Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park spans the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, it is the only subtropical preserve in North America. The park contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. Everglades National Park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. Everglades National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance.

Ibis Tours follow the coast of the Gulf of Mexico through the Ten Thousand Islands region of the Everglades. Once the home of the Calusa nation; where the Seminoles made their defiant last stand against the combined forces of the United States; a place with a storied pioneer history and a region that today, is still wild and untamed.

Because the trip is alongside the Gulf of Mexico, which is salt water, you'll see dolphins and manatees instead of alligators and snakes. We camp on the beach, visit ancient Indian mounds, birdwatch with eagles, herons and, of course, our favorite bird; the ibis. Spectacular sunsets are a highlight of an Everglades trip. Ibis Tours is a licensed Everglades National Park guide service.

When people look into an Everglades trip, they have questions. Most Asked: What about the alligators? Alligators are, primarily, a fresh water species and avoid the brackish to salt water Ibis paddles through. Alligators are visible in many places on the way to Everglades City. On the road to Miami, Tamiami Trail, (US 41) there are many "Indian Villages" that have Gator wrestling, and every airboat ride tries to find an alligator for viewing. Alligators are also found along the side of the road in the canals. Feeding or molesting alligators is illegal and Florida's Game Wardens will happily give you an expensive summons for feeding alligators or throwing rocks at them to incite movement.

Where do I fly into, is another popular question? There are several choices of airports. Everglades City Airport is about 50 yards from the put-in, but this is only a "private plane" option. Naples is about 45 minutes away, but will almost certainly requires a flight change to get there. That flight change might make the best bet either Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Fort Myers; all are between one and a half to two hours away by car. Fort Lauderdale has the easiest access to Everglades roads.

Florida is called "The Sunshine State" for good reason. Everglades weather in the paddling season, is usually sunny and warm (high 60s to low 80s) during the day and down to the 50s at night. The night temperature does drop into the 40s and on rare occasions the 30s. Luckily, the clear skies that accompany cold air allows a fast warm-up.