From Miami: Everglades Tour w/ Wet Walk, Boat Trips, & Lunch

Discover the Unique Everglades Experience from Miami for $389

For those eager to explore Florida’s iconic wetlands, the Everglades Tour with Wet Walk, Boat Trips, & Lunch offers a comprehensive day out. Priced at $389 per person, this 9-hour adventure from Miami includes two boat rides, a wet walk with a biologist, lunch at a local restaurant, and visits to national parks. It’s a well-rounded choice for nature lovers wanting an immersive encounter with native wildlife and landscapes.

This tour shines with its expert guides, longer boat trips, and exclusive permits to all South Florida National Parks. However, it’s best suited for active participants comfortable with walking in marshy water and spending a full day outdoors. Its detailed itinerary and focus on eco-tourism make it stand out among typical swamp tours.

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Key Points

• Price and Duration: Priced at $389 for a 9-hour day trip from Miami.
• Wildlife and Nature: Spot dolphins, manatees, alligators, and rare birds on the boat rides.
• Exclusive Tours: Only ecotour company permitted in all South Florida National Parks, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Dry Tortugas.
• Activities Included: A wet walk led by a biologist, airboat ride, mangrove boat tour, and visits to a tree island village.
• Small Group Experience: Limited to 14 participants, with live English guides and small group intimacy.
• Convenience: Hotel pickup and drop-off included, along with snacks and drinks all day.

Starting Point and Transportation Logistics in Miami

The tour begins with a hotel pickup in a new Sprinter van marked “Wild Lime Adventures”. Once onboard, a narrated scenic drive takes travelers out to the Everglades, setting the scene for a day in natural Florida. The small group size ensures personal attention and a relaxed environment throughout the journey.

Round-trip transportation is included, making logistics straightforward without the need for self-driving or extra planning. This adds convenience and comfort from start to finish.

Exploring the Everglades with a Biologist on a Wet Walk

The wet walk is a standout feature, guided by an experienced naturalist. Expect to walk through marshy water up to mid-thigh, with water shoes and walking sticks provided. The walk takes place under a beautiful canopy of bald cypress trees, offering excellent opportunities for photographs and close encounters with rare orchids, bromeliads, and wildlife like alligators, turtles, fish, and snakes.

This experience offers a rare chance to see the Everglades’ ecology firsthand while walking in a mostly flat but occasionally uneven terrain. The biologist guide enhances the walk with informative commentary about the ecosystem and its inhabitants.

Airboat Ride to a Remote Tree Island Village

Next, the tour features a 75-minute airboat ride across the “River of Grass”, a classic Florida experience. The boat travels to a remote tree island village, where travelers can observe native American history and learn why these isolated ecosystems are vital. During the ride, keep an eye out for endangered species like the Everglades snail kite, along with alligators, herons, and other bird species.

The airboat’s speed and open design make it an exciting way to view the landscape and wildlife from a different perspective. The visit emphasizes ecological preservation and cultural history.

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Scenic Boat Ride of the 10,000 Islands

After lunch in Everglades City at a local, Old Florida-style restaurant, the tour continues with an 80-minute boat ride through the 10,000 Islands of the Everglades National Park. This cruise offers chances to see dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and even sawfish and sharks in their natural environment.

The boat also visits a remote beach, where travelers can explore the pristine surroundings and observe the delicate ecosystem. The longer duration and expert narration make this boat trip a highlight, providing a detailed look at the diverse marine and birdlife.

Visiting Cultural and Historical Sites in the Everglades

The tour includes stops at a historic trading post and a local museum, adding cultural insight to the natural experience. Visitors also enjoy a visit to a famous photographer’s gallery, giving a visual perspective on the area’s beauty and significance. These stops enrich the day, blending ecology with cultural history, without the typical tourist crowds.

Food, Drinks, and Refreshments Throughout the Day

Included in the tour is a lunch, ordered from a local restaurant, offering a chance to unwind and enjoy Florida-style cuisine. Plus, snacks and drinks are available all day, ensuring hydration and energy for the full itinerary. Travelers are advised to bring a change of clothes and long pants for the wet walk, with the dry clothes stored conveniently during other activities.

Accessibility, Physical Requirements, and Group Size

The wet walk is mostly flat but involves walking in marshy water, which may be uneven, requiring participants to be comfortable with water activity. The tour is wheelchair accessible and held in a small group limited to 14 people, ensuring personalized guidance and fewer crowds. Children under 5 years are not suitable for this tour.

Guided Expertise and Naturalist-led Activities

Guides, including a biologist during the wet walk, are experts in their fields. The tour emphasizes ecotourism and excludes animal shows, focusing instead on authentic wildlife observation in its natural habitat. The guides’ knowledge and storytelling add depth to each activity.

Permits and Exclusive Access in National Parks

This tour is unique because Wild Lime Adventures holds the only permits for all three key parks: Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Dry Tortugas. This privilege ensures access to areas others cannot visit, providing a more exclusive and less crowded experience for participants.

Extra Details: Booking, Cancellation, and Flexibility

Booking can be made with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip, offering flexibility for changing plans. Travelers can reserve now and pay later, making it easier to fit this adventure into a travel schedule. The tour is live-guided in English, with pickup and drop-off included for convenience.

Exploring the Deep Connection Between Nature and Culture in the Everglades

This tour offers a balanced blend of wildlife encounters, cultural insights, and adventure activities. The combination of airboat rides, wet walk, and boat excursions makes it a comprehensive exploration suitable for nature enthusiasts who appreciate expert guidance and authentic ecological experiences.

While the full-day format might be demanding for some, the quality of the activities, notably the wet walk led by a biologist and the longer boat trips, justify the price. The small group size ensures a personalized experience, and the permit exclusivity guarantees access to less-visited areas.

Who Will Find This Tour Most Valuable?

This tour appeals to adventurous travelers eager to see wildlife in its natural habitat, learn about the native ecosystems, and experience Florida’s wetlands beyond the tourist spots. It is especially suited for those interested in ecology, birdwatching, and native American history. The physical activity involved in the wet walk makes it less suitable for very young children or those with mobility issues, but it remains an excellent choice for active nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the entire tour?
The tour lasts approximately 9 hours, including transportation, activities, and meals.

What is included in the price?
The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, unlimited snacks and drinks, entry tickets to Everglades and Big Cypress, the wet walk, airboat ride, lunch, and scenic boat tour.

Is the tour suitable for children?
Children under the age of 5 are not recommended, mainly due to the physical activity involved in the wet walk.

Do I need to bring anything?
Participants should bring a change of clothes and long pants for the wet walk. Water shoes and walking sticks are provided.

Are the guides knowledgeable?
Yes, guides are experts, including a biologist for the wet walk, ensuring informative and engaging commentary.

Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes, cancellations are free if made up to 24 hours in advance.

What makes this tour different from others?
It is the only ecotour company permitted in all three major parks, offers longer boat trips, and emphasizes authentic wildlife observation instead of shows.

Is this tour accessible?
The tour is wheelchair accessible and designed to accommodate most participants, with some uneven walking sections on the wet walk.

How many people are in the group?
Groups are limited to 14 participants, providing a more intimate experience.

What wildlife might I see?
Expect to see dolphins, manatees, alligators, and various birds like roseate spoonbills and pelicans.

Can I expect a cultural experience?
Yes, the visit to a tree island village and stops at a historic trading post add cultural depth to the natural adventure.

This Everglades tour from Miami offers a comprehensive, expert-led experience that balances adventure, wildlife, and cultural insights. With long boat trips, a guided wet walk, and exclusive access to protected parks, it provides a deep, authentic connection to Florida’s most iconic wetlands. Perfect for those wanting a full-day exploration packed with learning and discovery.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby