Cypress Lake Airboat Tours, Melbourne

Along the St. Johns River marsh, there aren't any houses, developments, or even many signs of civilization—just stretches of diverse wildlife. The state of Florida estimates that more than 1,000 alligators dwell within each mile that Cypress Lake Airboat Tours covers on its 60-minute excursions, making tryouts for the marsh's human-wrestling team especially competitive. The company's airboats glide through protected wetlands and wildlife preserves, giving passengers the chance to witness gators and native species such as bald eagles and wading birds that share the habitat. The entire experience is narrated by a U.S. Coast Guard master captain, who also caps the tour with a live gator demonstration.