- Ages 12+
- 2 hours
Explore the cypress domes of the Florida Everglades with a naturalist from the Everglades Institute. Learn about the plants and animals that call these cypress domes and sloughs home with this informative wet walk!
Quick Details
Duration: 6 hours (Bring a lunch with you.)
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Available Days: Every day
Age Limit: Ages 12 and older
Activity: Boat through Florida Bay, Kayak the East Cape Canal, and visit Cape Sable’s natural beach
Important Information:
- Please be aware this program is best suited for adventurous visitors. We will be in the backcountry of Everglades National Park where safe but close observations of crocodiles can occur.
- For the safety of all our guests, there is a maximum weight limit of 275 for all in-water activities. This includes kayaking. There is no weight limit for guests who are not engaging in an in-water activity.
- For the safety of all our guests, guests must be able to climb a four-step vertical ladder without assistance. This ladder will be used to get on and off the boat when participating in an in-water activity.
Cruise, Paddle & Beach Visit in the Everglades
Want to fully immerse yourself in the stunning and unique Everglades National Park? Join us for an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path program, offered every day!
You will board our 6-passenger powerboat at the Flamingo docks and after a ride through Florida Bay embark on a guided kayak paddle through the mangroves of Lake Ingram. You can look for crocodiles, manatees, and birds including the rare roseate spoonbill. You’ll walk the beach of Cape Sable on the southwestern tip of mainland Florida surrounded by the quiet of nature.
You will be guided by a USCG Licenced Captain who is also an Institute Naturalist. We will share how the local ecosystems and wildlife work together in this amazing, unique place. You will learn about the history of the park and the early settlers in this area. We love the beauty this area has to offer and will help you learn to be good stewards of the National Park, preserving its unique habitats for generations to come. And most importantly, we will have a blast doing it!
For paddling in Florida Bay and along the mangroves, we supply kayaks and paddles. We will have drinking water available, please bring a refillable container to minimize trash. Please bring lunch, hats, reef-safe sunscreen, and polarized sunglasses with eyeglass lanyards for better viewing.
Florida Bay boat trips start and end at the Flamingo Marina (please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure).
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Your trip will start in the Flamingo Visitor Center located at 1 Flamingo Lodge Hwy, Homestead, FL 33034. This is located 37 miles, about 45 minutes- 1 hour, after the Everglades National Park Homestead entrance gate.
Upon arrival, please check in at our Park store inside the Guy Bradley Visitor Center. Your Captain will be waiting at the store to check you in.
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This activity is for active adults and kids over 12 who have experience paddling.
All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
To best accommodate you and make your trip safe and enjoyable, please make a note in your reservation or privately notify your naturalist:
- You have any recent surgeries
- You are prone to sea sickness
- You have any back injuries
- You have any medical conditions and allergies
- You are pregnant
- You have any other concerns regarding your safety and health
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We recommend bringing the following items for this tour:
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Lunch and snacks
- Bug Repellent and/or bug jacket
We will have drinking water available, please bring a refillable container to minimize trash.
We will not provide lunch on this trip; there is a Flamingo Marina Store near the Flamingo Visitor Center where you can purchase some last minute snacks.
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To closely explore the mangrove forests, we supply double kayaks and paddles.
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No printing is necessary. You can even complete the waivers on your phone! Adults over the age of 18 must complete and submit their waiver. Minors ages 17 and younger must have a parent or legal guardian complete and submit a waiver on behalf of the minor. For paddling activities there are separate waivers for adults and minors, please be sure you are completing the appropriate waiver. To complete the waiver process, you will need to confirm your email address through an email that will be sent by Smartwaiver.
Paddling is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, is relatively safe. However, there are certain medical conditions that increase risk. If you have a medical condition described on the Medical Statement or any other condition that would be contrary to safe participation in any in-water activities, you must provide documentation that you sought the advice of a physician prior to engaging in paddling activities.
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What wildlife will I see on this trip?
- We cannot guarantee any wildlife sightings but sometimes we encounter fish, dolphins, wading birds, diving birds, shorebirds, crocodiles, etc.
Can I bring food with me?
- Yes, food is recommended to bring with you. Please make sure your lunch and snacks are easy to eat and not messy.
Can I buy food in the park before my trip?
- Yes, food can be purchased at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center as well as at the Marina Store adjacent to the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo.
What kind of kayaks will be provided?
- Single or double inflatable kayaks will be provided for the kayak portion of the trip. These have back support plus room to bring a bag or small backpack with you.
Are there any bathrooms on this trip?
- No. You will be in the backcountry where it is primitive. Please use the restrooms at the Guy Bradley Visitor Center before your trip and talk to your Naturalist about bathroom usage in the backcountry.
What is a Naturalist?
- Our tour guides, Naturalists, are continuous students of the natural world and provide interpretive, educational, and historical programs in South Florida’s National Parks. Each are trained by the National Park Service to ensure they are equipped with and can provide the most up to date information, research, and opportunities when connecting with guests.
What does interpretation mean?
- Interpretation is a purposeful form of communication that seeks to translate the world around us. Our Naturalists help interpret the natural environment, history, research, etc. to support guests in broadening their perspectives, deepening their understanding, and inspiring them to cultivate meaningful connections with South Florida’s National Parks.