Staying in South Beach, Miami. Looking for one day trip thru Everglades. Will hike or canoe, or do private tour - any advice?

There are alot of tour operators that have airboat tours off of 8th Street (aka Tamiami Trail/U.S. 41). Its too far for a taxi..about 45 minutes to an hour from south beach. You could rent a car for the day and do that plus a drive to Everglades National Park or even do a 3 hour bike tour through the glades, as there is a paved path called shark valley where I think they rent bikes.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/s...g.storygallery

This site has more info as well.

Hi, I have done both the airboat and the canoe. The canoe ride was in the Thousand Islands area bordering the Everglades ' coast. I loved the canoe, the silence was awesome, birds, vegetation, little canals so tiny we could barely get on. We went with a guide in two canoes.
I love to go to Everglades City, that is going WEst on Tamiani Trail/US41 , then a few miles S on route 19 , there is an old hotel, the matter in fact one of the oldest in the area, called The Gun and Rod Club, nice for drinks has lots of ambiance, for lunch we prefered a restaurant whose name I cannot remmember but has a wooden porche and good sea food including stonecrabs and oysters in season. You can find in Everglades city ( a tiny town) airboats for hire and private rides, canoes and a boat that takes passangers into de Thousand Islands ( but it would be my last choice). If you do not wish to drive so far, on Tamiani/US 41 my favorite ride was in the funkiest , oldest post which is the first one coming from Miami .I think it is called Cooper Town. Do not miss the bar/coffee house there.Good luck/ You are doing the right thing to add a visit to the Everglades to your South Beach stay. Will not regret it. If you have anyquestions , I shall look back in case I can help you.

We will be in Naples for two weeks in January 2004. What are the things that I absolutely should not miss in Naples, Ft. Myers, and surrounding areas? How does one select which company to use to see the Everglades? Any good moderately priced restaurants to recommend? Thank you...TA at [email protected]

I'd rent a car and then drive all the way through Everglades National Park to the coastline at Flamingo. Rent a canoe at the marina, then head up into the canal system. Turn around whenever you want, then head back. This will be a longish day, but will be quite scenic and interesting. Before you get to Flamingo, there are a couple of short boardwalk walks that you can take. The Anhinga Trail, for one.

TA,
If you are into bird watching there is a well known rookery beside the highway patrol station in Venice. January will be excellent time for nest building. The rookery is in a lagoon about 75' off the shore. Just don't park where it is posted no parking. Nearby is Myakka River State Park. Further south near Immokatee is Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Sanibel Is and Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge can't be beat. Be there when they open the gates.

If you are taking Tamiami Trail through the Everglades, stop at Clyde Butcher's gallery (much nearer to Naples than Miami) Butcher takes amazing black and white photos of Florida. www.clydebutcher.com