Activities in The Everglades
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Wilderness Waterway & 10,000 Islands
The finest way to experience the serenity and beauty of the Everglades - which is somehow desolate yet lush, tropical yet foreboding - is by canoeing or kayaking through the excellent network of waterways that skirt the northwest portion of the park. The 10,000 Islands consist of many (but not really 10,000) tiny islands and a mangrove swamp that hug the southwesternmost border of Florida.
The Wilderness Waterway, a 99-mile path between Everglades City and Flamingo, is the longest canoe trail in the area, but there are shorter trails near Flamingo.
Most islands are fringed by narrow beaches with sugar-white sand, but note that the water is brackish, not clear, and very sh…
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Pelican
The area around Flamingo Visitor Center was damaged by Hurricane Wilma, and its restaurants and lodges were closed when we visited, but you can still rent boats or go on a backcountry boat tour with the Pelican; a 1½-hour sailing schooner tour (adult/child/sunset around US$22/around US$14/around US$33) is also available. Or rent a canoe (hr/day/half-day around US$8/around US$22/$32) or sea kayak (half-day/day $35/$45) and explore the channels and islands of Florida Bay on your own.
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Canoeing & Kayaking
From Flamingo, hit the visitor's center for a map of local canoe trails, such as the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail, a 5.5-mile loop that leads you into Florida Bay. You can rent canoes and kayaks at the Flamingo Marina, and be transported to various trailheads for an additional fee. For extensive kayak trips and kayak camping, make a beeline to the Gulf Coast center, which also rents canoes for three-, five- or eight-hour day-trips around the 10,000 Islands.
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North American Canoe Tours
North American Canoe Tours rents out camping equipment and canoes for full/half days ($35/$25) and touring kayaks ($45 to $65). You get 20% off most of these services and rentals if you’re staying at the Ivey House Bed & Breakfast, which runs the tours. Tours shuttle you to places such as Chokoloskee Island, Collier Seminole State Park, Rabbit Key or Tiger Key for afternoon or overnight excursions ($25 to $450).
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Gulf Coast - Picnic Area & Boat Cruise
The northwest park entrance, Gulf Coast, near Everglades City, has a small waterfront complex offering a picnic area with gorgeous vistas, plus daily boat tours which take you into the mangrove estuary of the Gulf of Mexico, motoring around the 10,000 Islands, where you'll see dolphins, roseate spoonbills, alligators, eagles and the occasional manatee. The main activity out of the Gulf Coast center, though, is kayaking.
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Seminole Safari excursions
Seminole Safari excursions offer day (adult/child around US$49/around US$34) and overnight (adult/child around US$110/around US$90) very touristy packages. Overnights include sleeping in a screened-in chickee, listening to campfire storytelling, taking an airboat or swamp buggy ride and having Indian meals (catfish, fry bread, gator nuggets).
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Coastal Prairie Trail
The 7.5-mile (one-way) Coastal Prairie Trail follows an old road once used by cotton pickers; it's only partially shaded by buttonwood trees, so bring plenty of sunscreen.
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Boat Cruises
Flamingo Lodge Marina & Outpost Resort has naturalist-lead boat tours through the backcountry for two hours and sailboat cruises on a 50ft schooner.
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Otter Cave Hammock Trail
In Shark Valley, the easy Otter Cave Hammock Trail, which enters a tropical hardwood hammock, is a one-mile round-trip walk from the visitor's center.
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Flamingo Marina
The Flamingo Marina offers boat rentals and tours, plus a store where you can buy food and supplies.
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