OVIEDO, Fla. – Just moments after the airboat’s propeller began to roar and the watercraft started gliding across waters of Lake Jesup, we found ourselves surrounded by wildlife.
“You’ve got over 20 gators,” said Jay Rivera as he navigated the airboat through a shallow channel. “It’s beautiful weather today. It’s not cold. Just an excellent day to be here in Oviedo.”
Lake Jesup is home to more than 13,000 alligators, making it the highest concentration of gators per acre anywhere in the state, according to wildlife officials.
“I’ve seen some 14, 15-foot alligators out here,” said Rivera. “And they’re massive. They’re big alligators.”
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Rivera, the general manager of The Black Hammock, enjoys taking locals and out-of-town visitors out on Lake Jesup. The waterfront attraction offers a variety of airboat tours, including private trips and nighttime excursions.
“You just see a bunch of alligators out there. You just see their eyes glowing,” Rivera explains.
Another highlight of the trip is Bird Island, a refuge in the middle of Lake Jesup that often hosts hundreds of birds.
“Every ride is different. You never know what you’re going to come across,” Rivera said.
Lake Jesup is named in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Jesup, who began his 52-year military career just before the War of 1812, making him one of the longest-serving members of the U.S. Army.
Historically, steamboats navigated these waters, transporting fruit and goods between the Oviedo area and the St. Johns River, which is connected to Lake Jesup.
Nowadays, Lake Jesup is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those wanting to experience the wild side of Florida.
“Usually in the morning, you’ll find local fishermen right in this area here. They’ll be out here fishing for catfish, specks, tilapia,” said Rivera. “We’ve been seeing some jet skis out in the open as well.”
