An Itinerary for Exploring the Florida Everglades

By Kevin and Amanda Mims

Seeing alligators up close from an airboat and trekking through the swamp spotting rare orchids are two Everglades adventures that should be on any South Florida outdoor lover’s bucket list. With the help of the knowledgeable guides at Wild Lime Adventures, you can do both in one action-packed day.

Here’s your itinerary for a full day of exploring the Everglades.

Wet walk in the Everglades

Wet walks take place either in Fakahatchee Strand, known as the “Amazon of North America,” or Big Cypress National Preserve. Before you begin, you’ll be briefed on what to expect during your adventure through the swamp and outfitted with everything you’ll need, including a walking stick and dry bag for cameras and phones. Then you’ll venture into the thick of the Everglades, first though dry prairie and then into the waters of the cypress dome, where you’ll see rare orchid and bromeliad species. You’ll be able to spot wild animals, which can include snakes, alligators, turtles, and fish, and take photos as you make your way quietly through the swamp.

Boat ride though Ten Thousand Islands

After changing clothes, your group will drive through Everglades City, where you’ll board small boats and explore Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge by water. Here, you’ll likely see bottlenose dolphins and many of the refuge’s other wild inhabitants, which include more than 300 species of birds, sharks, manatees, and sea turtles. During the 90-minute tour through the islands, your captain will tell stories of the area’s history and you’ll learn about the indigenous groups who lived there before anyone else.

Lunch by the water

At this point, your group will return to dry land for a waterfront lunch outside Smallwood Store, a historic trading post and museum in Everglades City. Guests can browse the store, which is rumored to be haunted, and see artifacts from the area. Lunch is ordered off the menu and cooked up seaside. If it happens to be stone crab season, you can pick up some fresh stone crabs while you’re in town to bring back with you.

Airboat tour

After lunch, your group will head toward the Miccosukee Indian Village for the last part of this adventure, a 75-minute airboat tour by Miccosukee tribal members. Expect to see large alligators, which often come up to the boat. You’ll ride past traditional chickee homes of the Miccosukee people and learn about how their livelihood is tied to these protected lands.

TIME ALLOWANCE

This adventure takes nine to 9.5 hours.

DISTANCE FROM POPULATION CENTERS

The location for the wet walk is about an hour from Miami, Naples, Marco Island, and Fort Lauderdale, but the tour starts with a narrated drive from the city.

WALKING/DRIVING DISTANCE BETWEEN THINGS TO DO

Once in the Everglades, stops are 10 to 15 minutes apart.

WHAT TO BRING

You’ll need a set of clothes to change into after the swamp walk. For footwear, close-toed shoes are required and old sneakers are ideal because they will get wet and muddy. There will be an opportunity to rinse them off with a hose after. Otherwise, all gear you’ll need will be provided to you, including a walking stick and a dry bag to keep cameras and phones safe.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is an immersive experience in the wilds of the Florida Everglades. Weather can change unexpectedly and quickly go from sunny to raining. Wild Lime is prepared for all weather conditions and can provide ponchos if needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The wet walk is the most physically demanding part of this itinerary. The water isn’t so deep that you’ll have to swim, but you will need to have a sense of balance and overall awareness in your body as you maneuver through the water and over rocks and obstacles that you might not be able to see.

ACCESSIBILITY ENHANCEMENTS/INCLUSION HIGHLIGHTS

The tour operator’s van is wheelchair accessible and most parts of the tour can be modified, depending on the guest’s disability, although the wet walk may not be suitable for wheelchair users. Wild Lime Adventures can offer another activity in lieu of the wet walk if needed.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

This is an adventure-filled day in the Everglades, famously known as the River of Grass, that combines an airboat ride, a boat ride through Ten Thousand Islands, a walk through the swamp, wildlife encounters, and more.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

The International Dark Sky Association has named Big Cypress National Preserve an International Dark Sky Place. Everglades National Park has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

LODGING AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Wild Lime Adventures picks up guests from most areas of South Florida, so you have plenty of options when it comes to picking a place to stay. Accommodations in the Miami area range from camping sites to luxury beachfront hotels.

CULINARY ADVENTURES

On this tour, snacks and lunch are provided, with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options available. Once you’re finished with your Ten Thousand Islands boat tour, you’ll eat like a local with a seaside meal — order off the menu with choices like freshly-caught fish. During stone crab season, which runs from mid-October until mid-May, Wild Lime makes a stop in Everglades City at the crab docks for guests who want to purchase stone crab.

WHEN TO VISIT AND SEASONAL DIFFERENCES

October to early February is the high season for South Florida tourism and it’s the best time to take this tour because temperatures are cooler, which makes outdoor activities more comfortable. This is also the time when wildlife is more active. In March and late September, birds begin their migration.

SURPRISES/BONUSES

The wild animals you may encounter on this trip include bottlenose dolphins, alligators, and manatees. This excursion will allow you to experience the thrill of trekking past an alligator hole in Big Cypress, where you might spot an alligator as you go by.

RULES

Guests should never attempt to touch or reach out to wild animals. This is to protect both animals and guests. However, guides encourage guests to touch or smell surfaces of certain trees and plants as part of the experience — your guide will let you know when it’s okay to do so.

ADVICE

Wake up early to catch your 7:30 a.m. pickup (or 8:30 a.m. if meeting at Miccosukee Indian Village). Other than that, relax and have fun. Your guides will be with you to help keep you safe and get the most from your time in the wilderness.

At the end of the adventure, it’s customary to tip your guides to show your appreciation.

HOW TO BOOK

Wild Lime has a variety of tour packages and destinations to choose from. This itinerary is from the tour called “Wet Hike & Everglades Adventure.” Book tours directly through Wild Lime’s website.