Florida Everglades & Biscayne National Parks Multisport Tour
Vast Wetlands & Unique Wildlife
As a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, Everglades National Park protects an enormous amount of rare and endangered flora and fauna. The best way to explore this extraordinary terrain and the abundance of wildlife that live here is on the numerous land and water trails that snake through the park. American crocodile bask in the warm winter sun, manatee float through blue green waters, and flocks of brilliant white ibis soar in the vibrant pink, orange and purple evening sky. Everglades National Park offers the perfect blend of premier wildlife viewing with exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. We'll paddle through stands of giant mangrove and over crystal blue ocean waters. We'll hike through tropical hardwood hammocks and towering pine forests. Our icing on the cake is world-class snorkeling experience at Biscayne National Park, part of the world's third longest coral reef tract.
As a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, Everglades National Park protects an enormous amount of rare and endangered flora and fauna. The best way to explore this extraordinary terrain and the abundance of wildlife that live here is on the numerous land and water trails that snake through the park. American crocodile bask in the warm winter sun, manatee float through blue green waters, and flocks of brilliant white ibis soar in the vibrant pink, orange and purple evening sky. Everglades National Park offers the perfect blend of premier wildlife viewing with exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. We'll paddle through stands of giant mangrove and over crystal blue ocean waters. We'll hike through tropical hardwood hammocks and towering pine forests. Our icing on the cake is world-class snorkeling experience at Biscayne National Park, part of the world's third longest coral reef tract.
Meet your guides and fellow travelers later in the morning at our designated host hotel in Miami, Florida. We will make our first stop at Robert is Here, a Florida institution, where we'll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch and have an opportunity explore the market. Once in camp our guides provide a tent setup demo. We'll then get the chance to settle in and create the perfect home-away-from-home. By late afternoon we'll hit the trail for an extraordinary wildlife opportunity along the Anhinga trail. Alligators, turtles and countless bird species call this picturesque sawgrass marsh home, and a raised boardwalk provides the perfect opportunity for wildlife viewing. We'll wind down the day relaxing at camp before enjoying a scrumptious dinner around the campfire. Lunch & dinner included.
Accommodation: Long Pine Campground
Activity: 2 miles hiking
Transportation: 1 hour private van transfer
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Mangroves Water Safari
Day 2
We start the day with a canoe journey through the backcountry waterways of Everglades National Park. Mangrove tunnels and islands give way to expanses of sawgrass while the sounds of birds and frogs singing provide a melodious soundtrack for this morning's adventure. We'll keep an eye out and cameras ready for a glimpse at the "Nine Mile Giant", an American crocodile who is known to frequent the shores of the area. Our afternoon will be spent soaking in the remarkable flora and fauna of the park. We'll start with a boardwalk hike on the Pahayokee trail. Offering one of the best views in the park, the overlook is accessed via the boardwalk and provides sweeping view of what indigenous tribes termed Pa-hay-okee, meaning "grassy river". Later we'll head over to the Gumbo Limbo trail where we'll walk through a quintessential tropical hammock. All meals included.
We'll start the morning hiking under towering slash pine along the Long Pine Key Trail. Known as a pine rockland, Long Pine Key has the distinction of being a complex subtropical ecosystem home to a unique range of plants and animals. We'll learn more about the importance of fire in keeping the area healthy, and also spend some time identifying the wide array of flora that makes up the forest's understory. This afternoon we'll head out to the open coast, home to Flamingo Visitor Center and our jumping off point for an afternoon of kayaking. Depending on weather and wind conditions we'll either skirt the edge of the bay or make our way up Buttonwood Canal. Either way, this area provides spectacular opportunities for wildlife sightings, with American alligator, crocodile, manatee, and osprey being regular visitors. All meals included.
Accommodation: Long Pine Campground
Activity: 4 miles hiking; 2-3 hours kayaking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snorkeling & Sunshine at Biscayne National Park
Day 4
We'll start the morning with a hearty breakfast before working together to break down camp. We're then on our way to Biscayne National Park for a spectacular snorkeling experience. Before hitting the water, we'll gear up and enjoy a beachside lunch. We'll then hop aboard our boat and start our journey to the country's only underwater archaeological trail in the National Park System. Depending on conditions, our captain will guide us to the best snorkel location to observe the diverse beauty of the underwater park. The adventure concludes with a transfer back to Miami, where we'll say our final goodbyes to new friends and amazing southern Florida. We anticipate arriving back to Miami in the early evening. Breakfast & lunch included.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Ben W.
Ben knew from an early age that he would count on the natural world to guide him throughout his journey. Ben received a B.S. in Geology and Environmental Studies from the University of Tennessee with a minor in Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Science. He has worked as a Research Technician with the Department of Plant Sciences since 2013. Ben has Outdoor Guide Certifications from the University of Wyoming and is a Certified Interpretive Guide .
Beth W.
Beth has always enjoyed staying active outdoors as she grew up in East Tennessee. She has a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee where she gained research experience in the hybridization of minnows in the Clinch River Valley. While the mountains are home, Beth loves to travel and explore new places as much as possible. She enjoys running, cooking, and spending time on the water.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. There are a variety of activities including trail walking, canoeing, sea kayaking, and snorkeling. In general, the walking trails are short and flat. Participants should expect to hike up to 4 miles at a time, kayak and/or canoe for up to 4.5 hours at a time, and snorkel for approximately 2.5 hours. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 1
2 miles hiking
Day 2
5 miles canoeing; 1-2 miles walking
Day 3
4 miles hiking; 2-3 hours kayaking
Day 4
2.5 hours snorkeling
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
A comfortable campground situated near Everglades National Park.
Long Pine Key Campground, located within Everglades National Park, offers a peaceful escape surrounded by pine rocklands and diverse wildlife. This tranquil campsite features spacious, shaded sites suitable for tents, with modern amenities like restrooms, potable water, and picnic tables. Close to hiking and biking trails, including the scenic Long Pine Key Trail, it's a perfect base for exploring the park's unique ecosystems.
Weather
The winter season is dry with low humidity. Daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s and nighttime temperatures in the 50s.
Jan
Feb
Dec
Everglades National Park
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Everglades National Park
76
53
77
56
78
57
FAQs
Wat kind of wildlife will I see?
Be on the lookout for both the American crocodile and alligator, herons, turtles, otters, and West Indian manatees.
Do I need kayaking experience?
No but we highly recommend that all trip members be comfortable swimmers to ensure full participation in this adventure. You must be able to get in and out of a kayak without too much trouble.
Is this trip permitted by the National Park Service?
Yes. A Walk in the Woods is a Commercial Use Authorization holder in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks.
