We are going to Miami in early February, and were wondering what is the best way to see the Everglades? We will have a car, so is it best to set out on our own or would it be better to book a tour through one of the companies like Miami Nice Tours? If by car, where would be the best places to visit(coming from Miami)? Any particular things not to miss?

From Miami, I recommend the Royal Palms Visitor Center near Florida City.
It is an easy drive from Miami, you have the center with historical info plus a nice paved/boardwalk area to explore. We got some of the best pictures there last spring.

Look into The Shark Valley entrance which is also near Big Cypress National Park and near Air boat Tours(outside the park) and Seminole Indian Casinos and Indian Tours. Shark Valley has a 15 mile circle loop trail that can be biked(bring your own or rent there) If you are only going to do part of the loop start to your right(most animals) Or if not biking there is a circle tram tour(not sure of the cost) by the Ntl Park. Makes a very nice day.

We spent 2 Christmas vacations in the Everglades. I think you should stay in Flamingo (I don't know if it's open yet though). Do the ranger programs at Flamingo - the bird walk around Eco Pond, the Swamp Tromp (they take you into the swamp to explore the ecosystem), etc. Make sure you canoe - it's beautiful. Also, Snake Bight trail leads to a fantastic platform with TONS of birds. You have to plan it so you are there at low tide to see the birds. Make sure you bring mosquito repellent!

I second the Shark Valley area. I have done the Shark Valley tram tour three times and enjoyed it every time we took it. We have also visited the Gulf Coast Visitors Center and the one in Homestead. The best by far is Shark Valley.

The tram tour costs about $10 for adults. It lasted about two and ahalf hours. We learned a lot about the park history, animals, flora and future from the guide. We saw a lot of animals and birds on the tour. We always took it prior to leaving on a cruise, so we would arrive about 8:50A and catch the first tour about 9:15A-9:30A. No problem getting a seat. Shark Valley is an easy 45-50 minute drive from Miami on the Tamiami Trail.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking that we might try the Shark Valley area. Are there a lot of birds there in early Februaury? How about the airboat tours? Worth it?

If time permits do the main part of the Park all the way to the end and stop at all the places on the NP guide. Shark Valley is also well worth it as others have suggested.. Air boat rides are available all along US41 on the way to SV and there are also rides available near the main entrance to the Park. Stop at "Robert is Here" and have a milkshake. http://www.robertishere.com/stand.htm We lived in the area for years and were in the Glades at least once a month....

I just don't see the appeal of airboats. They are extremely noisy and they disturb the wildlife. Why not go on a canoe trip instead?

I agree with birder's advice to take a canoe trip. you'll potentially see much more wildlife without unduly disturbing the environment. Definitely try Robert's shakes - the key lime is to die for!

I went to Shark Valley in February, and there were indeed a lot of birds. By far the highest concentrations were in the first couple of miles, where there's the most water. There were also a number of small (3 to 5 foot) crocodiles sunning themselves on or near the path.

For a few pictures, see http://home.comcast.net/~lgott3141/T...arkValley.html .

Igott, could you post that URL again? I couldn't make the one you posted work.

Thanks

It's all a matter of personal preference. I would rather walk the boardwalk at the Anhinga Trail near Florida City than sit in a tram with other people and be driven on a loop at Shark Valley. If you are walking, can stop and look and listen at your leisure. But I would rather be on the tram than in an airboat! You can rent bikes at Shark Valley if you are up for a 15 mile (very flat) ride). That's a a fun choice.

likeswords, I'm afraid you'll have to cut and paste the entire url. It appears that the Fodors site doesn't handle tildes correctly when parsing url's.

Where will you find the canoe trips?

Not kidding here.

Go slather on the repellent now before going to Florida. Apply again before getting in the vehicle to leave Miami. Take spray repellent along in hand while visiting the Everglades.

It was fascinating both times we visited. However, the mossies were fierce. When we crossed into a treed area off a open trail (where I was thinking "skeeters, what skeeters?)they descended like a fog.

I slathered repellent on before leaving the parking area (where I saw no mossies at all) and still got bitten several times.

I loved the boardwalk and trail area where the gators strolled over the trails. Sorry I don't remember the name of the area. However, it was not too far from a big visitor office. The rangers will know if "boardwalks" are mentioned to them. We also did a non-air type boat trip that was really good.

Have a great time.

There are canoes for rent at Flamingo and Everglades City. Flamingo is at the end of the road about 40 miles from the park entrance at Florida City. It takes about an hour to drive it (more if there is an alligator blocking the road). The Flamingo buildings were damaged by the 2005 Hurricanes. I haven't been down there since things began to re-open. I'm told the marina area is back and operational. But I don't think there is food service. I would plan to pack in a picnic and lots of water. Everglades City is on the other side of the Everglades, past Shark Valley.

If you do get to the Everglades City unit of the Park drive on down to the end of the road to Chokoloskee. You will see a lot of 'old' Florida. I would think the old store museum (pictured in link) was damaged by the storms over the past couple of years and do not know if it is still open or not.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/ever/eco/1900.htm

very few mosquitoes in everglades in Feb. or january.