The St. Augustine Alligator Farm offers the quintessential Florida experience. Trust me, there is nothing more Florida than witnessing a bunch of alligators basking in the sun. The Alligator Farm is one of St. Augustine’s premier attractions- outside of pirates, forts, and historical sights. The park offers a sanctuary to these reptiles and many more awesome animals.
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is an interesting family-friendly place to visit. Plan on spending about two hours at the zoo to really enjoy the experience.
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History of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm that you see today is more than 100 years in the making. The park began as a small exhibition of Florida reptiles in the late nineteenth century. Since then, it has grown from a roadside attraction into a modern zoo that serves as a base for researchers and zoologists.
In the late 1980s the zoological park became nationally accredited due to their quality of care of their collections. Today, the farm is the only facility in the world that currently features all 24 species of crocodilian.
The Alligator Farm Experience
You will be submerged into the alligator culture from the moment you step foot in the complex. The first habitat houses baby alligators. You won’t believe how incredibly cute and cuddly these little guys look!
Right by the first enclosure you’ll find a fake gator that your kiddos can sit on and pose for a picture.
Pro-Tip: If you want to get a picture with your kids sitting on the fake alligator do it as soon as you arrive… you know before your kid is hot and cranky from the Florida sun.
Just beyond the baby gators you’ll find a spectacular discovery: albino alligators. These dudes look AWESOME!
Our favorite part of the park was probably the Alligator Swamp exhibit. There is a boardwalk that runs the length of the habitat. Below you’ll see alligators sunbathing on the banks of the swamp- just like you’d see in the Everglades or the Okefenokee.
The gators are EVERYWHERE! It’s eerie to see them piled on top of each other in the water and on the banks. The whole time we were crossing our fingers that one of the kids didn’t decide to hop in and go for a swim!
On our most recent visit we got to witness real carnage! We watched as an alligator charged after a bird and made it his mid-morning snack.
Pro-Tip: Speaking of feeding the alligators… pack your change so you can buy some treats (dog food) to feed the gators.
Animals That Can Be Found at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
- Alligators
- Crocodiles
- Komodo Dragons
- Lemurs
- Tamarins
- Galapagos Tortoises
- Birds (parrots, cockatoos, cranes, hornbills, storks, vultures, etc.)
Other Attractions
- Fossil Discoveries
- Educational Shows
- Feedings
- Playground
- Restaurant & Bar
- Zip Through the Zoo
We cannot wait to go back when the boys are a bit older so we can all enjoy the Zip Through the Zoo! The park has a zipline and ropes course that traverses seven acres! The course features over 50 different obstacles that give you a birds-eye-view of the animals.
Coming Soon: Python Challenge and climbing wall.
Visiting the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
The zoo is open every day from 9am to 5pm. In the summers, they remain open until 6pm.
We suggest purchasing your tickets online, in advance.
Pro-Tip: Plan your visit for early in the day to avoid the hot Florida sun.
What is there to do Nearby?
Although the St. Augustine Farm lies outside of the historic district, there is still plenty to do nearby.
- St. Augustine Lighthouse
- Anastasia State Park
- Fort Matanzas
- Butler Beach
- St. Augustine Pirate Museum
- Castillo de San Marcos
- Marineland
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