Florida Everglades

Are you considering a vacation destination that offers something for everyone?  The Florida Everglades has the potential for high adventure, while simultaneously offering the standard requirements of beautiful beaches, great food, and unusual shopping.  Overnight accommodations range from rustic camping with limited accommodations to elegant resorts featuring every conceivable amenity.

The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.  It is home to many rare and endangered species including the American crocodile, the Florida panther, and the West Indian manatee

You can experience the Everglades in a variety of ways, including by boat, airplane, van, airboat, bicycle, or walking. 
 
I highly recommend an airboat tour, which will bring you up close and personal with the many species residing in the Everglades.  The crocodiles are over 20 feet long, and will swim right up to your boat for a snack of giant marshmallows.  Their massive heads and horrendous teeth will give you something to remember for a very long time.

There are numerous parks to explore in the Everglades.  Fakahatchee Strand (a strand is a slow-moving river without defined shorelines) includes a boardwalk and ranger led tours. 

Collier-Seminole State Park is 6,400 acres showcasing native vegetation which can be explored by boat or hiking trails. 

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is 11,000 acres and is known as the crown jewel of the Audubon Society’s Sanctuary System.  There are hundreds of alligators, and almost 200 bird species.  There’s a 2.25 mile boardwalk taking you through the forest, ferns, orchids and wildflowers.

Big Cypress National Preserve is home to alligators, herons, bald eagles, deer and the endangered Florida panther.

Rookery Bay has a new 16,500 square foot visitor’s center, and 111,000 acres of living species including ospreys and spoonbills.

Don’t neglect Marco Island on your tour. There are beautiful white sand beaches, great food, and wonderful shelling, as well as fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boat tours, camping, sailing, and the ever popular golf.  The nations smallest Post Office is in Ochopee.  It was originally a tool shed that was converted to a Post Office in 1953. 

The wilderness area of the Ten Thousand Islands lays just South of Marco Island, and is a wonderful area to explore and catch a glimpse of one of our most beloved and endangered North American species, the West Indian Manatee. 

The West Indian Manatee is protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.  There are many acceptable ways to view or interact with this gentle giant.  Please be certain that you do not participate in any activity that would endanger or disturb this fabulous creature.

The Everglades has earned the distinction of being an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance.

After leaving the Florida Keys, you will simply turn West on Hwy 41 from Hwy 1.  This will take you right across the Everglades.  To visit Marco Island turn South on SR 951. 

In the Everglades the winter temperatures ranges from 53-77 degrees.  In the summer the temperature remains in the 90’s with 90% humidity.  June-November is hurricane season, and also mosquito season.  Spring and fall offer the most agreeable temperatures and weather conditions for an unforgettable vacation to the Everglades.  Spend at least one day driving through the Everglades.  Stay longer if you can, it is beautiful beyond your imagination.