| Where to Meet, What to Bring, What to Expect
Where do we meet?
You will meet us at "JT's" on Chokoloskee Island. Look for the blue building that looks and feels like it belongs in Key West. You really cannot miss it. Parking is available there. (Just keep driving. You can't stay lost long. The island is only 145 acres!)
Everglades Area Tours
238 Mamie Street
Chokoloskee FL. 34138
239-695-3633
What time do we need to be there?
Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your tour departure time so that you can get checked in, use the restroom, etc. We try to leave on time.
What do we need to bring?
Please bring hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, shoes that you do not mind getting wet and water in a reusable container. Try not to bring “flip-flops”. Shoes that strap to your feet and will stay on the best. You will also need your Everglades National Park Pass. For the most part, you will not need insect repellent. But you may want to bring some “just in case”. Don’t forget your cameras.
Everglades National Park Pass?
Like most national and state parks, there is an entrance fee. However, there is no "entrance gate" in Everglades City or Chokoloskee. As of February 1st 2019, the National Park Service requires all Everglades National Park guests to be in possession of a park pass. Most people purchase a one-week vehicle pass that covers everyone in the vehicle. If you may visit other parks, you may want to consider an Annual or Senior pass. It is our understanding that these passes also cover everyone in your party.
Passes can be purchased via this link https://yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/park/ever)). If you have any questions, please call the Park at 305-242-7700 (https://www.nps.gov/ever/contacts.htm)
How many people are on the tour?
Each boat has a maximum capacity of six guests. For groups of more than six, we will use two boats. However, if you are doing the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour or the Everglades National Park Expedition, you will all be together while paddling and/or exploring the islands.
https://www.everglades-boattours.com/boat_assisted.html
https://www.everglades-boattours.com/expedition.html
Why no air boats?
We do not use air boats. They are not allowed in Everglades National Park where we operate due to their speed, noise and impact on the environment. They are a thrill ride - the roller coaster of the Everglades requiring hearing protection. We have used 27' Carolina Skiffs for almost three decades. They are extremely stable, very shallow draft and allow us to move as slow and as quietly as possible.
Bathrooms?
Bathrooms are vailable before and after the tour. There are no bathrooms on the boats. However, the National Park Service maintains portable toilets on the islands that we visit.
Limited Mobility or Wheelchairs?
Unfortunately, due to the daily tides and construction of the boats and docks, we cannot load wheelchairs from the dock or onto the boats. In order to get on and off the boats, you need to negotiate a couple of steps of a vertical boarding ladder.
What about alligators?
The Everglades Area is famous for its iconic alligators. We encounter them most everyday on the Mangrove Tunnel and the Alligators and Orchids Kayak Eco Tours. We keep a safe distance away and so do they. They are fond of fish and fowl. A person in a kayak simply does not resemble anything close to a wading bird! YOU WILL NOT BE EATEN BY AN ALLIGATOR!
We operate our boating tours in the 10,000 Islands area of Everglades National Park. This is the coastal Everglades and is NOT the habitat of alligators. Please do not expect to see alligators on any of the boat tours. However, you may encounter dolphins, manatees, herons, egrets, ospreys, sea turtles, eagles, sharks, rays, etc. For those that wish to experience alligators, we recommend this tour https://evergladeskayaking.com/mangrove-tunnel-kayak-tours.htm
Do you guarantee seeing wildlife?
Of course not!. That is for zoos. We are on the water most everyday all year long, so we do have a very good handle on wildlife habits and patterns. However, the wildlife is just that … wild! If it has fins, feet or feathers you can count on it to move. So, we can only encounter what is out there in the short time that you are on tour. Everyday and every tour is different. Obviously, the longer tours provide potentially greater opportunities to encounter wildlife. Depending on the tour, you will learn about the Everglades ecosystems, its rich heritage and long history while searching for alligators, dolphins, manatees, herons, egrets, ospreys, eagles, sharks, rays, sea turtles, roseate spoonbills, various shorebirds and seabirds.
Will we get wet?
Not really, you will get your feet wet getting on and off an island as you must step in the water.
Is the boat covered?
We are constantly looking for wildlife … in all directions, including up. We conduct a lot of photography experiences and boat covers obstruct our field of view and interfere with photographing opportunities. So, there is not a cover on the boat.
Where should we stay overnight?
The Dolphin View is a waterfront 5th wheel directly on the water and just steps from your tours. "The best view on Chokoloskee Island".
https://tinyurl.com/Dolphin-View
There is lodging available in Chokoloskee and Everglades City (10 minutes)
Outdoor Resorts https://www.outdoor-resorts.com/ci/
Chokoloskee Island Park https://www.chokoloskee.com/Fishing.html
The Everglades City Motel https://www.evergladescitymotel.com/
The Captains Table https://www.captainstablehotel.com
River Wilderness https://www.river-wilderness.com/
Rod and Gun Club https://www.evergladesrodandgun.com/
The Ivey House https://www.iveyhouse.com/
Port of the Islands https://www.poiresort.com/
What if it rains or the weather gets bad?
Well, if it rains while we are on tour, we will get wet ...HA! Please see the cancellation policy question below.
What is the cancellation policy?
Fortunately, we are in an area where weather rarely forces us to cancel a tour. We have many choices and options in this wonderful area. However, the captain and guide has the ultimate responsibility for your safety and will make all "GO" or "NO-GO" decisions. In the case of a "NO-GO" decision, you will have an option to re-schedule, receive a non-expiring gift certificate or join another tour that is not affected.
During the months of June through September into October, South Florida becomes a tropical/subtropical paradise. The heating of the peninsula's land mass triggers afternoon thunderstorms and convective sea breezes, so we encourage guests to book our experiences in the mornings during these months. We will conduct the tours in the afternoons if desired by our guests. If the tour departs and we must return due to bad weather, we will refund up to 50% of the tour value, prorated.
Everglades Area Tours wants you to enjoy our tours and have a great time so you can tell others!!! All our tours are reserved in advance. However, we realize that situations occur that alter travel schedules and plans. If you cancel your tour prior to 14 days from the scheduled tour date, your deposit will be completely refunded. If you cancel the tour within 14 days prior to the tour date, you will be offered an option to reschedule the tour to another date. However, if the tour cannot be rescheduled, the deposit amounts may be forfeited or a gift certificate issued for the deposited amount at our sole discretion. If a tour date is canceled within 48 hours of the tour date, the complete tour booking fees may be forfeited or the trip rescheduled at our sole discretion.
The Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tours
Is the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour suitable for children?
Absolutely! It is one of the best for children as there is lots to do and see, No one can get "bored". They start off at our shop petting and playing with “Crash the Cat”. Then we take a golf cart ride to the marina where they take a boat ride searching for dolphins, manatees, birds, etc. They are in a kayak that takes them to an uninhabited island in the National Park where, with a naturalist, the experience becomes “hands-on” with all the shells and creatures in the tidal zone. Then they are back in the kayaks, then back in the boat, then back in the golf card and finally, back to Crash!
Is the tour suitable for older guests?
Certainly. You do need to be able to squat to get in and out of the kayaks. Also, you will need to use a couple of steps on a vertical ladder to get on and off the boat at the dock. For those that do not wish to paddle, the Everglades National Park Expedition is a very similar tour, but there is no paddling on this tour. https://www.everglades-boattours.com/expedition.html
What is the difference between the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour and the Everglades National Park Expedition?
Kayaking. For those that do not wish to kayak, please reserve the Expedition. All other aspects of the two tours are the same. Both are wonderful hands-on eco-educational experiences with a Florida Master Naturalist.
Is the tour safe?
Of course, it is safe ...and fun and very educational. The boats are extremely stable, as are the kayaks. We carry all required safety equipment required by the US Coast Guard and the National Park Service… life preservers, fire extinguishers, signaling devices, etc. Plus, we track each boat by satellite. We have not lost anyone yet!
How long will we be in the kayaks vs the boats vs the island?
Every day and every tour is different. In general we kayak for about an hour +/-, the boat for an hour and a half and the island for about an hour. However, this is really up to the day. It is really hard to leave playful, engaging dolphins, for example, so we may be in the boat longer.
Will we get wet?
Not really, you will get your feet wet getting in and out of kayaks or on and off an island as you must step in the water. If you are paddling, you can expect water to drip off the paddles.
How long is the tour?
This tour is ~3 1/2 hours in duration. It can be a bit more or less depending on the day and what we encounter during the tour.
Will it be safe to bring a camera?
Yes. depending on the camera and your confidence, you may choose to leave the camera on the boat while kayaking. You can expect some water to drip off the kayak paddle.
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