The 4 Best Everglades National Park Birdwatching Tours

1.Two-Hour Everglades Dolphin, Manatee and Birding Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109Our pick

Board a small boat at Chokoloskee for two hours among the Everglades’ 10,000 Islands. Your guide may point out dolphins, manatees, pelicans, ospreys, bald eagles, herons, sea turtles, fish, shells, and mangrove ecosystems. Captains such as Don, Dan, Glenn, Matt, and Ray are praised for their local knowledge and personal attention.

“Our tour Guide Don was great--totally knowledgeable about the area, the flora and the fauna. He was pleasant, fun, patient as well. We saw all kinds of birds, nests, and Calusa shell formations--centuries old! The 2 highlights were seeing a huge flock of white pelicans resting on the beach of one of the islands. I've seen them at Ding Darling but never as close as we came without disturbing them and having dolphins visiting us and performing! Worth the price of the trip! Again, I've seen dolphins before but never so close. Don led us in singing Flipper's them song and a great time was had by all--Paula, Chatham, MA”

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2.Everglades Birding, Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend two quiet hours in Everglades National Park’s 10,000 Islands aboard a small skiff with a Florida Master Naturalist guide. Expect close views of mangroves, dolphins, egrets, herons, ospreys, pelicans, and other wildlife. Captain Don, Dan, and Daniel are praised for their local knowledge, while the boat’s six-person limit keeps the outing personal.

“Great guide and information, beautiful tour, experience was first rate. My family thoroughly enjoyed it.”

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3.Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51Cheapest here

Join a naturalist-led boat ride from Flamingo through Buttonwood Canal, Coot Bay, Tarpon Creek, and Whitewater Bay. Expect open-air views, mangroves, birds, crocodiles, and possible manatees. Guides such as Lucky, Nick, Jennifer, John, and Rye have led tours, with time for questions and photos.

“Very informal about the Everglades, the types of mangrove trees, the history of the canal and the different types of wildlife in the area.”

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4.Private Everglades 10,000 Islands Photo and Birding Boat Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

You and one companion explore the Everglades 10,000 Islands aboard a flat-decked boat with a professional Master Naturalist guide. The guide uses an electric trolling motor to position you for bird and wildlife photos, with trips timed for sunrise or sunset light. Bring a tripod, telephoto lens, and patience.

“Our Naturalist Master Captain took me and my wife on the morning before sunrise to about noon out on the water. I’m a photographer I have been on many many Naturalist tours Especially in Hawaiian Island since my timeshare is there I had the fortune there to go with one one the people that re-edit the Tory bird and an expert in like spiders. This Naturalist in The Everglades knew everything about the habitat and nesting and habits of birds which was my primary focus. He knew all about the Everglades and trees shrubs water and because I studied Oceanography and setup a weather Dept with Weather expert it was…”

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