By: Ashley Vaccarino
Take a walk on the wild side in Greater Miami & Miami Beach
Miami offers plenty of incredible wildlife attractions guaranteed to entertain the whole family.
Glide across the Everglades on an airboat tour
Alligators & Airboats
Near the main entrance of Everglades National Park, you’ll find Everglades Alligator Farm, home to a 14-foot alligator named “Grandpa” and upward of 2,000 of his alligator friends. Aside from seeing more alligators than you can count, visitors can glide through the Everglades on guided airboat tours, watch hourly snake and wildlife shows and view alligator feedings. Plus, there are plenty of fantastic vacation photo opportunities with baby alligators and snakes.
If you're looking for a private airboat tour, then Everglades Safari Park is for you. Alligators, turtles, deer, wild hogs, raccoons and crocodiles can be found at this Miami wildlife attraction. You can travel the Jungle Trail, watch the alligator show and take in the Everglades in all its glory from the observation platform.
Observe primates running free at Monkey Jungle
Monkeys & Orangutans
In South Miami-Dade you'll find Monkey Jungle, where 30 species of primates, including gibbons, guenons and spider monkeys live freely on a 30-acre reserve. Spending a day in this jungle “Where Humans Are Caged & Monkeys Run Wild” guarantees great ape sightings, wild monkey swimming presentations, orangutan training sessions and constant entertainment by crab-eating java monkeys diving for their meals. Monkey Jungle also offers Rainforest Adventure Tours in the only semi-natural rainforest in North America.
Experience wildlife up close at Miami Seaquarium
Marine Life
The Miami Seaquarium, located on Biscayne Bay near Key Biscayne, is the longest- operating oceanarium in the United States. Meet Miami marine-life stars Salty the sea lion, Flipper the dolphin and Calypso the dolphin during their eight daily animal shows. The Miami Seaquarium is also home to sea turtles, manatees, stingrays, tropical birds and other wildlife. The tropical fish aquariums, the shark channel, Salty’s Pirate Playground and Sharky’s Sky Trail are not to be missed.
Become one with marine animals through personal interaction programs at Dolphin Harbor at Miami Seaquarium. Give training signals, shake hands and kiss a friendly dolphin during the Dolphin Encounter. Jump in for the Dolphin Odyssey where you will also feed, swim with the dolphin and get a dorsal pull ride. Immerse yourself in the Reef Encounter, an underwater walking journey through the 300,000-gallon tropical reef filled with sea turtles, sting rays, tropical fish and other sea creatures. The Seal Swim attraction allows you to train, swim with, hug and kiss your adorable new seal friend. New this year, guests can come face-to-fin with southern stingrays and nurse sharks in a natural mangrove forest. Prefer variety? Go for the VIP Tour where a guide will introduce you to an iguana, macaw, manatee, stingray, sea turtles, and even a sea lion or dolphin.
Visit native and exotic wildlife at Zoo Miami
Zoo Life
At Zoo Miami, visit 2,000 mammals, fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles along three miles of walkway. Majestic animals here include tigers, elephants, zebras, bears, lions, gorillas and chimpanzees. Feed flamingos, pelicans, giraffes and rhinos. Catch the Cheetah Training Session and the Meet the Zookeeper talks. For your own little “animals,” hit the Wacky Barn, Wildlife Carousel, Humpy’s Camel Rides, playgrounds and water-play areas. Experience Florida: Mission Everglades, featuring an in-depth look at iconic wildlife, conservation efforts and interactive exhibits. To tackle it all in one day, rent a Safari Cycle and bike through or hop on the Safari Tram Tour or Monorail.