r/Everglades

We're going to Miami for just a couple days next week and ideally don't want to rent a car. Is it doable to do some kind of airboat tour to see some of the everglades or surrounding area + wildlife and not have to rent a car? I was of course looking at the Miccosukee options but then not sure if we could get there without our own car (shuttle/public transit/tuk tuk/black hole). Just trying to see if it's feasible or if we're in denial...
We love to hike so if there's any specific trail that makes it doubly worth the car rental, let me know!

Hey guys i have been renting kayaks from flamingo but want to get my own. I just recently spent 3 nights out in the hells bay area with my 10 year old daughter and i want to do the wilderness waterway, 10,000 islands and east cape sable this upcoming cool season.

Is the Malibu two XL ocean kayak the best tandem sit on top kayak? I’d have to get something added so i can mount a GPS on it. Or do you recommend something else? Something with more storage? I feel pretty dedicated to paddling but should i consider a pedal kayak like hobie compass duo? I’ve never used a peddle kayak before, would i be able to use it as a paddle kayak just as easily, or like one day paddle, one day peddle so i my arms/legs get less tired on the wilderness waterway? Lol

Also what kayak stores should i look at? I’m going to be going to Florida bay outfitters soon

Purely based on Google maps, Reddit, AllTrails, and NPS website I created the following itinerary. Is this feasible?? Also any other places you recommend stopping?

Day 1

Pick up rental 10:30AM

🚙 Drive to Everglades NP (1hr 15min) 
836 & 997 & Homestead

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

Hit Trails (in order):
Anhinga 
Gumbo Limbo
Pineland 
Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook
Mahogany Hammock

🚙 Drive to The National Hotel (1hr 40min)

Day 2

🚙 Drive to Shark Valley Tram Tour Meeting Point (1hr +)

9:00 - 11:00 AM - Shark Valley Tram Tour 
- Arrive 30 mins before
- 2 hours duration

🚙 Drive to Kayak Meeting Point (~ 50 mins)
25.941056,-81.469194

🛶 1:00 - 4:30PM - Kayak with Jenny's Eco Everglades Wilderness Tours

🚙 Drive back to the National Hotel via Loop Road Scenic Drive

Could you help me identify this bird? Photo taken on the Anhiga Trail at Royal Palm last week. Is it a gray heron?? The wet feathers are giving me a hard time.

https://preview.redd.it/1fc9osr3ga1h1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=263a870781ad60eaf4fbff6e8f87b0ec795fd8ed

I was down in the Everglades a couple of years ago, I stopped in a store that sold python wallets. I cannot remember the name of the store or where it was. I believe it was a trading post. Does anybody know what or where it is?

July 7, 1983: 'Operation Everglades‘ A major drug raid shakes Everglades City.

In a dramatic pre-dawn operation, 28 individuals were taken into custody, and over half of the town's fishing vessels were confiscated. The action involved around 200 federal drug enforcement agents working alongside Collier County sheriff's deputies.

For many years prior, smugglers had exploited the intricate network of waterways and mangrove islands along Collier County's southern coastline — a region that was extremely difficult to patrol — to transport rum, cigarettes, sugar, and even people.

Everglades City, a modest community of roughly 500 residents in southern Collier County, had long relied on traditional livelihoods like harvesting pompano, mullet, and stone crabs, along with frog gigging in the surrounding Everglades.

Me and my family are non residents and touring Miami for the next couple days. We explored around the different Miami neighborhoods, South Beach and driving up Key West for a day. We were planning on going to the Everglades for our last day but the 100$ non resident fee is a bit too much.

Is there a cheaper alternative such as the Alligator Tour to get a similar experience to the Park?

Headed down next weekend with a buddy for some kayaking and fishing. I was just wondering what to expect. Are a lot of the mangrove tunnels basically dry or are some of the tidal influenced ones ok ? I and more towards Everglades city/echopee