-the-arc airboats are US Coast Guard approved and piloted by our master captains. Unlike many airboats, they feature stadium seating to provide you with the best view of Florida’s nature and wildlife possible! We have a variety of different sizes of airboats and can accommodate groups large and small.

Over 10,000 Alligators

The state of Florida may call it Lake Jesup, but we call it “Alligator Sea.” The most alligator-populated lake in all of Florida, Lake Jesup is the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of these creatures in the wild, along with turtles and a wide variety of bird species including the majestic bald eagle. Your airboat ticket will allow you to purchase a $12 “I survived alligator sea!” t-shirt after your ride!

Live Animal Exhibits & Feeding

No one can guarantee wildlife sightings, but at The Black Hammock you never have to worry about that! We maintain 2 alligator exhibits as well as several bird habitats so that you always get an up close look during your visits. Alligator and bird food are available for purchase in our gift shop. Lastly, don’t forget about our baby alligators Firecracker and Max which are available for holding!

10% off at the Black Hammock Restaurant

Every airboat ticket purchased comes with a 10% off coupon to use at the Black Hammock Restaurant. Our Florida-themed menu features several choices of alligator meat including a gator burger, gator tail bites and gator tacos!

2-4-1 Margaritas

Need we say more? Enjoy 2-4-1 margaritas all day, all night at the Black Hammock Restaurant and Lazy Gator Bar – these refreshing sips of heaven will ease you into the #LazyGator way of life. Enjoy them with your meal, at our lakeside terrace or during our live entertainment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Dine With Us! - Exclusive Coupon!

Dine with us for less this weekend using our 10% Off coupon at the Black Hammock Restaurant ! Please print this coupon and bring it with you.

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Lake Jesup

Lake Jesup is one of the largest lakes in Central Florida, one of many that make up the St. Johns River. Located in the heart of Seminole County along the middle basin of the St. Johns, the lake encompasses an area of approximately 16,000 acres (65 km²), including open water and floodplain. The lake boasts one of the longest free-standing bridges, part of the Seminole Expressway, which bisects the lake. It is named in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Jesup, an American military officer who served in the Second Seminole War.

The lake is home to a wide variety of species and is considered to support one of the state’s densest populations of alligators. Drivers on the bridge across the lake are likely to see eagles (osprey and bald eagles) perched on the light posts watching for fish.

During the 1960s, the toll of decades of abuse and neglect was very apparent. Wastewater discharged directly into the lake, stormwater discharges from surrounding communities, the construction of berms that segregated the lake from parts of its floodplain, and a causeway that reduced the lake’s connection with the St. Johns River all took their toll on the ecosystem. The discharges resulted in significant algal growth, fish kills, and a thick layer of muck more than 9½ feet deep in some areas sitting on the bottom of the lake that now averages only six feet in depth. The berm construction aggravated this problem by limiting the lake’s ability to cleanse itself.

During the 1990s studies were conducted of water circulation patterns, storm-water runoff into the lake, the impacts of the State Road 46 bridge, sediments within the lake, and land management plans for adjacent public properties. With this data in hand, The Friends of Lake Jesup and the St. Johns River Water Management District staff worked closely with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to develop a plan for restoring the lake.

The Friends and the District staff, working closely with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, began to determine the most environmentally sound and economically feasible methods of restoring the lake.

Since that time the water district brought about 3,850 acres (15.6 km2) around the lake into public ownership and has plans for acquiring an additional 4,700 acres (19 km2) of floodplain around the lake as part of the restoration process and to ensure the health of the lake into the future.

In the spring of 1996 a 2-mile (3.2 km) berm on the north side of the lake was removed, reuniting 300 acres (1.2 km2) of floodplain with the lake to act as a natural filter. The removal of this berm also increases the lake’s flood buffering capacity as well as provides habitat to a wide variety of life.

In January 2008 the Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Transportation, and others contracted to have the State Road 46 bridge rebuilt. The re-opening of channel B and the removal of about a mile of causeway was designed to improve the flow of the St. Johns River into and out of the lake. Several other projects were also undertaken to improve the quality of the lake. The Friends of Lake Jesup was active in monitoring these projects and in bringing new areas of concern into focus. There are small businesses that operate lakeside restaurants, fish camps, and airboat tours in the vicinity of the lake.

The Black Hammock is proud to be located along the shores of Lake Jesup. We enjoy exhilarating airboat rides, pontoon tours, a close-up look at Florida’s wildlife, and breath-taking views of the natural Florida landscape! Explore Florida with us!

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Origins of Oviedo, Florida

In the late 1870s, individuals living a couple miles south of Lake Jesup needed an easily accessible post office in the Florida back country. Andrew Aulin, an early settler and shop-owner, decided to file paperwork for a post office; in his first site location report he needed a unique name, one that no other post office in Florida had. Aulin liked having a Spanish name, “to go with the Spanish name of the state,” and decided to name his post office location Oviedo after the city of Oviedo in northern Spain and the University of Oviedo. Some say he visited the University, others say he just liked the sound, most agree he likely pronounced it “Oh-vee-Ay-Doh” rather than the Americanized way of “Oh-VEE-doh.”

Today, the City is governed by a Council/City Manager form of government. The City Manager receives policy direction from a five-member elected City Council, each of whom serves a two-year term. The current Council includes Honorable Mayor Dominic Persampiere, Councilman Steve Henken, Councilman Stephen Schenck, Councilman Keith Britton and Councilwoman Cindy Drago. Council Meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30PM in the Oviedo City Council Chambers. City Council meetings are broadcast live on SGTV, channel 199 on the Bright House cable network in Seminole County.  City Manager Bryan Cobb oversees the day to day management of the City and its departments, Administration, Management Services, Development Services, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Police, Public Works, and Recreation and Parks. The City has three fire stations and a potable water treatment facility and a wastewater treatment facility.

Oviedo is currently in a growth spurt. On the north side of Mitchell Hammock Road, east of State Road 434 and bordered by the Kingsbridge West subdivision to the east, the City of Oviedo is expanding its downtown on approximately 50 acres. Street and utility systems for Oviedo on the Park are currently under construction. The new mixed use development will feature a residential component of single-family houses, town homes and apartments, a commercial business district and retail establishments.

The Black Hammock is a part of Oviedo’s history! Located on Lake Jesup (the most alligator-infested lake in all of Florida), the Black Hammock provides locals and visitors with airboat rides, pontoon tours, live music, a place to hold private events, a full service restaurant with some great gator tail, and multiple lake-side bars areas!

If you’re visiting Oviedo, The Black Hammock is a must-see!… and you locals come on back too!

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Pontoon Parties!

For those of you who haven’t made it out to the Black Hammock recently – we have added a Pontoon to our fleet!

Not only do we offer 1 hour cruises along Lake Jesup and historic bird island each Saturday and Sunday at 6PM, but we also offer the ability to reserve our Pontoon for your private party!

You and up to 24 of your closest friends, family or coworkers, can have a private ride around Lake Jesup. Our captain can narrate your journey, or simply be there to point out the wildlife and scenery. Enjoy adult beverages from the Black Hammock Lazy Gator Bar, and even live entertainment (or pre-programmed) during the duration of your event.

Our Pontoon Parties are a unique and exciting opportunity for those in the Oviedo, Orlando, or surrounding communities, to host a one-of-a-kind party! Wow your guest with this exciting way to experience Florida in a truly fun way!

For more information, call our office at 407.365.1244 x105 or email [email protected].

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Pontoon Parties For All!

For those of you who haven’t made it out to the Black Hammock recently – we have added a Pontoon to our fleet!

Not only do we offer 1 hour cruises along Lake Jesup and historic bird island each Saturday and Sunday at 6PM, but we also offer the ability to reserve our Pontoon for your private party!

You and up to 24 of your closest friends, family or coworkers, can have a private ride around Lake Jesup. Our captain can narrate your journey, or simply be there to point out the wildlife and scenery. Enjoy adult beverages from the Black Hammock Lazy Gator Bar, and even live entertainment (or pre-programmed) during the duration of your event.

Our Pontoon Parties are a unique and exciting opportunity for those in the Oviedo, Orlando, or surrounding communities, to host a one-of-a-kind party! Wow your guest with this exciting way to experience Florida in a truly fun way!

  For more information, call our office at 407.365.1244 x105 or email [email protected].

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Origin of the Airboat

The first airboat, called the Ugly Duckling, was built in 1905 in Canada by a team led by Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. It was used to test various engines and prop configurations. An associate of Dr. Bell, Glenn Curtiss (of airplane manufacturing fame) is reported to have registered the first air boat in Florida in 1920. It was called the Curtis Scooter and it had a closed cockpit design.

A story in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of Airboating Magazine that showed an air boat called a Free Bottom Craft that was built in the mid to late 1920s, using a wood hull, a Curtiss aircraft engine and was on exhibit at a New York boat show. The airboat was built by Charles Post and Herbert Ballantine in Huntington, NY and tested on the Long Island’s Hewlett Bay.

By the 1930s homemade airboats and airboat rides began appearing in the swamps and marshes of Florida and Louisiana. One company in Florida claims to have been providing airboat rides as entertainment since the mid 1930s. Over the years a variety of designs were tried and through trial-and-error, the standard design used today arose: an open, flat bottom boat with an engine mounted on the back, the driver sitting in an elevated position, and a cage to protect the propeller from objects flying into them. One well documented case of a homemade design (though not the first) was an airboat built by staff at the Bear River Bird Refugee near Brigham City, Utah in the 1940s. It appears to have involved collaborative efforts by three employees of the refuge – Leo Young, G. Hortin Jensen and Cecil Williams.

A story in Ducks Unlimited magazine in 1987 mentioned Young and Jensen and dated the building of the first boat in 1950. Refuge records, however, show the first boat came into use in 1943, with several photos of running airboats dated 1947. Prior to the introduction of the airboat, refuge biologists had to either walk through shallow water and deep, sticky mud or push unpowered flat-bottom boats with long poles (I’m sure that was tons of fun). Staff had experimented with a boat called the “Mud Queen,” which had small paddle wheels on either side that pushed the boat. They built their first airboat nicknamed “Alligator I” from a flat-bottom boat pushed along by an aircraft engine purchased for $99.50! Young reported that he called the first airboat an “air-thrust boat.” Once word got out about the boat, Leo Young built and sold boats all over the world.

   Black Hammock Airboat Rides boasts five airboats in our fleet.  Our airboats are U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified.  Our airboat ride captains are all licensed master captains.  At Black Hammock you can witness the state of the art version of what Dr. Alexander Graham Bell set out to accomplish while taking an airboat ride on the most alligator populated lake in all of Florida!

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Airboat Rides on Lake Jesup near Orlando

If you want to see alligators, Lake Jesup is the place to be!  Take an Airboat Ride on Lake Jesup – A large, shallow water body in Seminole County.  Lake Jesup and its floodplain extend over approximately 16,000 acres. Over 100,000 years old, the lake itself covers about 10,000 acres. When taking an Airboat Ride at Black Hammock you will see that besides the very large population of alligators, Lake Jesup is also home to many eagles, ospreys, wading birds, bobcats and more!

More than 10,000 strong, Lake Jesup has Florida’s highest population of the ancient crocodilians. In fact, no other lake in North America claims more gators per acre. The best time to take an Airboat Ride is between March and May which is alligator mating season!  Where there are alligators present, you’ll sometimes find bird rookeries, because the birds know that gators keep predator populations in check. Our airboat rides will take you a thrilling tour of Lake Jesup where you will circle Bird Island.  Bird Island, a small island in the interior of Jesup is a significant wading bird rookery.  Our airboats are U.S. Coast Guard inspected and driven by licensed Master Captains.  The best airboat rides in Central Florida!  No reservation required for the 30 minute airboat ride and just a stone’s throw away from Orlando’s busiest attractions.  Take an airboat ride with us today!

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"Real Florida" Airboat Ride Adventure!

Your local award-winning attraction has a lot of amenities like nowhere else!  Black Hammock’s Airboat Rides take place on Lake Jesup, known for hosting the largest alligator population in the entire state of Florida!  As your airboat glides along the banks of Lake Jesup, you will also be able to see many different types of birds such as Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher and other Florida Wildlife. Turtles are abundant along the lake and they often sunbathe along the shorelines. Occasionally, a few curious rabbits may wander out of their holes and hop around the banks; they are a sheer delight to watch.

At Black Hammock Airboat Rides, hunting for gators will give you an adventure (and pictures) you will never forget! After your airboat ride, relax on outdoor terrace and have a cold drink at the Lazy Gator Bar or enjoy the  casual dining at the Black Hammock Restaurant featuring gourmet cuisine by Executive Chef Barth. Every weekend you can enjoy Orlando Florida nightlife with live music at the Lazy Gator Bar.

When you visit us, be sure to take some pictures at the gator displays before you leave!  You can even have your pictures taken holding a live baby alligator at the Gift Shop. That will give you something to talk about!  If you are looking to get off the beaten path, then Black Hammock Adventures is the place to be!

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Black Hammock Anniversary Celebration

Buy (3) 30 Minute Airboat Rides, Get (1) Free! Printed coupon required. Celebrate Black Hammock’s 16 year Anniversary!  Locals, friends and future friends of the Black Hammock are invited to have a beer with us for our 16 Year Anniversary Party at the Lazy Gator Bar! Live Music with Sleep Until Noon from 9PM – 1AM

The Black Hammock is an award winning attraction like nowhere else! No entry fee and includes a Lakeview Bar with LIVE MUSIC every weekend, Airboat Rides, Full Service Restaurant featuring Chef Barth, Free Wildlife Exhibit and more!  Just a stone’s throw away from Orlando’s busiest attractions and home of the BEST fried gator tail in town.

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Unforgettable Black Hammock Airboat Rides

Airboat Rides are a popular way to explore Florida’s Natural Habitat.  Black Hammock airboat rides take place on Lake Jesup. Lake Jesup boasts the largest alligator population in the entire state of Florida.  And guess what?  Lake Jesup averages to about only six feet deep!  There are an estimated 10,000 or more alligators in Lake Jesup.  When you take an airboat ride, keep alert even before you board the boat.  Often times you will see alligators basking on the shores of the Black Hammock peninsula.  See an odd break in the water up ahead?  That is most likely an alligator swimming about.

Black Hammock airboat rides also includes a tour of Bird Island.  According to the Seminole Audubon Society, Bird Island is Seminole County’s Largest and Singular Wading Bird Colony.  Birds such as Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, American anhinga, Double-crested Cormorants and more can be seen here as well as back on the Black Hammock peninsula.  There are also Osprey nests around the property.  Look up!  You may often see an Osprey holding a fish in it’s talons as they fly by!

Airboat Ride not enough?  You can get up close and personal with the alligators and even hold a baby alligator which would make for an unforgettable photo opportunity; especially for the children or friends visiting from out of state.

The Black Hammock is an award-winning attraction that includes a Free Wildlife Exhibit, Lakeside Bar with Live Music every weekend, Airboat Rides on the most alligator populated lake in all of Florida, Full Service Restaurant, Gift Shop and more! Just a stone’s throw away from Orlando’s busiest attractions.

Our Restaurant features our NEW Executive Chef Barth, who has worked as the Executive Chef at the French Pavilion in Epcot, Walt Disney World for 13 years working with world famous Chef Paul Bocuse. He has served as a Chef Instructor, Lead Chef Instructor, and Culinary Department Chair for the very prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Orlando for over 11 years.

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Airboat Rides: The Best Type of Eco Tour

You may wonder why we use airboats for our nature tours?  What are the advantages of using an airboat anyway? Believe it or not, airboats are the only safe way to venture into the watery world of swamps, marshes & river deltas.

Airboats are safe – both for the local wildlife and plant life, and for the guests on board. All of our airboats are U.S. Coast Guard approved and driven by licensed Master Captains.  Airboats provide for a stable platform which is much more safe than jon boats, inflatables, canoes or kayaks. Without any moving parts below the waterline, airboats are safe for the aquatic habitat. Vegetation does not get damaged or uprooted by the propeller, and should there ever be a collision with an animal – e.g. a manatee or alligator – the animal will not get injured by a water propeller. In fact, in case of a collision, the air boat will simply glide over the obstacle without causing nearly as much injury as a regular boat with a propeller would.

Of course the responsibility always remains with the Captain – no reckless speeding!

In shallow waters, water-propeller driven vessels get frequently entangled. Though it is possible to lift an outboard engine and pick out bits and pieces of vegetation as it gets entangled. This however causes severe damage to the aquatic plants.

Conventional boats increase turbidity by causing soil and organic particles to become suspended in the water column. Turbidity increases with water traffic and during periods of low water levels. It affects the amount of light available to underwater plants, and may affect fish and aquatic wildlife. In addition to increasing turbidity, excessive use of water propellers may redirect natural water currents. In marshes, channels created by conventional boats effectively alter the surface hydrology: sheet flow becomes channel flow; the severity of the channelization is related to the number of passes.

Advantages offered by airboats are numerous:

Airboats have no moving parts below the water line:  Only minimal impact to the aquatic environment

Airboats have a closed water cooling circuit – like a car.  No chemicals are being discharged into the water.

No slipway or launching ramp required.

Helpless in the bush?  Only one person is enough to launch and dock an airboat.

No matter how much water – or no water at all – an airboat can go anywhere!

An airboat can cross over sandbanks, floating grass islands and dam walls.

Hidden rocks can be overcome easily

Dense aquatic vegetation is no obstacle.

An airboat is stable – passengers can move about without risk to tipping the boat over or fall in the water.

Airboats can provide excellent visibility thanks to high seating.

Airboats can be very fast – to simply cover distance quickly, or get away from danger. No drifting off into the pod of unhappy gators…

Airboats’ versatility as all terrain vehicles, combined with their feature of providing a stable working platform, make air boats an ideal solution for wetland conservation and ecotourism fun!  Black Hammock Adventures  is located on Lake Jesup known for the LARGEST alligator population in FL. Home of of the BEST Gator tail in town! Attraction includes a Lakeview Bar, Airboat Rides, restaurant, Free Wildlife Exhibit, Live Music every weekend and more!

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Today's Special: Catfish medallions topped with rendered Bacon served over green bean hash and roasted red pepper coulis for just $9.99! #blackhammock #yum (at Black Hammock Restaurant)

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Today is the LAST DAY to buy New years Eve tickets online! But the now at HTTP://bubba.brownpapertickets.com tickets are selling fast!! #nye #realradio #blackhammock