Are you looking for the best ways to see the Everglades National Park?
If you’re looking to visit the Everglades National Park, you might be wondering what the best way to see the Everglades is? Should you visit the national park yourself, should you drive there, or take a tour?
The Everglades is a really unique National Park in the USA, and it’s unlike anywhere else you’ll visit. There are stunning lakes, surrounded by mysterious mangroves. In the water you’ll find herons, egrets, stilts, ducks, wood storks, spoonbills, alligators, otters, and a variety of fish too. It’s a hub of nature and animals – and when you visit the Everglades National Park, you’ll get a chance to see all of these.
Airboat Tour
First on my list of the best way to see the Everglades… An airboat tour!
An airboat tour is the classic Everglades experience and it’s something you definitely HAVE to do if you’re visiting. An airboat tour is how you’ll see the Gators up close in the wild (as well as lots of other wildlife), and a good airboat tour guide will make sure you spot those gators, so make sure you choose a good tour. During your airboat ride you’ll zoom through the open air amongst the Everglades, through the water itself. It’s fun filled and adrenaline filled too!
It really is the most popular and one of the best way to see the Everglades and I really recommend this one as it’s not only won awards, but has loads of positive reviews too. I always look at the reviews when it comes to Everglades tours, because that’s how you know you’ve found a good tour operator.
Below are some of the other best reviewed tours I found:
Walk the Anhinga Trail
Next on my list of the best way to see the Everglades, walking the Anhinga Trail.
If you want to do some walking around the Everglades National Park, you can actually walk as well as do a boat tour. If you’re spending a couple of days in the area, or if you want to pack your day full of activities, you can do the Anhinga Trail as well as a boat tour. The trail isn’t too difficult, and it’s only a mile long (just under actually).
The trail starts at the Royal Palm Visitor Centre, which is really easy to find, and there are toilets and refreshments available there too – for after you finish your walk! There are loads of amazing views along the walk and you’ll get the chance to spot animals and birds too.
Take a walking tour
Next on my list of the best way to see the Everglades, is taking a walking tour with a professional tour guide.
If you want to take a slightly more ‘guided’ approach to the Everglades, but you still want to explore the Everglades by foot – taking a walking tour is a great idea and means you get to see the landscape with a professional tour guide on hand to point out anything notable and interesting.
This walking tour includes a 2 hour guided walk, taking you completely off the “tourist” map – and giving you an insight into the local area, the nature, the eco-systems and the animals too. You’ll have you guide on hand to spot anything interesting, and they’ll also be able to give you loads of interesting information along the way too.
Go kayaking
Kayaking is one of the best way to see the Everglades, and one of the most memorable too. It’s one of the most amazing ways to see the everglades and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. When you’re kayaking in the Everglades you’re not just watching the wildlife, you’re part of it. You’re so close to everything, and it’s a real rush! It’s also one of the most eco-friendly ways to explore the Everglades too – so if you’re trying to be more conscious of the environment, this is definitely the tour you should go for.
I recommend this tour, as you get comfortable kayaks (more important than you think!), and you also get a really lengthy time exploring (3 hours!). The tour guide who takes you out is also a Florida Master Naturalist guide, certified by the National Park and licensed by the US Coast Guard – so you know you’re in safe hands. It also has a review score of and that’s from 126 Reviews (which is pretty amazing). You can click here to book tickets.
Do a photography safari
If you love photography and you want to make sure you capture some incredible shots during your time in the Everglades, take a photo safari! There are so many stunning things to capture photos of in the Everglades, and a photo safari is a tour specifically designed to give you the best possible photo opportunities. If you love taking photos, this is probably the best way to see the Everglades for you.
I recommend this photo safari tour, it’s a private tour, in a small boat too – which means you can gain access to areas larger boats aren’t allowed, or can’t reach. It’s also 2.5 hours long – which means you have loads of time to take incredible images, and don’t feel rushed!
Find a tour that does everything
If you can’t decide between all of the above, book yourself onto a tour that includes a boat tour, a safari, an animal show and a walking tour. This is the best option I found when I was looking for all-inclusive options. The tour lasts 9.5 hours, and lets you really explore everything this area has to offer. You’ll have an expert nature guide with you all day, and you’ll experience a wildlife drive, a nature walk, a delicious lunch, an airboat ride and a boat cruise all in the ticket price. Click here to book tickets!
Take the trolley
Last on my list of the best way to see the Everglades… Take the Trolley!
If you heading into the Everglades National Park from Homestead (in the south), you can actually take the trolley in. The Homestead National Parks Trolley is a free way to see the Everglades and it’s a guided tour too (for free!) so you really can’t lose. The free trolley ride is only offered at weekends, and it’s available from late November through early May.
I hope this list of the best way to see the Everglades has been helpful! There are a few more tour suggestions below!
