Everglades Small Group Tour: Dolphins & 10,000 Islands

Boat through shallow mangrove channels, walk an empty island beach, watch dolphins hunt in their own habitat

A small-group guided boating and walking expedition through Everglades National Park's 10,000 Islands with a Florida Master Naturalist, searching for dolphins, manatees and 300 bird species. The boat is quiet and shallow-draft (airboats are not allowed in the park), and the group stays at six people to keep the experience intimate. You depart the boat to explore an uninhabited barrier island beach on foot, and the whole outing runs about three and a half hours. Park admission is an optional add-on at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Everglades boating and island exploration

• Board quiet, shallow draft boat
• Explore Everglades 10,000 Islands
• Search for dolphins, manatees, birds
• Learn about Everglades ecosystem and history
• Disembark to explore barrier island beach

The experience

What makes this different from an airboat tour is the boat itself: quiet, slow-moving, shallow-draft, and built to slip through the mangrove channels without the noise that damages the ecosystem. You'll search for dolphins, manatees, eagles, ospreys, pelicans, sea turtles, egrets, herons, rosette spoonbills and shore birds. The park is home to 300 species. A Florida Master Naturalist guide leads the whole thing and talks through the different Everglades ecosystems, the park's long history and its culture as you move through Chokoloskee Bay and the 10,000 Islands.

Midway through, you leave the boat and walk an uninhabited barrier island beach with your guide: a hands-on moment that breaks up the water time and gives you a different angle on the park. The group never exceeds six people, which means the boat moves at a pace that lets you actually see what's there instead of rushing past. Bring water, a hat, sunglasses and binoculars. Cameras are essential.

The tour runs three and a half hours. You'll need to descend a 2–3 rung ladder to board the boat. Infants can sit on an adult's lap. If you don't already have Everglades National Park admission, you can add it when you book.

What’s included

• Boating through Chokoloskee Bay and the 10,000 Islands with a Florida Master Naturalist guide.
• walking an uninhabited barrier island beach.
• wildlife viewing and ecosystem education throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 95 years) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Everglades Boat Tours

Is this one for you?The boat is quiet and moves slowly, which is what lets you see and hear the dolphins and birds instead of rushing past them: a trade-off if you want speed, but the whole point if you want to actually watch wildlife behave. The group caps at six, so you're not competing for sightlines or the guide's attention.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals am I most likely to see on this tour?

Dolphins and manatees are the main draw, and the park is home to 300 bird species including eagles, ospreys, pelicans, egrets, herons and rosette spoonbills. You'll also see sea turtles and shore birds. What you encounter depends on the season and the time of day, but the guide knows where to look and will explain what's happening in the water as you move through the islands.

Why is this boat different from an airboat?

Airboats are loud and not allowed in Everglades National Park because of their impact on the environment. This boat is quiet, slow-moving and shallow-draft, which means it can slip through the mangrove channels without disturbing the wildlife or the ecosystem, and you can actually hear the guide and the sounds of the park around you.

Do I have to pay for Everglades National Park admission separately?

Park admission is optional and added at checkout if you want it. The tour itself takes place inside the park, so you'll need entry either way. You can arrange it in advance or add it to your booking.

Is there a lot of walking on this tour?

Most of the tour is on the boat. You'll leave the boat once to walk an uninhabited barrier island beach with your guide: a hands-on stretch that breaks up the water time. The whole outing is about three and a half hours, and the group stays small at six people, so the pace is manageable for all ages and fitness levels.