Everglades Tours from Miami

Written by Viator, February 2013

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:
Must-Do Experience, Nature & Wildlife, Tip - What to See & Do, Walking/Hiking, National Park

At 1.5 million acres, the Everglades National Park is one of the richest subtropical ecosystems in the world, and it’s the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. An astounding ecological wilderness, this protected treasure is right at your Miami doorstep and is perhaps the best use of time spent outdoors while in Miami (that glorious beach notwithstanding).

Exploring the reed banks and swamps can be done any way you like. Full day tours offer hikes, air-conditioned vans, and even exciting airboat rides zipping along coastal waters. Alternatively, many Miami residents prefer to spend a quick day trip exploring Shark Valley, a 15-mile paved loop of road which extends out into the heart of the Everglades. On this loop, an observation deck extends out into the teeming Everglades, giving visitors a chance to get out and try and spot some wildlife without leaving site of their cars.

Half-day tours are also exciting, many offering a chance to get personal with the environment through hands-on reptile handling and fishing tours. Alternatively, the eco-tourist and adventurer will prefer the Everglades via kayak, canoe, bicycle, or even the night airboat tour. So much fun and excitement can be had seeing manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, ultra-rare orchids and the elusive panther.

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All Everglades Tours from Miami Reviews

Reply by Viator, May 2013
Doing what: Miami Combo Tour: City Sightseeing, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride

Brilliant. Would definitely recommend the Everglades it's so much fun!

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Reply by Viator, May 2013
Doing what: Miami Combo Tour: City Sightseeing, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride

Great tour. Few comments: bus was ran down, rain was pouring but - guides were great, we saw Miami in nutshell! Had blast at Everglades.
The funniest thing was that 2 weeks after we were on this tour we got a call to get outside of the hotel as bus is waiting for us! we would love to join tour again, but long time returned home.

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Reply by Viator, May 2013
Doing what: Miami Combo Tour: City Sightseeing, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride

You get a comprehensive bus tour of the major Miami areas (downtown, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach) with lots of information. Then you get a quick stop in Little Havana (we had 20 min). Of course we had to grab some food there. Had an excellent Cuban sandwich. Would have liked more time in Little Havana but we made the most of our 20 min (sandwich and potty break). After that we got a boat ride on Biscayne bay. The tour said yacht ride. Not a yacht. But it was a boat and it was a beautiful boat ride. Saw lots of celebrity homes on the bay. Then we got back on the bus for the trip to the Everglades. It poured once we got there (so bring ponchos unless you want to buy them there). The rain didn't stop us from having a blast. It started with an alligator show. We all got to see a teeny tiny alligator and then got to watch the trainer with a bigger alligator. After that, we got to go on an airboat ride that was one of the highlights of my trip. The rain was pelting us in the face because of the speed of the boat but it was still fun. The captain did turns and went fast and it was amazing. We saw 3 alligators and a snake or two. What an amazing part of the country!

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Practical Info

The easiest way to reach the Everglades from Miami is via the Tamiami Trail, a strip of pavement 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike which will take you to the Shark Valley Visitors Center. Ernest F. Coe Visitor’s Center is the main visitor’s center for the Everglades Park, located just southwest of Homestead and Florida City via State highway 9336, and an additional 15 miles south of Miami.