Bobby G Explores Old FL

A Different Side of Florida: Airboating Through Lake Jesup

It had been more than 40 years since I’d been on an airboat. I was in my early teens the last time, somewhere around the Lone Cabbage area, and for whatever reason, I have been dying to do it again. Finally, the day came. Tiffany and I were going airboating, and I was like a kid again.

I had built this up in my head for so long, and I thought I knew exactly what the day would look like: get on an airboat, go fast, see some gators, take some cool pictures and have something fun to write about. Almost immediately after Captain Tim pushed us away from the dock at Black Hammock on Lake Jesup, I realized this was going to be so much more than I expected. This wasn’t just an airboat ride. This was Old Florida, and it’s practically in our backyard.

The first place Captain Tim took us was into a canal just off the lake. I really didn’t know what to expect, and almost immediately, I was seeing things I hadn’t expected to be part of an airboat ride. The canal was lined with huge cypress trees, including massive trees that storms had completely overturned. Their enormous root systems were exposed above the water, giving us a look at something you would normally never get a chance to see.

Captain Tim showed us there’s so much more to Lake Jesup than just spotting gators. Having someone who knows the lake, the wildlife and the history completely changes the experience.

All around them were cypress knees, those strange knobs rising from the root systems. Captain Tim explained how the cypress and its root system adapt as water levels rise and fall. It was quiet, wild and beautiful. I had come looking for gators, but suddenly I was paying attention to everything.

As we moved out of the canal, Captain Tim started pointing things out. Birds. Fish. Cypress trees. Lily pads. And finally: “Gator.” WHERE? You stare at the water. Then suddenly you see two eyes and the top of a head. There he is. And a second later, he’s gone.

Lake Jesup is known for its tremendous alligator population, and seeing them in their natural habitat is completely different from looking at one behind a fence. We spotted gators near the lily pads and along the shoreline. At one point, Captain Tim had us watching bubbles moving across the surface because a gator was traveling underwater. You suddenly realize how much is happening around you that you’d completely miss without someone who knows what to look for.

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And then there were the birds. We learned about the many species that call this area home at different times of the year, including roseate spoonbills and bald eagles. Captain Tim explained how dramatically the lake changes with the seasons. Spring brings more visible gators, nesting birds and an entirely different experience. His favorite thing about giving these tours? You see something different every time. I believe it.

Eventually, we crossed the open water, skimmed over lily pads and started traveling through marsh and vegetation in water only inches deep. If you grew up around boats, this goes against everything you were ever taught. See grass? Avoid it. Captain Tim? Straight through it. I loved every second.

At some point during all of this, I looked at Tiffany. “We HAVE to bring the kids here.” We hadn’t even finished our first trip, and we were already planning the second. Getting to experience the whole thing with Tiffany made it that much better. We laughed, took pictures, searched the shoreline for gators and just kept discovering something new.

People travel hundreds or thousands of miles to Florida looking for an experience exactly like this. We drove about an hour.

Black Hammock currently operates six boats, ranging from smaller boats that hold about six passengers to their largest, which can accommodate up to 20. But when you get back to the dock, the day doesn’t have to end.

There’s a restaurant, bar, wildlife area and event space. They host birthday parties, weddings, retirement celebrations, corporate outings and field trips. One of the event spaces can accommodate roughly 100 people. Friday nights feature live music. Saturdays bring DJs. They also have comedy nights and other events, and the sunsets alone are worth sticking around for.

There are even Airbnbs adjacent to the property associated with the owners if you want to turn the experience into an overnight adventure.

We even got to hold a baby alligator. Yes. I held a gator. Remember that.

Then it was time for lunch. Let’s recap my day. Saw gators. Tracked gator bubbles. Held a baby gator. Then I ordered blackened gator tacos. Listen, little buddy. It wasn’t personal. Man’s gotta eat.

And while we were sitting there, who did we run into? Our buddy Joe from New Smyrna Beach, who is now the restaurant’s general manager. Of course we do. Small world.

If you live in New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach or anywhere along the coast, this is worth the drive. If you’re in DeLand, Deltona, Orange City or West Volusia, it’s practically around the corner.

If friends or family are visiting Florida and asking the question we’ve all heard a hundred times, “What should we do?” I have a new answer.

I went into this expecting an airboat ride and a few alligators. Instead, Tiffany and I found a beautiful, wild piece of Florida that had been sitting close to home the entire time. I waited more than 40 years to get back on an airboat. I definitely won’t be waiting another 40 to do it again.

Bobby G, Out.

Black Hammock Adventures

2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Rd, Oviedo

(407) 365-1244 | theblackhammock.com