USA · WILDLIFE

Best Wildlife Trips in the USA: 15 Worth Booking

34 tours  ·  from $34

The good wildlife trips fill weeks ahead and the best ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.

From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show & Bus Transfer - The 45-minute airboat ride
Airboat Tours, Everglades Tours, Florida Tours, Show, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in the Everglades

From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show & Bus Transfer

1.From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show & Bus Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 8,622 reviews · 5 hours · from $49Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Miami to Everglades Holiday Park, then ride an airboat with an expert captain such as Kyle, Jose, or German. Look for alligators, turtles, birds, and vultures before an alligator show and free group photo. Bus commentary is available in English or Spanish, but the Everglades portion is in English only.

“Everything was great. It was just the time that was a bit short. One more hour would have been enough for everyone to take a picture with the baby alligator without being rushed by the guide to hurry, as well as eating something outside instead of gobbling our sandwiches in a rush in the bus on the way back.”

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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching - Auke Bay and the two-hour search for whales
Alaska Tours, Juneau Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Juneau, Wildlife

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,379 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177Top rated

Cruise from Juneau to Auke Bay for about two hours of whale watching aboard a boat with heated cabins, outdoor decks, snacks, and bottled water. Naturalists such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate explain whale behavior and local wildlife. Round-trip pickup from the cruise terminal keeps this shore excursion simple.

“What’s a whale watching adventure after the whales migrate out of the area? It’s a little boat ride out. It’s a little boat ride back. Fortunately for us, it was a beautiful day. And the crew was delightful.”

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Miami: Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show - The wildlife show adds the human story
Airboat Tours, Everglades Tours, Florida Tours, National Parks, Show, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in the Everglades

Miami: Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show

3.Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,296 reviews · 1 day · from $42

At Gator Park, you’ll take a 35 to 40 minute narrated airboat ride through Everglades National Park, followed by a 30 minute alligator and wildlife show. Guides such as Cody, John, Tom, and Jay are known for mixing facts with humor. Allow about two hours, plus park admission and transport.

“It was fun and very informative. Cody did an amazing job and knew answers to all the questions. Great for all ages.”

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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier - From the glacier to Juneau’s whale waters
Alaska Tours, Glacier Tours, Juneau Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Juneau, Wildlife

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

4.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249

Travel from Juneau’s cruise terminal to Mendenhall Glacier for about 45 minutes, then board a warm, wildlife-viewing boat with large windows and an outdoor deck. Guides such as Captain Michelle, Nate, Taylor, and Leon add local insight. A whale sighting is guaranteed, but close views depend on nature and sea conditions.

“Worth it! Greg took us to the glacier first where we had about 45 minutes to explore. Not enough time to get to Nugget falls but you could view it from the areas we were at. Seeing the glacier in person, it was easy to forget this was only part of the tour. Up next, the whale watch. The boat was very nice, clean, comfortable and easy to maneuver on. And they gave us snacks! We were taken out into the ocean to look for whales. Ashley was very informative and knew a lot about what we were seeing with a lot of stories about each of them individually. We…”

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Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage - The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Alaska Tours, Anchorage Tours, Glacier Tours, Glacier Tours in Anchorage, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

5.Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,004 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $199

Spend about six hours touring Alaska’s coast, forests, glaciers, and wildlife sites from Anchorage. You’ll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, stop at Beluga Point and Bird Point, learn local history, and receive practical phone photography tips. Guides such as Holly, Hunter, Patrick, Aaron, and Philip lead the route. A Portage Glacier cruise is optional in summer.

“Tour guide, Patrick, professional photographer but super helpful & easy with all on trip. He did a quick photo tips talk & had us practice. He kept everyone on schedule & made sure we all had a good time despite some fairly continuous rain. Patrick had a very informative commentary. He got us into a parks theater presentation which was pretty cool when the glacier viewing boat portion was cancelled due to high winds & rain. The animal conservation center was quite interesting & most Alaskan animals were easy to see & photograph.”

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Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West - Reaching the shark site four miles offshore
Florida Tours, Key West Tours, Shark Encounters, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

6.Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,962 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Board the 34-foot Tiger Cat at Pier B behind the Westin and cruise through mangroves toward a shark-viewing site four miles offshore. Guides including Clay, Matt, and Tanner explain the Keys ecosystem while bait brings lemon, nurse, and other sharks beside the boat. Dolphins, turtles, stingrays, birds, drinks, snacks, shade, and a restroom round out the two-hour trip.

“We all had a great time!!! Definitely saw sharks and learned a lot about them too! Highly recommend!”

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Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour - Alligators, birds, sharks, and the occasional crocodile
Cruises & Boat Tours, Crystal River Tours, Florida Tours, Manatee Encounters, Sightseeing Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour

7.Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,590 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

From Port of the Islands Marina, you spend about 90 minutes on a covered boat among canals, mangroves, and waterfront bays. Captains such as Paul, Becky, Chris, Andi, and Glen explain the ecosystem while you look for manatees, alligators, birds, sharks, and the occasional crocodile. Boats hold up to six people.

“Captain Storm was fantastic. He gave us a lot of information and we saw many manatee and a few alligators. It was a wonderful morning.”

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Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus From Miami - The alligator and wildlife show
Airboat Tours, Everglades Tours, Florida Tours, Show, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in the Everglades

Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus From Miami

8.Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus From Miami

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,886 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $49

Travel by air-conditioned motorcoach from Miami to Everglades Holiday Park, then ride an airboat through the wetlands and watch an alligator and wildlife show. Guides such as Ronet Blanc, Raphael Acosta, Captain Zack, and German have earned praise for clear facts and good organization. The tour runs about four hours, though traffic can stretch the day.

“Nice but very touristy, this wasn’t what we expected. If you want to visit the real Everglades national park I think this is not your best choice”

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Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter - The 30 to 40 minute airboat ride
Airboat Tours, Everglades Tours, Florida Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in the Everglades

Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter

9.Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,791 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $33Best value

Travel from Fort Lauderdale to Sawgrass Recreation Park for a 30 to 40 minute guided airboat ride through the Everglades, followed by alligator and reptile exhibits. Captains such as Andrew, Ron, and Jimmy explain the ecosystem while you look for alligators, birds, turtles, and fish. The $33.12 ticket includes about two hours at the park.

“We literally paid for a boat ride, saw 4 birds and that was it. Absolutely no alligators!! The worst part is our guide didn’t even address the lack of alligators. Obviously, we know that he cannot control what the alligators do, but what upset us was that he didn’t even set expectations or address the issue!! But he made sure to request a tip. It was a complete waste of money and a total let down!”

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Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise - The long run toward Kenai Fjords National Park
Alaska Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Glacier Tours, National Parks, Seward & Kenai Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

10.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,756 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $265

Sail about 100 miles from Seward through Resurrection Bay and into Kenai Fjords National Park. Captain Lara and the naturalist team guide you toward Holgate or Aialik Glacier, Chiswell Islands, and Cape Resurrection, with binoculars, reserved heated seating, lunch, and wildlife spotting along the way.

“Amazing experience, very knowledgeable captain and crew. Had an excellent time! Definitely recommend to see wildlife and a glacier in Seward.”

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From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour - Old Faithful and the Old Faithful Inn
Tour Reviews, Tours, Waterfall Tours, Wildlife, Wyoming Tours, Yellowstone Tours

From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour

11.From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,557 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $329

Travel from Jackson or Teton Village through Grand Teton and Yellowstone with a naturalist guide, watching for bison, bears, wolves, elk, and moose. Visit Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, and several geyser basins. The tour includes hotel pickup, lunch, snacks, drinks, binoculars, and a group size capped at 11.

“We had an amazing time touring Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons . We had the best guide, Allie. She was very knowledgeable , friendly and patient while helping us see as much wildlife as possible and some of the most amazing sites in the park. We met some wonderful people who quickly became friends. Allie, made our trip very special. We had a picnic lunch and one of the greatest parts of our tour was that we had someone to drive us around and picked out all the best places for some amazing views and memorable moments. So glad we took the tour. It’s well worth the money and a…”

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Orlando: Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket - The 30-minute airboat ride across protected wetlands
Airboat Tours, Everglades Tours, Florida Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in the Everglades

Orlando: Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket

12.Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,459 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $36

At Wild Florida, you’ll take a guided 30-minute airboat ride through protected Central Florida wetlands, then visit the wildlife park and live alligator show. Captains such as Jeff, Lauren, Todd, and Mike are known for spotting birds and gators while explaining the ecosystem. Bring weather-ready clothes and allow extra time for the park.

“I was very happy that no-one gets wet on the airboat ride and that they provided ear defenders for everyone and also life jackets for the children. Bobby our pilot gave us lots of information about the wildlife and didn't rush us taking photos and asking questions. There was a good number of bird species including Bald eagles around the lake and we managed to identify about 20 with the help of the staff. Afterwards we visited the zoo which was very well maintained and saw a huge number of Aligators as well as lots of other animals. The shop was beautiful and the cafe was reasonably priced and very…”

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Sedona Outlaw Trail: 3-Hr 4x4 Tour of Western Canyons & Wildlife - Starting in Uptown Sedona at 335 Jordan Road
Arizona Tours, Jeep & Off-Road Tours, Jeep Tours in Sedona, Sedona Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Sedona Outlaw Trail: 3-Hr 4×4 Tour of Western Canyons & Wildlife

13.Sedona Outlaw Trail: 3-Hr 4×4 Tour of Western Canyons & Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,335 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $136

Ride a 4x4 Jeep from Uptown Sedona into the Coconino National Forest, passing Snoopy Rock, Cathedral Rock, Thunder Mountain, Doe Mesa, Loy Butte, and more. Local guides such as JC, Doc, Vivian, and Cowboy Bob share geology, history, and local lore. Expect scenic stops, some bumpy trails, bottled water, and a small group capped at eight people.

“Brad was awesome! He had great knowledge and was fun to hang with. Half bumpy and half smooth ride so good for all ages. Great to see up close and so quiet.”

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Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour - What you see from Waccatee Zoo to the river
Myrtle Beach Tours, South Carolina Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour

14.Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,250 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $46

Set out from Waccatee Zoo on a covered boat with a captain and lively narrator such as Agnes or Abigail. Cruise the Waccamaw River, Intracoastal Waterway, creeks, and swamps while looking for alligators, osprey, herons, egrets, cormorants, turtles, and other wildlife. The narration mixes nature facts, local history, and humor.

“We had a wonderful time. Tour guy was friendly. Perfect weather. Safe environment. A perfect activity to try if you were in the area.”

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Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in a Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle (season dependent) - The wildlife search: moose, elk, bears, and birds
Jackson Hole Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wyoming Tours

Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in a Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle (season dependent)

15.Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in a Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle (season dependent)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,212 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

Ride through Grand Teton National Park with a local naturalist in an open-air safari vehicle from June to mid-September, or a heated enclosed vehicle in colder months. Your guide helps spot wildlife, explains the park’s geology and history, and stops at Mormon Row when seasonal roads allow. Binoculars, snacks, drinks, and a small group of up to 12 are included.

“Animals viewed were often some distance away but the binoculars provided by the tour company were very effective. Was very happy tour guide found bears for us to see.”

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New in Wildlife

★ 5.0Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching QuestFrom $178812 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Wildlife Safari Tour in Grand Teton National ParkFrom $170341 reviews
★ 4.5Private Tour: Florida Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife AdventureFrom $140498 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife Tour of Indian River Lagoon with Experienced Captain409 reviews
★ 5.0See Crystal River – Mantee & Wildlife Viewing CruiseFrom $42349 reviews
★ 4.5Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife RefugeFrom $75605 reviews
★ 4.5Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the RainforestFrom $149719 reviews
★ 5.0Portage Glacier Cruise and Wildlife Explorer TourFrom $239378 reviews
★ 4.3Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching CruiseFrom $148378 reviews
★ 3.5From Miami: Everglades Wildlife Show, Airboat & Bus TransferFrom $40817 reviews
★ 5.0Private Yellowstone Tour: ICONIC Sites, Wildlife, Family Friendly Hikes + lunch739 reviews
★ 4.8Jackson: Grand Teton National Park Guided Wildlife TourFrom $159676 reviews
★ 5.0Chincoteague’s Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by BoatFrom $75662 reviews

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