The Everglades, which is approximately 100 miles long and 60 miles wide, is a slow-moving river and the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in North America. The Seminole Tribe gave the large body of water the name Okeechobee meaning “River of Grass” to describe the sawgrass marshes which are part of a complex system of interdependent ecosystems. On this airboat tour, you will learn more amazing facts about the Everglades from someone who calls it home. We will navigate the natural waterways to find a range of Florida wildlife including alligators, turtles, sea birds and much more! Come explore the world’s wetland treasure with Captain Gerald!

Get to know the captain!

I was born in Fort Myers, Florida in 1944 on Broadway St. in a second-floor apartment above a Mom and Pop store. I’ve always enjoyed nature, so it is fitting that I am retired and living with nature at it’s best.

I now live deep in the Everglades of Florida in a cabin nestled within a “tree island”. I built the two-story cabin from the ground up after it burned down from a lightning strike in late 2000. I was introduced to airboats some 47 years ago in Central Florida and later discovered the Florida Everglades that became a major attraction to me. I have been conducting tours for more than 11 years now and after doing tours for many other companies I am proud to now be leading tours myself under my own business.

My rides include a 30-35 mile ride with many Everglades sightings. My cabin was started in 1953 and I upgraded it a bit upon the rebuild. It has a man-made island that took some 50 years to build with shovels and wheelbarrows.

You can follow me on my Facebook page at Old Glory Camp. I keep busy with many projects such as tours, authorized alligator hunts for teens, veteran events, conservation and re-establishment of turtles in this area known as “2A”, and much more. Search Old Glory Camp for more information.