Quick Details
2025 Dates: Dec. 1 - 5
2026 Dates: Jan. 5 - 9, Feb. 2 - 6, Mar. 9 - 13, Mar. 23 - 27, Apr. 13 - 17, and May 4 - 8
Length: 5 days / 4 nights
Hotels and lodges: Included
Start and ends: Miami / Ft. Lauderdale
Group Size: 6 to 13 people, max
Activity rating: Easy to moderate
The Wildlife of Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve
HIGHLIGHTS:
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70-minute private air boat trip way out far from land out in the true "River of Grass," vast water wilderness of the real Everglades.
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With our native Indian partners, we'll stop and explore two Indian tree islands villages, to take in the remote beauty and their rich culture and history.
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Narrated scenic drive, employing our insider, expert knowledge for the best wildlife and birding opportunities all throughout Big Cypress National Preserve (the western Everglades). Experience the incredible biodiversity of 7 of the 9 ecosystems that make up the Everglades as a whole.
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A wonderful order off the menu lunch at authentic Everglades restaurant.
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Nature walk led by an experienced naturalist or biologist guide, where we will see tons of wildlife where it should be experienced, in the wild!
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Intriguing stops at National Park visitor centers, and an iconic landscape photographer's gallery, and more!
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A 2-hour VIP private boat trip at sunset out in the beautifully remote 10,000 Islands region of Everglades National Park. We partner with a multi-generational native guide. There is the chance to see dolphins jumping with the boat, to stop and explore a remote beach, and to view all of the numerous bird species coming into roost at sunset. It's truly spectacular.
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Wonderful dinner in Everglades City, featuring a surprise guest speaker.
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Hotel accommodations in Homestead, Florida (for the December, April, and May tours).
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Hotel accommodations at the newly renovated Flamingo Lodge in Everglades National Park (for the January, February, and March tours).
Hiking: 1.5 miles in total
Some unevenness of the trail at times, but rated as easy.
Lunch and dinner: Are included
*Please note that for the January, February, and March versions of this tour, Day 1 becomes Day 2 instead.
Biscayne National Park and the Southern Everglades
Highlights:
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3.5 hour, guided boat tour / snorkeling trip in Biscayne National Park. Explore the reefs and amazing shipwrecks of this underwater national park; while taking in the beautiful views. This is the chance to witness manatees, rays, and a tons of tropical fish.
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A visit to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center
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A wonderful picnic lunch with many choices in Everglades National Park
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Two nature walks on two different trails in Everglades National Park, led by our expert naturalist or biologist guide. At least one of these trails will explore an ecosystem of the national park not already covered on Day 1 or Day 2. Besides all of the birds and possible wildlife sightings, learn first-hand how the water flow shapes these regions of the national park.
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Narrated scenic drive through this remote southern Everglades region led by our expert guide. See for yourself why the iconic author and environmentalist, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, wrote: "There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth, remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them."
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Dinner overlooking Florida Bay.
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Evening crocodile spotting walking tour along the Florida Bay.
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Accommodations at the newly renovated Flamingo Lodge at Everglades National Park (for the December, April, and May tours).
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Accommodations at a Marco Island hotel (for the January, February, and March tours).
Total hiking: about 1.5 miles in total
Some unevenness of the trail at times, but rated as easy.
Lunch and dinner: Are included
*Please note that for the January, February, and March versions of this tour, this Day 2 becomes Day 1 instead.
Boat Trip Across the Florida Bay and Time to Explore Key West
HIGHLIGHTS:
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Private boat trip from Flamingo in Everglades National Park, across the Florida Bay, to Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Witness the raw, mysterious beauty of the Florida Bay, amidst its fragile mosaic of seagrass, hard bottoms, mudflats, and mangroves. Become mesmerized by light, which quickly changes from emerald green, to turquoise, to a silty darker blue; across this critical marine nursery for the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. We will stop at an island to explore on the way. And while en route, we will look out for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and an incredible array of bird species like flamingos, roseate spoonbills, osprey, bald eagles, white pelicans, all kinds of herons, and more! (For December, April, and May tours.)
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Travel via the spacious Key West Express from Marco Island to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States. Sit back and relax in comfort aboard this jet powered catamaran, and breathe in the fresh ocean air. Take in the incredible turquoise waters, across the span of the Gulf of Mexico from the Florida mainland to the iconic, Key West. Enjoy a tropical rum drink, other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, and snacks, while spotting birds and marinelife along the way! (For January, February, and March tours.)
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Breakfast is included, before either boat trip.
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Scenic, narrated driving tour through the lower Florida Keys, across numerous long bridges spanning the open ocean (on Dec., Apr., and May tours).
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Key West: Time to explore this historic island on your own. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch or choose from a variety of other cuisines at any number of terrific restaurants on the island. Visit the Hemingway House, have a rum drink at the Rum Bar, stop in at the legendary Green Parrot bar, take a picture at the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S., walk through the botanical garden at West Martello fort, stop for a moment of contemplation at the Key West Slave and AIDS memorials and walk out on the stone pier, stroll through the Key West Cemetery, take a bike ride to see the historic Victorian architecture, go on a bike tour, visit Mallory Square for one of the best sunsets in the world and for the eclectic street performers there, have dinner at the island-life Blue Heaven or any number of other great restaurants, go on a literary walking tour, or simply walk and enjoy all of the island views; and so much more. We will provide a comprehensive list of our suggested restaurants, attractions, and reading list for all of our guests.
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Hotel accommodations at the Doubletree Hotel in Key West.
Breakfast: Included
Lunch and dinner: Not included
*Free shuttle service provided from the Doubletree to Old Town Key West and back to the hotel.
*We can drive anyone from mainland Florida to Key West, as an alternate option for anyone who prefers that to taking the boat or ferry.
Seaplane and Tour of Dry Tortugas National Park and Key West
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Experience the incredible ocean views while on a 45-minute seaplane trip approaching the Dry Tortugas and Dry Tortugas National Park; with the chance from the air to see dolphins, sea turtles, pilot whales, and more! On this VIP trip, we will arrive to Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas early, before other visitors get there, to become immersed in the serenity of this one-of-a-kind National Park.
- Intriguing, guided walking history tour of Fort Jefferson, led by our expert guide. Become enthralled with the interesting stories. Learn that this fort was built to protect and refortify ships in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world in the mid-19th Century. Take in the mesmerizing ocean vistas atop this absolutely amazing 16-acre hexagonal fort built right into the ocean! With approximately 16 million bricks, it is the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere.
- Snorkel with our naturalist, biologist, or marine biologist guide from the beach. This spectacular snorkel is safe, and in shallow water near the coast. There is the chance to see sea turtles, rays, nurse sharks, moray eels, squid, a whole host of tropical fish, and more. The tropical fish, such as various kinds of parrotfish, snappers, trumpetfish, angel fish, and a lot more, can be of quite a large size due to the close proximity of the Dry Tortugas to the Florida Straits. All snorkel gear, safety gear like lifejackets and safety swim life ring, reef safe sunscreen, and towels are provided; as well as marine life, fish, and bird identification guide books and cards. Wild Lime dry bags are provided for each guest, and are to be kept as a souvenir.
- With our naturalist guide, walk along a connecting sandbar out to Bush Key to witness the special, thriving sea bird sanctuary located there (only available for the Dec., Jan., and Feb. Tours, due to the nesting seasons for the sooty terns and brown noddies).
- On your own, explore the island, continue snorkeling, or relax at the sandy white beach. Sit back, breathe in the ocean air, and become enthralled with one of the prettiest ocean sea views in the world. The water is so incredibly blue due to the nearby Florida Current and Florida Loop Current.
- Hop on the 45-minute seaplane trip back to Key West and once again search for all of the marine life down below and take wonder of the amazing panoramic views; and the feel the abiding memories you've created through this bucket list adventure.
- Head back to the hotel for a freshen-up or time to take a dip in the hotel pool. Then, head to a wonderful lunch in Old Town Key West.
- With our experienced guide, tour the inspirational African Slave Cemetery, and the Key West Garden Club, located at the West Martello Tower. This is the opportunity to view this garden's wonderful and rare collection of tropical trees, plants, flowers, orchids, bromeliads, and more; flora species that other than in the Keys grow nowhere else in North American. After these tours, take a walk with us past the moving AIDS Memorial at Higgs Beach out onto the stone pier for a look back at this island of Key West, originally called Cayo Hueso, or "Bone Island."
- The opportunity to continue exploring and touring the island on your own. Optional: Stop by later for a quick stop at a local bar - for free appetizers and a free drink, and to listen to a brief talk given by our interesting local guest speaker.
Breakfast and Lunch: Included
Dinner: Not included
*Free shuttle service provided from the Doubletree to Old Town Key West and back to the hotel at any time.
*Begin exploring on one's own at about 3 p.m.
*Free appetizers and drinks at local bar at about 6 p.m are included.
*Dry Tortugas National Park adventure is 4 hours in total.
*WLA will provide a suggested list of restaurants, activities, tours, and a reading list, for best exploring the island.
Living the Keys Life and Return to Miami
- Start your morning with a delicious breakfast at a local cafe.
- Journey back to Miami along the iconic Overseas Highway, taking in sweeping views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
- Cross the legendary 7-Mile Bridge as your guide shares fascinating stories about this engineering wonder.
- Visit Robbie’s Fish Camp to witness and feed the incredible wild tarpon there (the giant sport fish once pursued in the Keys by legends like Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey); as well as some time to experience the "Keys-life" and do a bit of shopping.
- Savor a slice of Key lime pie at the Blonde Giraffe, awarded the best in the Florida Keys.
- Explore the Wild Bird Sanctuary, where dedicated staff and volunteers care for injured birds; providing the chance to see these remarkable creatures up close and learn about their rehabilitation.
- Return back to Miami by 1:30 or 2 p.m. (in time for flights at 4:30 p.m or later at Miami Airport or 6 p.m or later at Ft. Lauderdale Airport). *We have some flexibility built in, so just let us know if you have a specific timing request this day.
Breakfast: Included
Lunch, dinner, and Key lime pie: Not included
Tour Photos
Tour Photos
Part Day: One Hour Air Boat Ride and Nature Walk with a Naturalist in Everglades National Park Tour
Full Day: Everglades Adventure Tour w/ Dry Hike Led by an Experienced Naturalist
Full Day: Everglades Adventure Tour w/ Wet Hike led by an experienced naturalist
