The full Everglades experience
From Fort Myers we go west, not east: a walk on the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, a small-boat cruise inside Everglades National Park, lunch in Everglades City, the 1906 Smallwood’s Store and an hour on the airboat in the Western Everglades.
Fort Myers sits at the western edge of the Everglades, and the tour from here looks different from the Fort Lauderdale version: instead of Big Cypress cypress forest you walk the coastal prairie of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, then take a small boat into the mangrove islands of Everglades National Park before lunch in Everglades City.
The afternoon belongs to the airboat. An hour on the water through pond apple swamps, with roseate spoonbills and wood storks working the edges and more alligators per acre than almost anywhere in the state. Your guide is a biologist or naturalist who grew up around this water — several of our guides came to us from zoos, universities and wildlife agencies.
Pickup is included from Perkins on Tamiami Trail, Embassy Suites in Estero and Target on Tarpon Bay Blvd in Naples, plus the Hampton Inn Fort Myers Beach/Sanibel Gateway for guests on Sanibel and Captiva.
Not included: gratuities, and anything you buy at the museum gift shop or along the way.
Times are approximate — your guide will tell you the plan for the day at pickup and adjust it to the water, the weather and the wildlife.
Your naturalist collects you and heads east into the Western Everglades.
An easy one-mile round trip through coastal prairie and hardwood hammock, with the refuge’s wading birds overhead.
A small boat into the Ten Thousand Islands inside Everglades National Park, threading mangrove islands that most visitors never see.
The 1906 trading post first, then a sit-down lunch with a drink included.
An hour on the water through pond apple swamps with more alligators per acre than almost anywhere in Florida.
Return to Fort Myers, Estero, Naples or Sanibel.
Round-trip pickup is included from the points below. If you are staying in Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs or Naples we can often collect you directly from your hotel on a private tour — call to arrange it.
Travellers who want the whole Everglades in one day, with someone else doing the driving. Best for ages six and up, for couples, and for families whose children can manage an easy mile on foot.
★★★★★
“We planned to just venture through the park on our own but decided to book a tour instead. So happy we did. Pete, our guide, was a wealth of knowledge and so passionate about this unique habitat. It was also very convenient and professional. Rather than just ‘look’ at the Everglades, I felt like we got to ‘experience’ the Everglades. Book with confidence.”
Danya J., Lenexa, Kansas · Yelp
★★★★★
“We took this tour on our honeymoon, and it was one of our more memorable experiences! The tour guide was absolutely the best there is. We visited so many wonderful locations you would never know were there unless you lived here. My wife and I learned a lot. We’re really glad we took this trip, and highly recommend it for anyone else who enjoys nature.”
Nathan G. · TripAdvisor
Before you book
Plan on about nine hours from pickup to drop-off, roughly 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. from Fort Lauderdale and 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. from Miami, including transport. From Fort Myers the day runs 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; from Naples and Estero, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Yes. Lunch in Everglades City and a drink are included, with seafood, burgers, sandwiches and vegetarian dishes on the menu. Tell us about allergies when you book — all food is prepared in one kitchen.
About one mile at an easy pace from Fort Lauderdale, and 1.6 miles from Fort Myers and Naples, with plenty of stops. You can walk as far as you like, as fast as you like.
Closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, a light layer and a camera. We carry ponchos and insect repellent.
Free cancellation when you call at least 48 hours before your pickup time. Inside 48 hours we charge $25 per person. No-shows are not refunded.
Yes — wild alligator sightings are guaranteed on the airboat. Dolphins, turtles and wading birds are common; manatees and panthers are rare and never promised.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup. Reservations close at 5 p.m. the day before the tour.
