Private kayak and boat tours through Everglades mangrove tunnels, led by a guide who actually knows this ecosystem.
Tod knows these waters the way most people know their own neighborhood. He's been out here long enough that the wildlife barely flinches when his kayak drifts past. That familiarity is exactly what makes a Tour the Glades trip different from a crowded pontoon boat with a script.
The tours run by kayak or boat through the mangrove tunnels and quiet backwaters of Everglades National Park on the Gulf Coast side, near Everglades City. These aren't the wide-open sawgrass views most people picture when they think Everglades. This is close, green, and still. You're paddling through tunnels of root and branch, watching herons stand perfectly motionless a few feet away, maybe catching a gator sliding off a bank. The sunrise kayak tour comes up repeatedly in reviews as a particular standout.
Because it's private, the pace is yours. Photographers get time to shoot. Families with kids get explanations that actually land. First-timers get the full context. Tod reads the group and adjusts, and he'll throw in local recommendations for where to eat and what else to see while you're in the area.
Everglades City sits at the edge of the Ten Thousand Islands, about an hour and a half west of Miami and roughly 35 miles from the park's main visitor center in Homestead. If you're making a loop of South Florida, this is the Gulf Coast leg worth building your schedule around.
415 reviews
2 months ago
A great tour experience! We kayaked through mangroves and saw some amazing wildlife and beautiful scenery. Tod was so knowledgeable and we learned some really cool information about the local area and got great recommendations for places to visit. Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore the Everglades.
2 months ago
Don’t miss this Everglades experience! My boyfriend and I went for the sunrise kayak tour and it was the highlight of our SW Florida trip. We’ll never forget it. Tod’s an absolute pro, and a fantastic guide. We saw so much wildlife: birds, fish, crabs, a gator. The best part was we didn’t have to think about anything but the view. Tod packed everything AND took amazing photos. I have no doubt we’ll be booking with Tour the Glades again and again.
4 months ago
My son and I had an amazing time with Tod and Tour the Glades. Tod went out of his way to make the experience special for us. Having lived in the area for so long, he was extremely knowledgeable about the animals and ecosystems he showed us. In addition, his excitement and love for what he does very much showed. He took pictures throughout each expedition and then sent them to us afterwards, so we were able to really enjoy and be in the moment. He also provided water, snacks and bug spray throughout, so we did not have to worry about packing anything. In addition, he brought material to make casts of animal footprints and gave those to us as a great keepsake. We specifically chose this tour because we wanted something unique and individualized versus a commercial operation that prioritizes large groups and profit and we were happy we did. I highly recommend this tour and look forward to booking another one with Tod in the future!
4 months ago
I wanted a private tour guide for my first photography trip in the Everglades. Tod was absolutely fantastic. His knowledge and stories along with our wildlife encounters did not disappoint. Taking a kayak trip is the quietest and most relaxing way to experience the Florida Everglades.
2 months ago
Great discovery of the Everglades with Tod: we enjoyed quite waters where we felt like being in middle of nowhere with a wild environment. Tod helped us to identify the various varieties of birds and flowers. A nice break at the end of the tour with some juicy oranges finalized this round for people loving the nature, in kayak, quite an advantage to approach the wild life.
Guided kayak tours through mangrove tunnels and wild waterways in the heart of the Everglades.
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