Visiting the Everglades post-cruise

[danv3]

We've got a late flight out of FLL following our upcoming cruise on Explorer of the Seas.  Since we've basically got a whole day to fill, we thought we might like to visit the Everglades.  Our current plan is to rent a car at the Miami airport and then drive over toward the Shark Valley entrance of the park.  We definitely want to take an air boat tour (seems like a quintessential Everglades experience).  What should we do after that?  Does it make sense to also do the tram tour inside the park, or will we have seen basically the same stuff by doing the air boat?  Other options nearby?  

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

[capriccio]

We take all of our visitors to the Everglades (as long as it is the dry - winter - season when the wildlife congregates around watering holes) and it is always a big hit.

 

If you haven't already checked out the National Park Service website (https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm), make sure you do.  En route to Shark Valley you’ll pass at least some of the airboat concessionaires (listed on the website) along the way so you can stop then or on your return to Miami. Shark Valley has a 15 mile (IIRC) paved loop which you can see via bike rental or a guided tram ride.  The wildlife sightings are great.  We once saw baby (about 6 inches long) alligators.  Even our daughter in law, a native Floridian, had never seen any so small.  There is also an observation tower (tram tour makes a stop) with 360 degree views for miles and miles.  The park rangers also give presentations throughout the day and sometimes guided walks.

 

 

[BlueHerons]

As long as you don't go May through September, it is a wonderful trip.

[skrufy]

On 8/24/2019 at 11:59 AM, danv3 said:

We've got a late flight out of FLL following our upcoming cruise on Explorer of the Seas.  Since we've basically got a whole day to fill, we thought we might like to visit the Everglades.  Our current plan is to rent a car at the Miami airport and then drive over toward the Shark Valley entrance of the park.  We definitely want to take an air boat tour (seems like a quintessential Everglades experience).  What should we do after that?  Does it make sense to also do the tram tour inside the park, or will we have seen basically the same stuff by doing the air boat?  Other options nearby?  

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

We did an airboat tour a couple of years ago and really enjoyed speeding around the Everglades. Saw lots of wildlife. Shark Valley is now on my to do list. Lots more wildlife and very up close.

[allesonwonderland]

Have you decided what you're doing yet? I had a similar idea, so when I did a search your post popped up. I was looking at companies that would pick us up from the port or nearby, but I'm thinking the car rental idea is a better one--we can be on our own timetable then. 

[Nic6318]

On 11/13/2019 at 4:06 PM, allesonwonderland said:

Have you decided what you're doing yet? I had a similar idea, so when I did a search your post popped up. I was looking at companies that would pick us up from the port or nearby, but I'm thinking the car rental idea is a better one--we can be on our own timetable then. 

 

Hi

 

Most cruise lines have an Everglades excursions post cruise that will drop you off at the airport after the tour. Recommended for people with flight times after 2 p.m. generally. 

 

If you have much more time, the car rental option is much better. You will be able to do things at your own pace and you will have a place to keep your luggage. Oh, you will probably save some money as well.

 

have a great cruise