From Miami & Fort Lauderdale: Airboat Tour and Guided Nature Walk

Glide across the Everglades on a one-hour airboat ride and join a naturalist-led nature walk—departing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

Getting started:

Begin your adventure with convenient transportation from select Miami or Fort Lauderdale locations. Meet your guide at the Everglades National Park entrance, where you’ll receive a brief introduction and safety overview before boarding the airboat.

What to expect:

Everglades National Park

Explore one of North America’s most iconic wetlands, renowned for its unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife. Your guide, a knowledgeable naturalist, shares insights into the park’s significance and the habitats you’ll encounter.

Features:

• Airboat ride: Experience a one-hour journey through the Everglades’ sawgrass marshes, offering a close look at native flora and fauna.

• Guided nature walk: Join your naturalist for a walk along park trails, where you’ll learn about local plants, animal tracks, and the delicate balance of this subtropical environment.

• Hald-day experience: Enjoy a well-paced outing that combines thrilling exploration with expert interpretation, perfect for those seeking an authentic glimpse of Florida’s wild side.

From Miami & Fort Lauderdale: Airboat Tour and Guided Nature Walk

Discover the Everglades National Park on this full-day guided tour that includes round-trip transportation from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and cruise ports. The tour offers a one-hour airboat ride through the River of Grass, a 1.5-hour dry walking trail in UNESCO-listed habitats, and a narrated drive to set the stage for your adventure. Guests will visit Everglades National Park, where they can experience wildlife sightings such as alligators, birds, and fish up close; explore Shark Valley, with its iconic 7-mile tram road and observation tower; take part in an interactive educational program at Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center; and enjoy a guided tour of Anhinga Trail. The park covers over 1.5 million acres, making it the third-largest national park in the contiguous United States. Established in 1947, Everglades National Park is home to diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests, sawgrass prairies, and pine rockland habitats. Shark Valley's tram road offers panoramic views of the park’s unique landscapes while providing a chance to spot wildlife from elevated vantage points. The Anhinga Trail features boardwalks that wind through dense vegetation where visitors can observe alligators basking in the sun and wading birds like herons and egrets. Tourists spend approximately 25 minutes at Shark Valley, one hour on the airboat ride, and 1.5 hours walking through designated trails. This tour is unique because it combines multiple experiences into one day, providing a comprehensive view of the Everglades' rich biodiversity and cultural significance. The guided nature walk offers insights into the park's ecology that are not available in standard tourist guides.

Explore Shark Valley

Your tour stops at Shark Valley where guests can marvel at panoramic views from the 65-foot observation tower built in 1984, part of a larger ecosystem spanning over 70,000 acres. The tram road offers access to diverse wildlife habitats including freshwater marshes and sawgrass prairies. Visitors spend about 25 minutes here, learning about the park’s conservation efforts and ecological importance from knowledgeable guides. Shark Valley is unique due to its elevated vantage points that allow for unobstructed views of alligators basking in the sun and wading birds flying overhead. This area is crucial for understanding the Everglades' intricate balance between water flow, plant life, and animal behavior.

Experience Anhinga Trail

At Anhinga Trail, guests can walk along boardwalks that wind through dense vegetation, providing opportunities to observe alligators basking in the sun and wading birds like herons and egrets. Established in 1960, this trail is one of the most popular spots for wildlife viewing within Everglades National Park, covering approximately half a mile with interpretive signs detailing local flora and fauna. Visitors spend roughly an hour here, engaging with interactive educational programs that enhance their understanding of ecosystem dynamics. Anhinga Trail stands out as it offers up-close encounters with native species in their natural habitats, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Visit Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

Your tour includes a stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center where guests can learn about the park’s history and ecology through exhibits and educational programs. The visitor center, established in 1950, is located near the entrance of Everglades National Park and covers over 26,000 square feet with interactive displays showcasing the park's flora and fauna. Visitors spend around 30 minutes here, engaging with knowledgeable staff who provide insights into conservation efforts and ecological significance. This center serves as a hub for information about guided tours, wildlife sightings, and educational programs offered throughout the year.

Tour Highlights

• One-hour airboat ride through River of Grass
• 1.5-hour dry walk in UNESCO-listed habitats
• Audio guide available in English and Spanish
• Interactive educational program at Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
• Guided tour of Anhinga Trail with interpretive signs
• Panoramic views from Shark Valley observation tower
• Round-trip transportation from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and cruise ports
• Park entry fees, ponchos, sunscreen, binoculars, and eco water bottle provided

Perfect for nature enthusiasts, families, and wildlife photographers, this guided tour provides unparalleled access to the Everglades' unique ecosystems. The full-day format allows you to experience Shark Valley's panoramic views, explore Anhinga Trail up close, and learn about conservation efforts at Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, giving you a comprehensive understanding of Miami’s natural wonders while enjoying interactive educational programs.