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My family and I are currently camping at Grayton State Park. The kids are wanting to see wild alligators and I cannot find any info on where we may be able to see them. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am willing to take a drive if there is nothing nearby.
 

Mango

SoWal Insider
Apr 7, 2006
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New York/ Santa Rosa Beach
Here is a list of naturalists who will take you out on the bay and bayous.
Depending on the weather, time, etc., you may not always see alligators, but this is your best shot in the wild. Either way, these tours are a must do when in Sowal, IMHO.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/business-goods-services/25-tour-choctawhatchee-delta-water.html

Gulf World has some alligators that have been rescued. One is HUGE. :shock:
It's also a fun day trip for the family.

Gulf World Marine Park Welcomes You!

You could also go look stand on the Draper Lake Bridge and look out, but you could be there a long time and never see anything. Word is a large alligator lives there, but I have yet to ever see a wild gator by chance in Sowal. Your best bet is the eco-tour.
 

Em

Beach Fanatic
Sep 18, 2005
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Walton Co.
The last alligator I saw was two weeks ago in Western Lake while giving an eco-tour. No need to go farther than your backyard, if you are staying in the campground at Grayton Bch State Park.
 

Kurt

Admin
Oct 15, 2004
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mooncreek.com
Yep - they are around, but shy. There is no particular place to see them, you just have to get lucky, or as some would say "unlucky".
 

Em

Beach Fanatic
Sep 18, 2005
1,506
884
Walton Co.
Little Redfish Lake has a sign posted at the beach stating, "Beware of alligators."
 
Walked across the road to western lake and they had a sign "swim with caution" and an alligator picture next to it.
Last year a ranger told me that the water was too salty for them. But if I have a first hand witness saying they saw one and signs telling me to look out, I'll keep looking. Thanks for the replies.
 

sunspotbaby

SoWal Insider
Mar 31, 2006
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Santa Rosa Beach
the Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island has some too. I'm Not really a fan of captive creatures, but the aquariums and the creatures that are pretty comfy there (alligators, turtles, ducks, and the touch pool) are good, up-close with nature kind of entertainment for kids. Dolphin show, sea lion show, kind of neat. My kids are 4 & 2. Everything is cool then. :love:

When i was 13, i hated going to stuff like this. :lol: :dunno:
 
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kitlit

Beach Fanatic
Dec 11, 2007
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Seagrove Beach
Walked across the road to western lake and they had a sign "swim with caution" and an alligator picture next to it.
Last year a ranger told me that the water was too salty for them. But if I have a first hand witness saying they saw one and signs telling me to look out, I'll keep looking. Thanks for the replies.

If I'm not mistaken (always a possibility) the salinity of the lakes changes regularly, depending on a lot of variables (i.e., rainfall, breaching to the Gulf, etc.) I would never say never--we've even had sharks in the lakes on occasion... :eek:

However, there are definitely alligators around in the lakes--I do consider it to be "lucky" to get to see them--but your best bet would certainly be the eco-tours. I used to love canoeing down Peach Creek and would see them occasionally.

Good luck in your search, and remember to be respectful of them if/when you do see them--you're a guest in their home! :love:
 
I had a group of young girls with parents this morning, and we looked and looked and looked, but didn't see any crocodiles. (they kept asking about crododiles.) They really wanted to see one, but no such luck today. They had a blast anyway.

The salinity does change in the lakes, but the gators can avoid the salinity in Western Lake with no problem. The salt water is heavier and sits lower in the lakes and stays closer to the outfall. The farther you get from the outfall, the less the salinity. Currently, we have had so much fresh water that it has pushed out much salinity.
 
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