everglades tours florida keys

Capt. Sterling's Everglades Eco-Tours

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Capt. Sterling's Everglades Eco-Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Florida Keys and the Everglades

Featuring Extensive Wildlife Viewing Opportunities in the Everglades and an Optional Tour to the Remote Dry Tortugas National Park!

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Experience the incredible ecosystems, wildlife, and history that make up Florida’s National Parks with up close tours and expert local guides. Plus, enjoy fun in the sun with time to explore the bustling vacation hotspots of Key West and Ft. Lauderdale.

• 3 guided excursions in Everglades National Park
• 2 nights in Key West
• Optional tour to Dry Tortugas or free time in Key West
• City tours of Ft Lauderdale and Key West
• Sunset Boat Tour in the Florida Bay

DAY 1: ARRIVE

Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale and check in for a 2-night stay. D

DAY 2: FT. LAUDERDALE

See the “Venice of America” with a guided city tour of Ft. Lauderdale. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing cruise aboard the Carrie B. and dinner at local favorite, Tropical Acres Steakhouse. B, D

DAY 3: EVERGLADES

Get up close with America’s largest subtropical wilderness in Everglades National Park. Take a thrilling airboat ride through the “river of grass” and search for the American Alligator during a tram ride through Shark Valley. Continue to Homestead for a 2-night stay. B, L

DAY 4: BISCAYNE

Learn about the complex marine ecosystem protected at Biscayne National Park with a ranger presentation before a journey to the southern tip of the Everglades for a special sunset boat tour on the Florida Bay. Look for dolphins, manatees, crocodiles, and exotic birds that all make their home along the saltwater coast. B, L

DAY 5: KEY WEST

Enjoy the scenic drive along US-1 through the Florida Keys to its last stop - Key West. Tour the vacation mecca aboard a narrated trolley and enjoy free time to visit the museums and attractions that pique your interest. A local seafood dinner awaits along the harbor at Conch Republic Seafood before checking in for a 2-night stay. B, D

DAY 6: KEY WEST

Select your choice of island adventures. Take the Yankee Freedom ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park aboard an all-day tour to see historic Fort Jefferson with expert guides plus free time to enjoy the island. Or spend the day exploring Key West on your own with an unlimited hop-on/hop-off ticket aboard the Old Town Trolley. Attractions include the Hemingway Home & Museum, Shipwreck Museum, Little Truman White House, and much more! B

Option – Dry Tortugas Day Trip. This all-day tour includes a 2-hour ferry ride aboard the Yankee Freedom, a guided tour of Fort Jefferson, and free time to explore the island. Lunch included. (Price - $210 per person)

Option – Old Town Trolley Access. Enjoy an unlimited hop-on/ hop-off ticket to explore Key West at your own pace. Travel to any attraction on the island using the Old Town Trolley and its many stops. Price - $48 per person

DAY 7: FT. LAUDERDALE

After a relaxing morning in Key West, return along scenic US-1 to mainland Florida. Stop in Marathon Key at the Turtle Hospital to learn about how injured sea turtles are rehabilitated, and what is being done to protect this iconic species of South Florida. Enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight stay in Ft. Lauderdale. B, D

DAY 8: RETURN HOME . B

ACCOMMODATIONS: Nights 1-2: Springhill Suites, Ft. Lauderdale Dania Beach, Biscayne National Park Nights 3-4: Fairfield Inn, Homestead, FL Nights 5-6: 24 North Hotel, Key West Night 7: Springhill Suites, Dania Beach

• Departure: November 11, 2024
• Return: November 18, 2024
• Double: $3,100
• Triple/Quad: $2,755
• Single: $3,989

*Price per person

*Includes roundtrip flight from STL or MCI (call for other gateway cities)

Average temperatures:

Fort Lauderdale: 78° / 62°

Key West: 76° / 68° Luggage:

Orange luggage tags are provided and are to be placed on your “checked luggage” (large bag). You do not need a tag for your carry-on bag, for which you will be responsible for taking on and off the coach. There is limited space in the cabin of the coach, so unless you require your carry-on bag while traveling, we will stow it in the luggage compartment.

Important Information:

Each reservation requires a $250 per person deposit planning fee (exceptions may apply) to be credited toward your final payment. Some or all of your deposit may be non-refundable per our cancellation schedule noted in these Terms & Conditions below. We are happy to accept cash, check (preferred) or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) for your deposit.

Throughout 2021 we limited capacity on all our tours. This policy was so overwhelmingly popular by Sunrise travelers, we have made it permanent. In 2022 and beyond, we will limit the capacity on our motorcoaches to 80%. Most Sunrise Tours travel on 50-seat coaches with extra legroom, which means guests will enjoy extra legroom AND at least 6-8 empty seats. In the rare cases when we charter a 55-seat coach, there will be at least 10 open seats on the bus.

Our popular on-board refreshment service on travel days will feature a variety of soda, beer, wine spritzers, juices and sparkling water choices served in recyclable aluminum cans. This is a safe and eco-conscious way for us to deliver the ever-popular Sunrise Tours “happy hour” on tour. We do not typically serve bottled water and ask that while on tour you be responsible for your own hydration and consider the Sunrise Tours drink service a welcome refreshment.

Terms and Conditions:

Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.

create unforgettable Everglades memories at captain jack's!

Zip through Everglades City on airboat tours

Venture through a cypress forest on a swamp buggy

Get a chance to see wild alligators, birds & more

Stay safe and comfortable 

See alligators & animals up close

Hold a baby alligator

Take home gifts and memories

Everglades National Park Boat Tour

Mangrove Tunnel & National Park Combo

Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour

Mangrove maze airboat tours.

Race through a maze of Everglades mangroves on an airboat, away from other traffic.

• Mangrove Maze Ultimate Combo

• Mangrove Maze Airboat Tour

Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Combos

• Total Everglades Combo

Mangrove Tunnel & Grassland Combo

Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo

Private Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo

Mangrove tunnel airboat tours.

Take a high-speed tour of Everglades City's signature mangrove tunnels!

• Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

• Private Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

Grassland airboat Tours

Grassland & Buggy Combo

• Grassland Airboat Tour

4 Attractions Included with All Our Tours

When you book direct.

Animal Sanctuary

Alligator Show

Hug an Alligator

Why Choose Captain Jack’s?

Local Roots

Safety & Experience

Two-Way Headsets

Alligators & Animals

Quietest & Comfiest

Personal & Popular

Refreshments & Gifts

Guests love us.

“There is something about flying down narrow alleys of mangrove trees that is just a rush. I could never get tired of it. The guides always give more than just a ride. You learn so much about the Everglades and the total ecosystem that it is. We most certainly will be back!

—C. from Florida

“The mangrove tour was so much fun! We saw a family of dolphins swimming along the boat, several alligators, and a few fish jumping out of the water. Riding through the mangroves was beautiful and a fun way to see the Everglades. I would recommend to anyone.”

—J. from Massachusetts

“We really enjoyed seeing the alligators. The captain of the airboat gave a lot of information about the Everglades and habitat. The addition of the two-way headsets let us all communicate during the tour. This was really a highlight of having friends down visiting us new Florida residents. Plan to bring other guests."

—K. from Florida

“We did the combo package and it was amazing! Great way to experience all 3 ways to 'see' the Everglades! Would highly recommend. All the captains for each segment were fantastic! Had a great time!"

—J.T.

• Mangrove Tunnel & National Park Combo
• Mangrove Tunnel & Grassland Combo
• Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
• Private Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
• Grassland & Buggy Combo
• Lodging Nearby
• Total Everglades Stay & Play
• Online Gift Shop
• Animals & Alligator Show
• Everglades City Boardwalk

• Private Airboat Tour (Regular Hours)
• Sunrise/Sunset Private Airboat Tour
• Half Day and Full Day Airboat Fishing Trips
• Full Day Private Airboat Tour
• Night Private Airboat Tour
• Miami Beach
• South Beach
• Florida Keys
• Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood Int’l Airport
• Miami International Airport

Get Onboard with Our Everglades Airboat Tours from Florida Keys

Everglades Airboat Tours from Florida Keys offers an exciting and unforgettable way to experience the natural wonders of the Everglades. Our tours take you on a thrilling ride through the marshes, swamps, and sawgrass prairies of this unique and diverse ecosystem.

Our airboat tours are led by knowledgeable and experienced guides who will share their insights into the ecology and history of the Everglades. You’ll learn about the various plants and animals that call this region home, including alligators, turtles, snakes, and a wide variety of bird species.

Our airboats are state-of-the-art, with powerful engines and specially designed propellers that allow them to navigate through the shallow waters of the Everglades with ease. You’ll feel the wind in your hair as you zoom across the water, taking in the stunning scenery around you.

In addition to our Everglades Airboat Tours from Florida Keys, we also offer other activities that allow you to experience the Everglades up close. You can take a nature walk on one of our trails, go kayaking or canoeing on one of our waterways, or even go on a guided fishing trip.

We pride ourselves on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests. All of our guides are licensed and certified, and our airboats are regularly maintained to ensure that they are in top condition.

If you’re visiting the Florida Keys and are looking for an unforgettable adventure, be sure to book a tour with Everglades Airboat Tours from Florida Keys. Moreover, we look forward to showing you the natural beauty of the Everglades and sharing our love of this incredible ecosystem with you.

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Wild Lime Adventures

Wild Lime Adventures ™

Find the real florida ™, featured tours.

Part Day: 1-Hour Air Boat Ride & Nature Walk w/ a Naturalist in Everglades National Park Tour

Full Day: Everglades Adventure Tour w/ dry hike led by an experienced naturalist

Full Day: Everglades Adventure Tour w/ wet walk led by an experienced naturalist

View other popular tours.

Florida Keys Marine Eco Adventure

One Hour Air Boat Ride and Little Havana Walking and Driving Tour w/ time for lunch

Southern Region of Everglades National Park: Wet walk, dry walk, kayak, boat trip and more – Shape your perfect adventure!

Taste of the Tropics: Tantalizing Flavors and Cultural History of Homestead and Florida City

Birding and Photography Tour

Dynamic Group Team Building Tours / Events

Why choose wild lime adventures.

AUTHENTIC & IMMERSIVE

Avoid the touristy and escape the crowds. Become immersed in the real places and natural areas. Find the Real Florida!

TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED

We will pick you up! (Some location restrictions apply.) Or we can also provide a convenient meet up location, where it is free and safe to leave your car.

PERSONALIZED / SMALL GROUPS

Small groups allow us to truly get to know our guests and for everyone to experience the most rewarding adventures. Carpe diem!

Latest Post

Tropical Hardwood Hammock

One of the special habitats of the Everglades is the tropical hardwood hammock. And one of the easiest ones to get to and explore is right in Shark … Read More about Tropical Hardwood Hammock

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Read All About

Life on the bus, florida everglades and keys, everglades national park, dry tortugas national park, key west, pennekamp and bahia honda state parks..

A one week adventure in Florida, featuring light hiking, camping, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, wildlife, and biking.  Included in the price: Shark Valley Tram Tour ($22), Yankee Freedom Catamaran to Dry Tortugas ($170), and the glass bottom boat or snorkel tour at John Pennekamp State Park. ($30) Confirm all dates with Adventure Bus before booking any flights or pre-trip accommodations. ***This tour will feature tent camping and a passenger van.***

Trip Details

Arrival & departure.

Departs and returns to Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Call for more departure details.

Transportation

This tour will feature our Adventure Van.

Accommodations

This tour will feature all tent camping. Call Adventure Bus for tips on getting the best airfare and accommodations before and after your trip! 1-888-737-5263

Warm to hot days and cool nights are typical in the on this adventure tour.

Our meals are geared to provide you with the fuel you need to get through your active days, and yet still extremely tasty. We can accommodate all dietary needs. Click here for sample recipes .

Hikes & Difficulty

This is more of a multi-sport tour, with options for light hiking, snorkeling, biking, and kayaking.

What to Expect

After you make a reservation, a confirmation packet will be sent to you with more detailed information. Check out our FAQs .

Price per person: $1095 Returning guests: $895 $300 deposit required Trip price includes all park entrance fees and 70% of the meals.

We'll pick you up in Ft Lauderdale, Florida at 4PM and enjoy a dinner out of delicious local Cuban fare before settling into our first campground just outside Everglades National Park .

Our first stop...Everglades National Park!  Take the Tram Tour or Bike through Shark Valley to observe incredible wildlife and this uniquely Florida ecosystem. Alligators, turtles, herons, storks, and anhingas abound! Enjoy a fresh key lime shake or local fruit at our favorite farm stand, “Robert is Here” before camping out tonight deep in the Everglades along the Florida Bay.

Kayak or canoe in Florida Bay in the morning and hike the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails and see even more gators, herons, cranes, anhingas up close in the afternoon. Then, it’s off to the Florida Keys for the next several days.

Today, you have many options! Take in a snorkeling or glass bottom boat tour, (included) or rent a kayak for a few hours, relax on the beach, hike a trail, and check out the aquarium and museum in the John Pennekamp State Park visitor center.

We'll kayak out to Indian Key State Park which was once an important thriving trading post. You'll see ruins, nesting osprey, and learn about the history and demise of this once fruitful community. After we settle into our next campground, we'll head into Key West to explore this unique historic town and enjoy sunset with the locals at Mallory Square. We'll end the evening with some tasty local Florida cuisine.

This is a truly unique experience! We'll take the Yankee Freedom Catamaran out to Dry Tortugas National Park . Snorkel, explore Fort Jefferson, bird watch and more. The history, colorful waters and Yankee Freedom hospitality will make this a day you will never forget!

You'll have another chance to go on a snorkeling tour out to Looe Key, or rent a kayak. Hike the Silver Palm Nature Trail, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Bahia Honda . Keep your eyes on the marina for manatee!

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Florida's Everglades and Keys

America’s tropical treasure

Mahogany Hammock Trail

Dry Tortugas National Park

Rosette Spoonbill

Everglades National Park

Think about this: Everglades National Park is the largest wilderness area east of the Rocky Mountains —larger even than Grand Canyon National Park . If you look, if you listen, you might see manatees, American crocodiles, and a bursting diversity of birds, mammals, fish, and reptiles. You will probably never see, but can imagine prowling there, the endangered Florida panther. South Florida harbors a number of other wild pockets as well, like the coral reefs and mangroves of Biscayne National Park, the seagrass beds of Dry Tortugas National Park, and the myriad natural treasures of Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Corkscrew Swamp, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, and other parks and preserves. Off the Beaten Path speeds you past the ruckus of Florida’s gator shows, theme parks, and airboats to the quiet of such places, to see the natural state of Florida.

Featured Trips

Wild Florida

How would you like to travel.

OBP offers many ways to travel: Private Custom Journeys , Fly Fishing Expeditions , Ranch Vacations & Small Group Adventures .

Off the Beaten Path offers a wonderful guided small-group tour that includes Everglades , Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas National Parks, designed and offered in association with our partner National Parks Conservation Association.  We can also design a private custom trip for you, connecting you with naturalist guides along the way to deepen your experience and understanding of these unique and important ecosystems.

Here’s a rundown of our three favorite National Parks in Florida where you can see wildlife, paddle a kayak or canoe or catch a tour boat, and learn about some of Florida’s most significant wild places.

The shorthand description of Everglades National Park is “a 1.5-million-acre wetland in South Florida, often compared to a grassy, slow-moving river.” But let’s unpack the shorthand to get the deeper story. Unlike Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks , which were created to protect majestic scenery, Everglades National Park was established to preserve a fast-disappearing portion of the Everglades ecosystem—a complex, interdependent, and magical network of wetlands, mangroves, hardwood hammocks, and pine forests fed by a slow-moving current of water that seeps and flows out of Lake Okeechobee. This mosaic of habitats supports a community of plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else on earth.

Nearly 90 percent of the park is designated as wilderness. You can get a great sense of it from high up in the observation tower at Shark Valley, looking out over a seemingly endless landscape with no roads, no buildings, nothing but an inexorable drift of water flowing through wetland habitat. Shark Valley is just one of three unconnected entrances to the Everglades, and each provides a different view and experience of the park. Between them you have access to all kinds of activities and explorations—you can bike through the pinelands, kayak Florida Bay watching for manatees and dolphins, paddle among the mangroves on Nine-Mile Pond, follow a ranger on a slough slog through the heart of a cypress dome, or take a wildlife watching walk along the Anhinga Trail looking for turtles, herons, and alligators.

Biscayne National Park

Less than 50 miles from Miami, Biscayne National Park is a world away from the hustle, noise, and concrete of the city—especially the concrete, as the park is 95 percent water. Four different ecosystems within those waters are protected: the mangrove swamp along the shoreline, shallow Biscayne Bay itself, the offshore Florida reef (one of the largest coral reefs in the world), and a number of coral limestone keys. Elliott Key is the largest island in the park and is the first of the true Florida Keys, formed by fossilized coral reefs. One of the neatest experiences in the park is “paddle birding”—following a park naturalist out into the mangroves in your own paddlecraft to spot such birds as osprey, frigate birds, terns, warblers, sparrows, woodpeckers. 

Dry Tortugas National Park is the anchor at the bottom of the Florida Keys, lying about 68 miles off Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. The “tortugas” part of the name comes from the Spanish for turtle, with both green and loggerhead turtles nesting here. The “dry” part of the name refers to the absence of fresh surface water on the seven islands within the park. Of course the park is anything but dry if you count saltwater. In fact, the 100-square-mile park is mostly open water, and is accessible only by boat or seaplane. Visitors come to snorkel the coral reefs, dive the shipwrecks, go bird watching, and walk through Fort Jefferson, a historic coastal fortress that looks like it’s parked in the water, but is actually built atop Garden Key. Although unfinished, Fort Jefferson is nevertheless the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. The Fort was used as a prison in the mid 19 th century, and has ties to Civil War history.

Hard core birders definitely have this park on their map, as it’s one of North America’s biggest birding hotspots during the spring migration. Along with its raucous colonies of nesting sooty terns, masked boobies, and magnificent frigatebirds, birdwatchers might see roseate terns, shearwaters, and other seabirds. On stormy days or at night during the migration, long-eared owls, fork-tailed flycatchers, Cuban pewees, and other birds seek shelter in island trees and bushes.

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WELCOME TO OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Bring your curiosity and come exploring with us!

NORTH TO ALASKA

To receive our most complete detailing of this small group adventure, please provide your preferred contact information.

Breaking News:

Gator Park is open every day. No reservations required, just show up!

NPS Entrance Fee is now $8 per person for adults, free for seniors, children under 16, National Park passholders, military and veterans.

Please be advised that holding live baby alligator for a photo is no longer allowed. Thank you for your understanding.

We have a limitied availability for private tours. Please call to make reservation in advance. 

Walk-ins are always welcome!

Attention Drivers: Please exercise increased caution while traveling on US41 due to current road conditions. Stay alert, reduce speed , and maintain a safe following distance. 

Welcome to GATOR PARK

An alligator adventure in the heart of the everglades national park..

Looking for some serious gator action? Gator Park is the premier airboat tour in the Florida Everglades to spy these fierce reptiles. Airboat rides depart every few minutes, so your Everglades experience begins the moment you arrive. We also offer private airboat tours for a more up close and personal look at the alligators .

The Everglades National Park is known for its vast wildlife, many of whom you’ll meet on your airboat tour. From endangered birds you won’t find anywhere else to small creatures that live among these wild alligators , you’ll see Florida as few people do.

The Everglades' marine life includes more than 200,000 alligators, so you’re guaranteed to spy quite a few on your Everglades tour! American crocodiles and fish, including large mouth bass,  blue gil and catfish, are also frequent guest stars on the tour.

More than 28 different snakes - a few of which are venomous – also call the Everglades home, alongside the beautiful and elusive endangered Florida panther.

Experience this unique Miami, Florida attraction by booking your airboat ride through the Everglades National Park today. Give us a call at 800-559-2205 or buy tour tickets online now.

Ready to meet the gators? You’ve come to the right place. Buy your airboat tour tickets online and save time and money at the park. No reservations required! Your tickets will be available at Gator Park on the day of your airboat safari.

Airboat Tours

Get ready for the ride of your life. The Gator Park Airboat Tour begins by winding down the canal, providing plenty of photo ops to catch wildlife in their natural habitat. Experienced guides offer tips to ensure you spot alligators large and small...

Wildlife Show

Go beyond the Everglades with Gator Park's famous alligator and wildlife show and watch alligators from just a few steps away! This barehanded technique was originally used to capture alligators and showcases the great power and agility of the gators.

ALLIGATOR TOUR HOURS & RATES

Looking for a unique change of pace from other Florida tourist attractions? An Everglades airboat safari is just what you need. Gator Park is open and ready for your Everglades adventure every day, rain or shine! (The gators like the rain.)

Monday – Sunday:

• 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Last wildlife show:

Last airboat departure:

Tickets to Gator Park include admission, airboat ride through the Everglades and watch alligators at the Wildlife show. Buy tickets online and save. 

• Adults: $29.99 ($29.99 at the gate)
• Children: $19.99 (Kids 1-5 years old ride for free!)

Private airboat tours run on your schedule and are a great way to get up close and personal with the gators. Rates are by the hour.

• 1-4 People: $525.00
• 5-6 People: $695.00
• 7-10 People: $895.00
• 11-15 People: $995.00
• 16-24 People: $1495.00

$8 National Park Service entry fee is not included.

Excluded from National Park entrance fees:

• Children under the age of 16
• National Park passholders
• Senior citizens (62+ years of age)
• Active Military personnel with proper ID

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and Diner's Club cards accepted for all our Everglades attractions.

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• We are currently at our secondary location on HWY 27, please review your confirmation email for more details!

Private & Semi-Private Airboat Tours

Quick Details

• User Ages: 6+
• Clock Duration: 1 - 2 hours
• Info Note: Please call to book a tour with kids under the age of 6 (for all semi-private tours).

Airboat Tours in the Everglades!

From single-person private tours to large-group tours, this smooth sliding ride is like no other in the world. On this custom water tour, you see and hear remarkable stories of the Everglades’ history, its present, and what the future holds for it. See beautiful flowers, trees, and animal life found nowhere else in the world.

Just outside of Miami lies an uncultivated home of the cold sharp-toothed Florida alligator, which welcomes everyone to their home. So step out of the sand and concrete of Miami and let’s ride and slide in the River of Grass together.

• No cages, no feeders, no animal caregivers
• This is a wild, adventurous tour as you will only find in South Florida (SoFlo) Everglades.
• Informative, educational and fun for the whole family
• Small boats allow sighting from both sides
• U.S. Coast Guard certified and trained operators
• Feel like you’re flying through the grass!

NOT INCLUDED:

• Tips and gratuity for your tour guide/ captain
• Restrooms, buildings and ATM’s
• Transportation
• Chevron down Semi-Private Tour
• 1 hour – $65/person
• 1.5 hours – $85/person
• Chevron down Private Tour
• Up to 2 people – $255
• Up to 4 people – $300
• Up to 6 people – $345
• Up to 9 people with a 10th person free – $413
• Up to 2 people – $358
• Up to 4 people – $416
• Up to 6 people – $475
• Up to 9 people with a 10th person free – $555

Related Tours

• Clock 2 - 4 hours
• User All ages

Everglades Swamp Buggy Mud Tour

This is the perfect high-seat adventure through the landmass of what is known by many as the North American Amazon.

• Clock 1.5 - 2 hours

Take a Walk Tour

This vastly preserved ecosystem is sure to surprise even the most educated biologist/naturalist. Prepare to be in awe as you venture into the Everglades.

• Snorkel Tours
• Sunset Cruises
• Photo Gallery
• Keys Activities

Private Eco-Tours

Enjoy a cruise through the mangroves of florida bay and learn about the interconnected ecosystem and history of the florida keys. mangroves are vital to the health of the reefs, surrounding waters, and underwater wildlife. this is a tour to learn about the unique environment of the florida keys and everglades., eco-tours include .

• Drinks and Snacks included
• Cooler with ice for your personal snacks and drinks

Private Eco Tours 2 Hours

Tour times & price, 9:00 am to 11:00 am / 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, 2-hour private eco-tours 6 guests or less  $299.00 plus tax & fees., private  eco tour & reef snorkel & 3.5 hours, 9 am to 12:30 pm | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, 3.5-hour private snorkel tour 1 location and eco tour 6 guests or less $549.00 plus tax & fees..

 Free Parking – ​​​Cooler With Ice On Board For Your Personal Snacks & Drinks –We Have A 24-Hour Cancellation Policy – Guests Need To Speak English Or Have An Interpreter

Snorkel the Keys Location

We are located in Key Largo Resort Marina in a slip between Holiday Inn and Skippers Dockside with free parking in the back of the Holiday Inn or Skippers Dockside once parked, just a short walk down to the marina.

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Last updated: June 5, 2023

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40001 State Road 9336 Homestead, FL 33034-6733

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Welcome to KeyZ Charters

Unique florida keys boat charters & boat tours.

KeyZ Charters in Islamorada is the perfect family adventure for exploring the Florida Keys, Everglades National Park, and South Florida. From Islamorada snorkeling and sunset cruises to bird-watching charters, eco-tours, and Florida Keys boat tours, our charters are exhilarating.

Based in South Florida, our boat charters and private boat tours can take you up close to popular Florida landmarks such as Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key, Alligator Reef lighthouse, and Everglades National Park. Whether you like snorkeling , watching the sunset on a boat , bird watching , or relaxing on a sandbar , KeyZ Charters offers private boat tours and private charters that can be customized for any type of adventure.

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Our services, private boat tours & charters in islamorada & florida keys.

KeyZ Charters offers amazing eco-tours to explore the beauty of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Whether you are looking to explore the waters, mangroves, and wildlife, or just to relax, our experienced guides will take you to some of the best spots to observe the local wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

KeyZ Charters snorkeling tours in Islamorada take you to some of the best snorkeling locations in the Florida Keys. Our tours are designed for all ages, and our professionally trained guides will give you access to the best sites in the area, including coral reefs, marine life, and the chance to possibly see manatees or dolphins.

• Sunset Cruises

A KeyZ Charters outing is the perfect way to watch the sunset. On our Florida Keys sunset cruise, you’ll enjoy the sound of the waves lapping against the side of the boat, the briny breeze on your face, and the stunning colors of the sky as the sun sets.

• Historic Island Tours

KeyZ Charters provides historic island tours of Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key, a unique way to experience the beauty and history of Islamorada and the Florida Keys. Guests will explore Indian Key, the first county seat of Monroe County, and Lignumvitae Key, home to Florida's oldest botanical gardens.

• Custom Combination Tours

KeyZ Charters offers a variety of combination boat tours that can be customized to fit your specific needs and desires, including sightseeing, snorkeling, visiting historic islands, and watching the sunset on a private boat charter.

Half day Excursions

With KeyZ Charters’ 4-hour half-day excursions, you can explore Islamorada with a combination of activities including snorkeling, eco-touring, relaxing at a sandbar and more.

Islamorada Sandbar Tours

KeyZ Charters offers amazing sandbar tours. This is a great way to relax on your vacation in Islamorada, Key Largo, Marathon and all of the Florida Keys. We provide a unique experience by taking you to the sandbars just off the coast to swim, snorkel, sunbathe.

Photos from our Florida Keys Boat Tours

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77522 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036

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Florida Keys Airboat Eco Tours Around The Keys And The Everglades

Airboat tours are truly a thrilling experience that all the family will get a kick out off.

And best of all, although finding a company in the Florida Keys itself is a little bit scarce, you are literally a stone’s throw from the greatest exponents of strapping a huge fan to the back of a boat and zipping across the top of the water that you'll ever find.

Yes, the world famous everglades are very close indeed, and within their confines there are quite a few companies offering eco tours, wildlife displays or simply the thrill of going extremely fast across the surface.

All of them will have a huge amount of experience in spotting, the local wildlife such as alligators, crocodiles, eagles, manatees, and even huge burmese pythons!

So look closely at the airboat tours listed below as we will name then either FLA KEYS or MAINLAND to give you a clearer indication of where they are based, Florida Keys or Florida mainland.

But the majority will be the mainland most definitely.

Ok, then let’s go and find you the most fun airboat tours we can, and don’t forget to check out our other pages on eco tours either.

Everglades Safari Park

If you have an image of a day sitting in a boat as the wind whistles through you hair, and the giant fan at the back of the boat creates the sound of a jumbo jet, then you will be disappointed.

Not that you wont get that for 30 t0 40 minutes, but at the Everglades Safari Park, you also get a chance to wander the trails, see the alligator show, and other great everglade wildlife attractions.

The safari park have been in operation for 40 years, and deliver what their customers want big time...a great day out.

Mainland: 26700 SW 8 St, Miami, FL 33194

Click For More Information on This Company

Cypress Air-Boats

All the captains of these charters are USCG certified to ensure that you have a marvellous and safe time amongst the weeds, grass, and waters of the Florida everglades 

You can choose the speed of the tour you wish to undertake, with either a fast speed, exhilarating trip, or a slower paced eco tour full of educational tips and facts concerning the fauna and animals of the area.

And don't think you have to fit in with everyone else either. You can also choose the time of travel, from the dawn chorus, right through to night trips. Totally tailorable to your own requirements.

Mainland: Everglades, Florida, 34139

Click For More Information on This Company 

Everglades Airboat Charters

Right in the heart of the Everglades, Captain Greg Brown will take you back through the decades of Florida history, with tales of the Native American Indians that lived in the area a hundred years ago.

With ear splitting, heart racing airboat rides across the everglades you will be placed in the heart of action. Choose from fast airboat tours, educational trips, or even day and night photo opportunities tours.

It's pretty much up to you, you only have to ask.

Address: 

Mainland: Dade Corners Market Place and Fuel Station 17696 Southwest 8th Street Miami, FL 33194

Click For More Information On This Company

Captain Doug's Everglades Tours

Of course with most of the airboats and Everglade operators focusing in on the same kind of thing....wildlife, you are going to think that whoever you go with will provide with the same eco tour.

Well, i'll be honest with you that's kind of correct, but its the little things that make the difference...like waiting times.

C aptain Doug's has this down to a fine art and with multiple boats running, and tours going out every thirty minutes you will know that this  airboat trip you will get to the heart of the action and quickly.

You can even phone ahead and reserve an airboat if you wish.

Mainland: 200 Collier Avenue, Everglades City, FL 34139

Air Boat USA

This company certainly know how to get a good review or two as you can see here on a Tripadvisor page dedicated to them .

With plenty of experience to gain the greatest views of the wonderful Everglades wildlife, then they could be just the company for you.

Offering private, night time, or day charters, whatever your requirements for a trip into Florida's Everglades swampland you'll get it.

Mainland : 16400 SW 8th St Miami, FL 33194   

Click For More Information On This Company  

Gator Park Florida Air Boat Tours

You may think that with a name like Gator park, you will be focusing on the largest of the reptiles to be found in the wild. But this everglades company are so much more than that.

Running boat trips every 20 minutes across the waters at breakneck speed, you do indeed see a few of these mighty creatures, but with tours, wildlife shows, and of course air boats, you will be spoilt for choice in what to do first.

Mainland: Gator Park Inc.  24050 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33194

Click For More Information On This Company

Eco Tours Further Into The Florida Mainland

When it comes to air boat eco tours, we have tried to focus on the ones as close to the Florida Keys as possible.

However if you end up near Orlando then Wild Florida Airboats could well be worth checking out.

They offer day tours, sunset tours and even night eco tours that guests of all ages will love, where you will get up close and personal with bird, eagles, gators and a myriad of other Florida wildlife.

Mainland: 3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739

Rides at Boggy Creek are the closest you will get to Disney and the major themes parks as you can.

Based in Kissimmee these guys pretty much specialise on taking you out on the waters to see the local wildlife. If you are lucky you might even get to see the classic icon of all America the Bald Eagle, which hangs around the area.

You most definitively will see gators and lots of them though.

Mainland : 2001 E-Southport Road, Kissimmee, Florida

Spirit Of The Swamp

When you climb on to one of the airboats run by Spirit of the swamp, you will not have anyone next to you (except your family). They like to keep things as personal as possible in the swamp don't cha know!

S o enjoy Orlando's highest rated swamp eco tours, and sit back on brand new top of the range boats and let your guides fly you across in search of the best of Florida's wildlife.

Mainland:  2830 Neptune Road Kissimmee, Florida 

Click For More Information On This Company   

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Everything you need to know about Everglades National Park

Plan your trip to the southern tip of Florida to visit the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.

Why you should go to Everglades National Park

Sprawling between South Florida’s Lake Okeechobee and the Gulf of Mexico, the Everglades is one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands. About 20 percent of the region is protected within the confines of Everglades National Park , the third largest national park after Death Valley and Yellowstone in the lower 48 states. While the park’s main purpose is preserving wilderness, Everglades also provides plenty of scope for outdoor adventure.

Although technically a wetland , perhaps it’s best to think of the Everglades as the nation’s slowest, widest river—a constant stream of freshwater roughly 60 miles wide, moving at a speed of around 2.5 miles per day as it makes its way south to Florida Bay. The Seminole people called the region Okeechobee (“river of grass”). And while a large part of the Everglades is covered in razor-sharp sawgrass, the region also encompasses mangroves , tropical hardwood hammocks (island forests), pine and cypress forests, freshwater prairie, and various marine and estuarine habitats.

(This ambitious new trail will someday connect South Florida’s two national parks.)

“A visitor with an untrained eye—especially one used to the dramatic vistas of some western national parks—might arrive at Everglades National Park and think ‘What's the big deal?’” says Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades. “It's a park that requires you to really train your eye and be mindful and be present. When you do that, you can experience some really incredible and subtle nature.”

Where to find the best views in the park

With elevation ranging between sea level and eight feet, it’s not easy to snatch a lofty view of the park anywhere other than the 70-foot-high Shark Valley Observation Tower . Opened in 1984, the futuristic spiral renders views of up to 20 miles across the Everglades.

Fourteen miles west of Coe Visitor Center along the Main Park Road, the Pa-Hay-Okee boardwalk and elevated shade shelter provides another wide view across the river of grass.

One of the best coastal views is from the second-floor breezeway of the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo.

Where to find the park’s best trails

Located near Coe Visitor Center, the Gumbo Limbo Trail (0.4 mile) and Anhinga Trail (0.8 mile) meander through Royal Palm hammock, while the 22-mile Long Pine Key Trails   penetrate the park’s largest stand of native pines.

Dead flat and paved, the 15-mile Shark Valley Trail varies between sawgrass marsh and tropical hardwood hammocks. Despite the name, there aren’t any sharks, just snoozing gators to step around (at a safe distance, of course).

Where to spot wildlife

Flamingo village is surprisingly good for wildlife. Osprey hatch and raise their young on nesting towers beside the marina, while manatees and American crocodile are sometimes spotted in the bay and nearby mangrove channels.

Alligators   routinely emerge from the swamp and sun themselves on or beside the Shark Valley Trail . It’s also a primo bird habitat for creepy-looking wood storks, gorgeous roseate spoonbills, and anhinga “snakebirds.”

Other places to watch gators and birdlife are the Anhinga Trail and Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk   in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park adjacent to the national park.

(Go on a wildlife odyssey through the Everglades and Key West.)

How to visit the park like a Nat Geo Explorer

National Geographic Young Explorer and conservation biologist Gabriela Tejeda has guided visitors along the park’s Florida Bay coast in boats, kayaks, and on paddleboards.

Her favorite way to explore inland areas is "slough slogging." It entails hiking in knee-to-waist-high water through sawgrass to reach secluded hardwood hammocks   or cypress domes —flora and fauna rich arboreal islands in the sawgrass.

When viewed from above, the domes form a rough circle around a pond. “What I didn’t know the first time I explored a dome,” Tejeda recalls, “is that the water in the middle is an ‘alligator hole’—a place where they hang out in the winter when the rest of the Everglades is drying out.”

“[The cypress domes] are unlike anything I had ever seen,” Tejeda continues. “I like to equate them to a fairy tale—a little fairy dome where you just feel like there’s going to be something magical flying around.” No fairy sightings so far. “But I always see owls and alligators and snakes.”

She highly recommends joining a ranger-led slough slog to Double Dome or other cypress domes along the Main Park Road.

Notable activities and excursions

Driving:   The Main Park Road runs through a variety of Everglades ecosystems—freshwater prairie, cypress forest, mangrove, and coastal marsh — on a 38-mile journey between the Coe Visitor Center and Flamingo . Along the way are sideroads to the Royal Palm trails, Historic Nike Missile Site , the   Mahogany Hammock boardwalk trail, and West Lake Boardwalk .

Tours:   Shark Valley offers two-hour narrated tram tours that stop at the Shark Valley Observation Tower. January through April, rangers lead Full Moon/New Moon Bike Rides and other activities.

Narrated boat tours depart from Flamingo and Everglades City . The latter is also homebase for private outfitters offering airboat tours, including Everglades City Airboat Tours. History buffs should visit the town’s small but interesting Museum of the Everglades .

Paddling:   Flamingo and Everglades City bookend the Everglades’ ultimate kayak/canoe experience —the Wilderness Waterway —a 99-mile meander through mangroves and marshes with raised platform “chickee hut” campsites along the way. Everglades City is also the starting point for self-guided paddles along the Turner River Canoe Trails .

Best things to do for families

Bikes & boats:   If keeping kids active is your mission, rent bikes and dodge snoozing alligators along the Shark Valley Tram Trail or explore Florida Bay and the mangroves by boat. Flamingo Adventures   offers canoe and kayak rentals in two-hour increments, as well as full-day pontoon boat rentals.

Tours:   Hop aboard a narrated boat tour of Florida Bay (from Flamingo Marina) or the Ten Thousand Islands (from Port Everglades); or feel the wind in your face during an adrenaline-pumping airboat ride from outfitters around the periphery of the park.

Junior Rangers:   Offered in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, the park’s Junior Ranger Booklet features hands-on and self-guided activities including a scavenger hunt to spot wild animals that call the park home.

The park also participates in the Every Kid Outdoors program that provides vouchers for fourth graders and their families in the U.S. to visit the Everglades (and other national parks) free of charge for an entire year.

Where to stay

Hotels: Destroyed by a hurricane in 2005, Flaming Lodge is open again with new waterview rooms. Outside the park, the closest hotels are in Homestead and Doral (on the eastern edge of the park) and Everglades City, Marco Island, and Naples (beyond the western edge).

Houseboats: Modern, six-person, 42-foot houseboats at Flamingo Marina are equipped with a bathroom (and with shower), an indoor galley, outside grill, air conditioning, bedding, and fish-cutting tables.

Camping: Long Pine Key Campground is open November 1 to April 30. Flamingo Campground is open year-round. Both feature bath houses, dump stations, and potable water. Reservations highly recommended. For camping with the comforts of home, Winter Glamping Tents are available November-April in Flamingo.

Wilderness camping is allowed on certain ground or beach sites or “chickees” (elevated camping platforms). Most sites are accessible only by water and all require wilderness permits. Reservations at Recreation.gov .

Here’s what else you need to know

Access: Although the entire coast is open to exploration via watercraft, land-bound visitors have three options for entering the park: Everglades Homestead in the east, Shark Valley in the north, and Gulf Coast in the northwest.

When to visit:   The dry season (December to March) is when most ranger programs and park concessions are available. This is also the best time to see wading birds and other wildlife. The wet season (April to November) is hot, humid, buggy, and has fewer park services.

“Many people prefer the winter for the terrific weather,” says ranger Allyson Gantt. “But each season offers something special. The shoulder seasons of fall and spring are less busy and may offer more solitude. Summer is especially great for boating and other water activities.”

Closures: A multi-year construction project to raise the level of the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) often features delays. Shark Valley parking is often full by 10 a.m. Check out the latest road, trail, and parking lot conditions, plus weather and prescribed burning alerts at the park’s   conditions page.  

Fishing: Unless you’re under 16 or a Florida resident 65 or older, a state fishing license is required. Anglers casting south of Nine Mile Pond need a saltwater fishing license; from Nine Mile Pond northwards, a freshwater fishing license is mandatory.

Swimming: Swimming and snorkeling are forbidden anywhere inside the park.

Remote control aircraft: Drones, model airplanes, and similar unmanned aircraft are not allowed in the park.

Read before you go:   Originally published in 1947, the definitive Everglades book remains The Everglades: River of Grass ,   by Florida writer and conservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

Are pets allowed?  

Because of the park’s wildlife-rich environment—and the potential threat that it poses to both pets and wild animals—pets and service animals are only allowed in parking lots, on boats, and in the campgrounds and picnic areas at Flamingo and Long Pine Key.

How accessible is Everglades?

Among the accessible sites and services are seven trails, all four visitors centers, two developed campgrounds and one backcountry campsite, narrated boat tours, and the Shark Valley Tram Tour. Visitor information via TDD is available at (305) 242-7740.

Related Topics

• NATIONAL PARKS
• BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

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Best Kayaking Spots in Florida’s National and State Parks

W hen people think of Florida, they might not automatically think about kayaking.  As it turns out, there are over 1200 miles of coastline stretching along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Opportunities abound for recreational kayaking in the Sunshine State , from the Atlantic side to the Gulf of Mexico.

Many state and national parks in Florida offer easy access to waterways and other destinations such as beaches, rivers, creeks, lakes, springs, and wildlife refuges. Whether you’re looking for a gentle paddle or a glorious multi-day kayaking trip, Florida has you covered. It’s one of our favorite kayaking destinations (and yes, I know we live here).

If you have any questions about our suggestions or want to add your own favorite Florida State Parks or National Park sites for kayaking, please leave a comment or send us a note . We’re always happy to share more!

Kayaking in Florida’s State Parks Need to Knows

Lots of Florida State Parks offer great accessible kayaking spots for quick day trips, family outings, or just a more leisurely paddle. Be mindful that most of Florida is known for its hot, humid weather , with brutal summers well into the 90s. Winter is much more pleasant, rarely seeing temperatures below 70 degrees, but every now and then we get surprised by a blazing day on the water. Something super important to consider when planning your trip, be mindful of hurricane season, which typically runs from June to November, with September being the peak month.

Some people coming to Florida State Parks for kayaking are looking for an adventure with alligators, most are leisure travelers who want to avoid the bugs and the heat. Just a stone’s throw from some of the biggest Florida cities you’ll find lots of parks and preserves perfect for paddling.

Most Florida State Parks have kayak rentals available if the park is a good place for it, but if there isn’t a vendor, you can usually bring your own gear for a small launch fee ($4-6). In any waterway, you are required to have a PFD available for each paddler, but those over 6 aren’t required to wear them at all times. WE RECOMMEND ALL KIDS UNDER 14 WEAR A PFD WHILE UNDERWAY.

Top Picks for Florida Keys Kayaking in State and National Parks

The Florida Keys are absolutely beautiful, with turquoise waters and wildlife everywhere. There are actually more than 10 state and National Park sites in the Keys, most with kayaking and SUP opportunities.

Kayaking at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State is located in the backcountry of Florida Bay and not too far from Everglades National Park, and it’s one of best places to kayak in the Florida Keys . The park’s uniqueness is a result of the Everglades’ freshwater colliding with the salt waters of the bay and the Gulf of Mexico, creating a diverse ecosystem teeming with wildlife . Complete with dolphins, crocodiles, seabirds, and an underwater world with opportunities for snorkeling, beginner paddlers will enjoy many activities. The beautiful scenery is great for beginners as the area is free of motorized boats and crowds. We recommend checking out the Dusenbury Creek which allows paddlers to kayak through mangrove tunnels. Visit Florida Bay Outfitters or  Out There Key Largo Kayak and Fishing Expeditions for kayak tours.

For more info on John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , check out our full article about paddling, camping and all the cool things to do at Pennekamp State Park!

Where to launch:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, United 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

The protected Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), the tranquil region, is a great place to explore nature by kayak. Beginners can rent shallow-draft kayaks and will be able to venture out into the pristine backcountry waters. Paddlers can see marine mammals and roosting birds by gliding over shallow seagrass beds and thick mangrove tunnels. The islands and bays are perfect for beginners, given the sheltered bays. The diversity of the marine life ecosystems spans from Key Largo to Key West over 100 miles and is part of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. This is a SUP Friendly paddling destination.

Visit The Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary website to read more about kayaking in the protected area, which includes a portion of Curry Hammock State Park and others. In addition to the area designated as the FKNMS there is also the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, that is incredible for kayaking. Adventures here are some of the best things to do in Key West and are perfect for exploring with kids.

• Toms Harbor Cut Bridge , Duck Key Viaduct, Duck Key, FL 33050  
• Marathon Public Boat Ramp , 33rd St, Marathon, FL 33050 

Bahia Honda State Park for Kayaking 

The waters at Bahia Honda State Park are perfect for kayakers and make a great stop on a Florida Keys road trip . Pristine waters will spoil paddlers and white-sand beaches sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. You can paddle to Little Bahia Honda from launching from Loggerhead Beach. Bring snorkels as the park is also home to some of the most vibrant coral reefs in Florida.

• Bahia Honda State Park 36850 Overseas Highway Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 CALL for current conditions: (305) 872-2353  **Rentals available

Kayaking in Florida’s National Parks

Given the vast outdoor space of Florida, it’s easy to find epic multi-day adventures paddling through the great wilderness, particularly if you are hardy, brave and want to go out with a guide. An endless number of outfitters will help you plan your trip and guide you through the rugged terrain safely. Those looking for a challenge surrounded by Florida wildlife won’t be disappointed, and if you’re into birdwatching, Florida’s National Parks are EPIC. 

Everglades National Park Paddling

Everglades National Park is a subtropical paradise and there are some very unique routes and options for kayakers. With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, paddlers can choose which side of the park to start on a multi-day excursion (or put in/out and drive to the other side). The best way to take in the Everglades is through the Wilderness Waterway, a trail between Everglades City and Flamingo. Tide charts will be your savior from getting stuck in mud during low tide.

It is recommended to make this trip during the winter or spring, taking full advantage of the winds. Multi-day trips start in Everglades City and end in Flamingo. Embarking on this trip is best done through an outfitter as it requires planning and back-country permits.

Kayaking tour idea: Clear Kayaking out of Naples, FL , just north of Everglades National Park. You get the same environment/habitat experience, but can also see underwater via a clear kayak. Check out more Clear Kayaking on the Florida Gulf Coast here !

Our recommended outfitter: Everglades Florida Adventure .  To help you plan your trip, visit the National Park Service website .  

• Gulf Coast Visitor Center – 815 Oyster Bar Lane, Everglades City, FL 34139
• Flamingo Visitor Center – 1 Flamingo Lodge Hwy, Homestead, FL 33034, United States 

Top Pick: Kayaking 10,000 Islands at Everglades NPS

This part of Everglades National Park is so beautiful and unique. There are a few ways to approach kayaking here, but the best way is a guided tour because it’s a CRAZY network of islands and passages. We did the adventure with Everglades Area Tours and it was really cool. Starting with a boat assist to get us far out into the Ten Thousand Islands, we launched kayaks after a ride way out there. Wildlife, history, beaches covered in conch shells and such wonderful birding made it an unforgettable place to kayak among Florida National Park sites.

Check out our complete article all about this special experience kayaking in the 10,000 Islands of Everglades NPS . And if you just straight up know you want to book it, here’s the link for the EXACT TOUR and company we did it with .

Dry Tortugas National Park

Beyond a kayak trip, Dry Tortugas National Park provides spectacular snorkeling in crystal clear waters filled with coral reef and marine life. It is home to the historic Fort Jefferson, one of the US’ largest 19th-century forts. Rich in history and beautiful scenery, it is worth the two-hour trip via ferry. Paddlers can load their kayaks onto the ferry and need a permit to explore the area. You MUST check in with a park ranger upon arrival.

For more information on kayaking Dry Tortugas, visit the National Park Service website or the park transportation’s official website . Book the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry here!

Where to launch (in this case, catch the ferry):

• Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas Ferry 100 Grinnell St, Key West, FL 33040 

Biscayne National Park Near Miami

Kayakers wanting to visit Biscayne National Park will find plenty of opportunities to explore the mangrove-lined shorelines and shallow bay waters. The park’s expansive Biscayne Bay is perfect for crossing to Elliott or Boca Chita Keys, and experienced kayakers can find plenty of enjoyable routes to explore. Adams Key is the most popular launching spot and a great spot to base yourself and explore the lagoons, creeks, and channels. Given the shallow waters, you won’t see motorized vessels in the area, and you’ll have the place all to yourself.

The most simple and beautiful kayaking route goes from the kayak landing near the visitor center parking area and cuts across the small bay. Circle the mangrove islands, visit the canal to look for manatees and swimming iguanas, then paddle through the mangroves. We’ve gone out with the Biscayne Institute for guided kayaking in addition to exploring on our own. They do a great job teaching while paddling. I loved it.

Visit the National Park Services website for more information.  

• Dante Fascell Visitor Center – 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033  

Bioluminescent Kayaking at Canaveral National Seashore

A truly unique experience, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a part of Canaveral National Seashore , is one of the few places in the continental USA that you can kayak in bioluminescent waters. After day the waters come alive with glowing plankton as you paddle. Clear kayaking with the bioluminescence is amazing!

You can go out on your own or take a tour, but if you haven’t been before, a guide is recommended. Kayaking at Canaveral National Seashore is really special and you won’t forget the experience of cutting your way through glowing blue waters in night.

• Haulover Canal, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Big Cypress National Preserve

If you’re a kayaker looking for an unforgettable Florida adventure, be sure to check out Big Cypress National Preserve . Bordering the Everglades National Park, Big Cypress is a diverse marine estuary swamp spanning over 700,000 acres. The preserve is home to various plant life and animals, including the endangered Florida panther. There are many trails to explore, but the best time to paddle the waterways is between November and March when temperatures are more tolerable.

For more information, including any paddling trail closures, visit the National Park Services website

Where to launch: 

• Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center – 33000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141 

Kayaking in Florida State Parks on the Gulf Coast

There are several Florida State Parks on the Gulf Coast (west coast of FL) that offer unique salt water kayaking that ISN’T battling currents and ocean waves. While there are still tidal currents to consider on the Gulf side, they aren’t as strong as in the Florida Keys or the Intracoastal Waterway on the Atlantic side.

Honeymoon Island and Caladesi State Park

Just a short drive out of Tampa is one of Florida’s most beloved parks, Honeymoon Island State Park. For those wanting an escape from the city, kayaking the area offers four miles of beach and a virgin pine forest filled with eagles, osprey, and great horned owls, as well as many land animals. Tortoises, raccoons, and armadillos are common. BONUS: with Hurricane Idalia in 2023 displaced flamingos have started to frequent Honeymoon Island State Park. They haven’t been deemed residents yet, but they’ve been seen here since August 2023.

While a ferry shuttles most visitors to the neighboring state park, Caladesi Island, we prefer paddling! Be mindful of larger vessels though as you paddle to Caladesi Island, and say hi to the dolphins for us! Also, there can be strong currents, so be sure you’re safe and smart about your crossing.

For park information, visit the Florida State Parks site . 

• Dunedin Marina , 51 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698 

Cayo Costa State Park

If you’re looking to kayak in a beautiful, natural setting, Cayo Costa State Park is the place for you. With near miles of trails winding their way through three distinct ecosystems, you’ll find plenty to explore. The park’s highlight is the over 8 miles of undeveloped, natural beaches – perfect for finding seclusion and some well-deserved peace and quiet. The park’s numerous islands and passages between them are teeming with wildlife, including manatees, dolphins, alligators, osprey, eagles, and many seabirds. One highlight includes the Manatee Hole, a small lagoon where manatees can be seen year-round.

2022’s Hurricane Ian had a big impact on Cayo Costa State Park, and while the cabins and some facilities on the island are still not fully recovered, the kayaking and paddling routes and sights are still awesome.

For more information, visit the Cayo Costa State Park section of the Florida State Parks website .

• Safe Harbor Pineland – 13921 Waterfront Dr, Bokeelia, FL 33922  

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Looking for a place to kayak and find some peace and quiet? Look no further than the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is located between Marco Island and Everglades City . It is full of mangrove islands, which offer a beautiful landscape of intense green foliage, vivid blue sky, and abundant wildlife. If you’re looking for a kayak trail to tackle, the Sandfly Island trail is perfect for those with moderate kayaking experience.

We talked previously about the 10,000 Islands area (see above) and besides what’s clearly marked as National Park territory, the wildlife refuge covers even more area than this, making it great for kayaking, birdwatching and falling in love with Florida’s parks.

For more information, visit National Park Service website . 

• Gulf Coast Visitor Center 815 Oyster Bar Ln, Everglades City, FL 34139 

North Florida Parks for Kayaking

The sights and nature in North Florida are very different from the Gulf Side or the Florida Keys. From the freshwater springs to braided river deltas, North Florida state parks offer a varied kayaking experiences including paddling with manatees, epic bird watching and paddling through the grass islands of the coast.

Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park is a great place for kayakers to visit, most famous for its glass-bottom boats that help visitors discover one of the nation’s largest springs. This is also one of the best springs to see manatees in Florida . There are plenty of trails and campgrounds to explore, and the river provides a pristine wilderness experience. Beautiful gardens and historic structures surround the main spring, and the park hosts the annual Springsfest celebration.

Kayaking allows you to experience an ancient forest surrounded by sandhills. There are options for an hour paddle or a longer half-day paddle that journeys five miles of the Silver River towards the Ocklawaha River (a personal favorite and rather technical paddle!). If you head into the Ocklawaha, know that there are A LOT OF ALLIGATORS. It’s safe if you’re safe and smart, but it is even intimidating for me, a very experienced Florida State Park kayaker.

For further information on kayaking Silver Springs State Park visit their official website .

• Silver Springs State Park , 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488  

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Kayakers visiting the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve can explore the 6,000 years of human history while enjoying the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks. The preserve offers excellent places for kayaking, and the outfitter, Kayak Amelia , provides rentals and other tours in the area. The region is one of the last unspoiled Atlantic Coast coastal wetlands. This is a wonderful, SUP friendly paddling area.

For further information on kayaking in the area, check out the Timucuan paddling trails .

• Sawpit Creek Boat Ramp , Big Talbot Island State Park
• Pumpkin Hill Kayak Launch , Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park

Kayaking with Manatees at Blue Spring State Park

One of the best places to see manatees in huge numbers, Blue Spring State Park is about an hour from Orlando. Here you’ll find swimming areas, as well and wonderful paddling trails. Kayak rentals are available on a first come first served basis at the state park, and it is a very popular place, so get there early if you don’t have your own gear. March through November you can paddle in the crystal clear run at Blue Spring State Park, but in winter months it is closed to kayaks and SUPs due to the hundreds of manatees that congregate.

Launch from the French’s Landing boat ramp and paddle upstream on the St Johns River for lots of wildlife and interesting waterways. The bend in the river offers access to Snake Creek, which is a tight but beautiful paddle all the way into Hontoon Island State Park .

• French Landing Boat Ramp , 2398 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763

St Augustine National Park Sites for Kayaking

Of course we’re going to share some awesome Florida parks in St Augustine for kayaking and paddling. This is where we live and we love being on the water. We actually have to NPS sites here that you can enjoy from the water: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Fort Matanzas National Monument .

For kayaking by the Castillo de San Marcos, you can launch from either the Vilano Beach Boat Ramp, the St Augustine Lighthouse Boat Ramp, or the marina. The Vilano launch is the easiest with the best parking, the shortest paddle and its own collection of wildlife to watch for as you paddle towards the Castillo.

For kayaking or SUP at Fort Matanzas National Monument, there are two options. You can launch with the outgoing tide from Butler Park in the Crescent Beach area , or you can go to the Fort Matanzas NPS parking area at the Matanzas Inlet bridge. With either of these launches, you cannot actually go to the fort itself, as you must have a ranger with you, but the view of the fort and the wildlife in the Intracoastal Waterway make it all worthwhile!

Recommended Kayaking Tours in near Orlando

We realized many visitors come to Florida visiting Disneyworld and the theme parks in Orlando. The following tours are a suitable alternative to the more adventurous paddling in the national and state parks listed above for those wanting some time on the water. This is ideal for taking a break from the theme parks and getting into nature easily.

• 1.5 hours away – See manatees through a transparent kayak with this tour to Silver Springs State Park .
• 1 hour away – Check out this tour if you are curious about mangrove tunnels and dolphins .
• 1 hour away – Visiting in summer? Go kayaking with bioluminescence in Titusville !

When to Visit Florida for Kayaking

While kayaking is a year round sport in Florida’s state and national parks, visiting in summer means you’ll be paddling in some intense heat. That’s fine if you are well prepared with sun protection and plenty of water, and if you go out in the morning. Visiting in fall and spring is best though, as the temps are more bearable.

Weather in Florida

The best kayak in Florida is typically from late October to early March. These months have relatively low rainfall levels and cooler temperatures without too much heat and humidity. The weather is usually calmer during this time, and you’re more likely to see migratory birds and other wildlife. Keep in mind that there may be more storms later in March and into April.

Summer you will need to be wary of storms, and the possibility of getting hit by lightning, though rare, is very much possible. The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1 and lasts until November 30. The season peaks in August and early October as surface temperatures in the Atlantic hit their highest temperatures. Check out our guide to visiting the Florida Keys in summer for more info.

Need to Know for South Florida

Mosquitoes are a common problem throughout Florida and can ruin a kayaking trip. The best time to kayak in South Florida is winter when the mosquitoes are less prevalent. If you do go during the summer, be sure to take precautions against mosquitoes and use insect repellent. Again, the weather is generally cooler during the winter, making it a better time to kayak. Additionally, the tides are more predictable during this time of year, making it easier to plan your trip. You’ll face mosquitos on the Gulf side and in North Florida, but it’s not as bad as in South Florida.

There are, of course, many more Florida state parks and national park paddling spots than we’ve included here, but these are our top picks for a wide variety of kayaking experiences. If you have any questions or additional suggestions, please leave a comment so we can follow up with you. And you can send us a note too, because we’re all about helping people plan awesome adventures!

Environment | Bright Lit Place: The people who fight for —…

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Environment

Environment | bright lit place: the people who fight for — and depend on — everglades restoration.

Deep in the Everglades, in remote sawgrass marshes few people ever see, Michael Frank points to a faded white, red, black and gold Miccosukee flag that flies above the dock at his family’s tree island.

“We were told to never, ever leave the Everglades. You leave the Everglades, you lose your culture, you lose your language, you lose your identity,” Frank said. “You become just like the outside people.”

Today, unnaturally high water flows under the boardwalks that connect the island’s thatch-roofed chickees. Native plants fight for space with weedy elephant grass, Brazilian pepper and other invasive species.

The flag stays up, Frank said, because it represents the Miccosukee Tribe’s willingness to talk with those outside people to help save the marshes that hold his ancestral tree islands.

The new WLRN podcast  Bright Lit Place , part of the Pulitzer Center’s Connected Coastlines  reporting initiative, examines what happened to Florida’s promise to undo the damage killing the islands and restore the Everglades with a  massive plan  approved in 2000. Work was originally expected to cost just under $8 billion and take about 20 years. The price has now soared to $23 billion and fallen decades behind schedule. Meanwhile, the swamp keeps dying.

Half of the  Everglades tree islands  in Frank’s homeland are  now gone , washed away by high water stored in the marshes after the Everglades was dredged and drained to make way for development. Pig Jaw, Smallpox Tommy, Stinking Hammock and other islands where Frank lived and played as a child remain, but they’re chronically threatened by water.

Without freshwater from the Everglades, mangrove forests that protect the shoreline struggle to keep up with sea rise. Spongy peat soils and sawgrass marshes that help clean and recharge South Florida’s drinking water  continue to collapse . And a menagerie of wildlife, from scarlet-colored roseate spoonbills to marsh rabbits, disappear.

These are some of the people appearing in Bright Lit Place who’ve spent decades waiting for progress. Those hit hardest measure losses in their checkbooks and family businesses, or even their homelands. Others have devoted their careers to the science needed to get restoration done right, working long hours, often in inhospitable conditions, and sometimes, facing fierce opposition.

Fishing Guide Tim Klein

On a postcard perfect day in Florida Bay, fishing guide Tim Klein and his son, James, steer their boats around a small, horseshoe-shaped key crowded with squawking sea birds.

The water ripples with nervous mullet as a small pod of bottlenose dolphins swim nearby. Suddenly, a dolphin breaks the surface, belly up, with a mullet in its mouth.

“That was epic! Did you see that?” an astonished Klein shouted. “See, I give good eco tour.”

Klein, 62, is a champion flats guide with a long list of tournament victories. Years of poling clients to victory in his skiff kept his schedule booked nearly every day with anglers wanting to catch one of the Keys’ cherished sportfish — bonefish, permit or tarpon.

Fewer days get booked now. When they are, Klein usually suggests a day looking for sawfish or sightseeing around the emerald mangrove islands.

“I got all new clientele,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 38 years now, and the people I’ve fished in the past are just not here anymore.”

That’s because it’s getting harder to find those champion sportfish in Florida Bay, where flood control has cut off freshwater and left water chronically salty. High salinity can damage seagrass meadows that harbor shrimp, crab and other prey for the fish.

The bay now gets about half of the freshwater it received a century ago.

“It’s never going to be like it used to be back in the days when my dad was guiding, especially with all the big bonefish and scores of red fish,” said James Klein, 23, the third generation of Kleins to captain a boat.

He does most of his guiding offshore, not the flats that brought his dad so much success. “We used to drive around on my little Hell’s Bay (skiff) and just find schools of hundreds of them.”

That rarely happens now, he said. And Tim Klein is getting tired of waiting.

“We need to change,” he said. “We keep doing the same thing, year after year after year. It’s always waiting for this project and that project — and nothing happens. We just need water some way or another. We need water in our bay before it dies again.”

To hear more from Klein, listen to  episode 1  of  Bright Lit Place .

The Gardeners: Eric Crawford and Tadese Adeagbo

Eric Crawford and Tadese Adeagbo work for the South Florida Water Management District tending to bulrush, lacy hydrilla and other plants that fill 57,000 acres of man-made wetlands where polluted water is cleaned before it flows into the Everglades.

“You didn’t think you’d enjoy sitting in the middle of an industrial wastewater treatment facility. But that’s where we are,” Crawford said as he throttled down on his airboat.

Under an early morning sun, the treatment marshes fill with birds as the brightening air wakes up bugs and ripples with a soft breeze. Alligators slink through the coffee-colored water.

“We are a farm, but we don’t have a crop. We’re the reverse of normal farming,” he said.

Instead of adding nutrients to help grow plants, they use plants to suck up and trap nutrient pollution in the water.

Crawford, 56, and Adeagbo, 34, spend their days on airboats skirting around the marshes. That often means wading into the water where crews hand plant the bulrush to inspect the work.

While the workers toil in water that can be waist-deep, crew chief Ismael Gerena keeps watch for gators from the controls of his airboat.

“You don’t know where they’re at because they stay underwater. So you got to constantly watch out for them,” he said.

There are also snakes, said Juan Hernandez, 60, who started working in the treatment marshes more than a decade ago.

“Some people quit,” he said. “They try it and [don’t] like it because [there are] snakes, alligators. And it’s hard to walk in here.”

Over the years, the hardworking stormwater treatment marshes have removed millions of tons of phosphorus, dramatically reducing what flows south. But they still consistently fail to reach the limit required under a court-ordered clean-up plan.

And managing them has been no easy task. During storms, they switch to flood control to store high water. That means the careful work Crawford and Adeagbo do on clean-up can get wiped out by a tropical storm.

“You don’t get two different teams,” Crawford said. “You get one piece of land to do both.”

To hear more from Crawford and Adeagbo, listen to  episode 3  of  Bright Lit Place .

Hydrologist Tom Van Lent

After more than four decades working on Everglades restoration, hydrologist Tom Van Lent is considered among the leading experts on how the swamp works.

“He’s absolutely one of the top hydrologists that’s ever studied the Everglades from a technical perspective,” said Robert Johnson, who retired as the director of the National Park Services’ science center where he helped steer restoration for 40 years. “People go to Tom to learn about the Everglades.”

A lawsuit filed by Van Lent’s former bosses at the Everglades Foundation in 2022 now threatens to undo that legacy and  send him to jail .

Van Lent began his Everglades career out of graduate school at the South Florida Water Management District, the state partner in restoration, then moved to the National Park Service’s science center, where he helped create the models that set the course for restoration work.

“My father and grandfather were very good carpenters and they said it’s not the tools that make a good carpenter. And it’s the same with models,” said Van Lent. “You have to kind of know how to use them.”

Van Lent’s models helped redefine restoration before the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration plan passed in 2000, when he argued that benefits to the park would not arrive for three decades. In 2005, the Everglades Foundation convinced him to join the nonprofit to build its science team.

“I was just known for just speaking what I thought and would speak truth to power. And they, at the time, admired that,” he said.

But in 2016, that doggedness got him into trouble when he objected to a controversial Everglades reservoir. After lawmakers dramatically scaled back the original plan from 60,000 acres to 17,000 acres, Van Lent worried treatment marshes were too small to clean water from the much deeper reservoir. The Army Corps and U.S. Department of Interior also raised objections. The Everglades Coalition, an umbrella group for more than six dozen environmental groups across the state, also objected.

Van Lent stepped aside as chief scientist, he said, as tension worsened.

He finally quit in 2022 and on his last day tweeted that he was going to work for another conservation group, Friends of the Everglades, that put “science over politics.” Two weeks later the Foundation sued, filing a sealed complaint that accused him of stealing trade secrets. A judge ordered him to stop downloading information from any computer and in May found Van Lent violated the injunction. The judge also ordered Van Lent to pay the Foundation’s legal bills, totaling $178,000.

In December, Van Lent filed for bankruptcy. At his December sentencing hearing, his wife Lois, 66, said she’s going back to work.

More than two decades ago when he pointed out that flaw in the original restoration plan, Van Lent took a huge risk to ensure restoration was done right, Stuart Pimm, a leading expert in extinction biology, said at the hearing.

“That was a very courageous thing to do academically,” Pimm testified. “It was … even a more courageous thing to do politically and it represented to me the extraordinary commitment to getting the story right and doing the science properly that has characterized everything I’ve seen Tom do.”

To hear more from Van Lent, listen to  episode 4  of  Bright Lit Place .

Beekeeper Rene Curtis Pratt

Keg-sized bees hover over windows and honey oozes from a comb on a two-story mural outside the Harold P. Curtis Honey Co., a block from the Caloosahatchee River in tiny LaBelle.

Inside, honey is everywhere: in plastic bears and jars, in soaps and candles that line shelves against golden yellow walls.

Rene Curtis Pratt, 65, runs the store her grandfather started nearly 70 years ago. She added the mural a few years ago to highlight the plight of honeybees and the fading honey industry that once flourished around LaBelle.

Before sugarcane dominated the landscape, cattle and citrus groves filled its saw palmetto prairies. This was the land of juice and honey. Now, it’s a landscape increasingly crowded with planned communities like Timber Creek, Savanna Lakes and Liberty Shores.

Since Hurricane Irma came through in 2017, “This place has exploded,” Pratt said. And that’s bad news for beekeepers.

“People want bees on their property, but yet they don’t want them to sting them or their kids or their horses or their cows,” she said.

It’s another trend getting in the way of restoration. As Florida’s population swelled, housing spread further inland, backing up to the Everglades’ borders. Where farm fields once replaced prairies and wetlands, gated communities now fill fallow fields.

All that growth has helped worsen the state’s water problems, with more stormwater and leaking septic tanks fouling Lake Okeechobee and the coastal estuaries connected to it.

Pratt grew up running between her house next to the store and her grandfather’s riverfront house a short walk away.

“We would jump down there and we’d swim in there and there’s gators everywhere. They wouldn’t bother us,” she said. “Now, I wouldn’t get in that river to save my life.”

Last year, Pratt stopped selling her own hive-raised honey in the store and instead buys it from beekeepers located farther away. She also sold the last of her hives.

“I didn’t tell my husband. I didn’t tell my children. Nobody for about six months,” she said, breaking into tears. “And it hurt my heart and my soul.”

To hear more from Pratt, listen to  episode 6  of  Bright Lit Place .

Wetlands Ecologist Evelyn Gaiser

Evelyn Gaiser grew up exploring frigid wetlands in Ohio, camping along the shores of Lake Huron. South Florida lured her to its buggy marshes in the late 1990s with a chance to work in one of the world’s largest wetlands. At the time, some of the most exciting new science was unfolding in the Everglades.

“I came in at the time when we were writing the Yellow Book, the plan for fixing everything,” she said. “All these different contingencies were planned, all these complicated trade-offs were understood. People were really careful in trying to get that plan right.”

Gaiser, 56, was part of the team working with biologist Ron Jones to establish limits for phosphorus, the nutrient from fertilizer choking the marshes by fueling thick stands of cattails and killing the floating mats of periphyton that feed wildlife.

“You could fly into Miami on a plane and notice from the air these expansive areas of cattail,” Gaiser said. “Just as far as you can look, you see cattails.”

But Jones had a plan: build vast treatment marshes south of sprawling sugarcane fields where plants could soak up the nutrient pollution.

Gaiser spent the next five years studying the effects of phosphorus in a remote part of the park untouched by pollution in experimental plots as long as a football field.

“What we discovered was that that very, very low, barely measurable level of enrichment above that extremely low background level was enough to catalyze a full cascade of changes resulting ultimately in a cattail invasion into this very pristine part of the Everglades,” she said.

Evidence that even small increases in phosphorus triggered catastrophic changes confirmed the need for Jones’ costly clean-up plan. That drew fire from both the state and sugar growers.

“It was very controversial because we were going up against the interests of the agricultural industry that drives a lot of the economy in Florida,” she said.

The scientists prevailed and the limit remains in place. A court-ordered deadline for the state to begin showing it will meet the limit for phosphorus pollution is set for 2025. All these years later, Gaiser is dismayed that work to reconnect the river of grass and repair the Everglades has gone so slowly.

“It’s happening in small areas, but it needs to be that on a massive scale, on the scale that created the problem in the first place,” she said.

You can hear more from Gaiser in  episode 5  of  Bright Lit Place .

Tribal Elder Michael Frank

Growing up, Frank lived on tree islands, moving within the swampy patches of high ground shared by the tribe.

Even before he was born, the islands were starting to disappear, as the Central and South Florida flood system took shape in the 1940s. The tribe often gathered for celebrations and meetings on a large island called New Town. When the Army Corps dredged a canal to drain farm fields to the north, it split the island in in two.

As flood control pushed more water into the vast conservation area west of Miami, Frank was forced to move more frequently. His family finally fled the islands, he said, when the Army Corps dredged a levee near the Tamiami Trail.

“Back in 1949 or ’48, when my grandpa and grandma moved in, that’s when they started working on the levees,” he said.

“And when they were working on that, they told my grandfather and grandmother, ‘If that day ever comes when your island goes underwater, we’ll come and build up your camp,’ which they never did. It went three, four feet under water, but they never came and built the camps up.”

Today, Frank and his uncle still camp on Rice Island, about seven miles north of the Tamiami Trail. He gets around the boardwalks with a walking stick now. Age has left his hands crimped and knotted. He’s had to rebuild his dock as water rises. But he keeps his flags flying.

To hear more from Frank, listen to  episode 1  of  Bright Lit Place .

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