Guided boat and kayak tours through the Ten Thousand Islands with captains who actually know their stuff.
Chokoloskee sits at the edge of the Ten Thousand Islands, where the Everglades meets the Gulf Coast in a maze of mangrove islands, tidal flats, and open water. Everglades Boat Tours runs guided experiences out here, and the captains, Don, Dale, Chris, and others, are the real draw. These aren't scripted narrators reading from a card. They know the water, the wildlife, and the history.
The boat tours cover the Ten Thousand Islands, where you're likely to spot dolphins, sea turtles, wading birds, and roseate spoonbills depending on the season. Captain Don has a particular thing for the Calusa shell mounds, some of them over 2,000 years old, and he'll put you in the right spot for photos without you having to ask. It's the kind of tour where you leave knowing things you didn't expect to learn.
Kayak tours are also on offer, guided through the mangrove tunnels where the water goes quiet and the canopy closes in overhead. Chris runs a tight operation: organized, briefed, and focused on making the paddle work for everyone, first-timers included.
Chokoloskee is about two hours from Miami and sits just south of Everglades City on the Gulf Coast side of the park. If you've only done the main park entrance near Homestead, this side of the Everglades feels like a completely different world. It is.
146 reviews
6 months ago
Our 10,000 Islands boat trip with Captain Don was the highlight of our visit to the area. He’s clearly knowledgeable about the area and was very accommodating in situating us for photo opportunities. Learning about the Calusa Indians and the shell mounds was an added bonus. This trip is very highly recommended,
3 months ago
We had a blast. We'll worth the 4 hour drive round trip. We saw many types of birds, dolphins.turtle nest, 2000 year old conch shells plus much more. Don our boat captain was very knowledgeable and kept us entertained for over 2 hours.
4 months ago
Dale provided a brilliant and informative tour of the Everglades. Between his great stories and the stunning locations we visited, it was a highlights-reel kind of day. Don’t miss out on this one!
2 months ago
Our kayak tour through the Everglades mangroves was one of the highlights of our trip, and Chris was a big reason why. From the very beginning, he was organized, helpful, and focused on making sure everyone had a great experience. Before the tour even started, he provided useful reminders about what to bring, including bug spray, which turned out to be excellent advice. What really stood out was Chris's passion for the Everglades ecosystem. It was obvious that he genuinely cares about protecting and preserving this unique environment. Throughout the tour, he shared fascinating information about the wildlife, plants, and mangrove ecosystem, helping us better understand and appreciate everything we were seeing. His knowledge of the local flora and fauna added so much depth to the experience. We also appreciated the small group size. Unlike larger tours, this felt personal and relaxed, allowing plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn from Chris's expertise. He struck the perfect balance between providing information, ensuring everyone's safety, and giving us time to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Everglades. If you're looking for an authentic, educational, and enjoyable kayaking experience, we highly recommend this tour. Chris's knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment to the environment made this much more than just a paddle—it was a memorable opportunity to connect with one of Florida's most remarkable natural treasures.
5 months ago
Don took our family on an amazing tour and I wish we could give more than 5 stars! We learned about the Florida ecosystem and have a much greater appreciation for the Everglades now.
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