Ultimate National Park Expedition Dry Tortugas Everglades

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve
5 stops
1
Everglades National Park
Begin the tour by being picked up and embarking on a Narrated, scenic drive through the Everglades!
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Everglades National Park
70-minute private air boat trip way out far from land out in the true "River of Grass," vast water wilderness of the real Everglades.
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Go on a nature walk led by an experienced naturalist or biologist guide, where we will see tons of wildlife where it should be experienced, in the wild! Experience the incredible biodiversity of 7 of the 9 ecosystems that make up the Everglades as a whole with your expert guides!
2 hours • Admission ticket free
4
Make intriguing stops along the way at National Park visitor centers, and an iconic landscape photographer's gallery, and more!
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
5
Everglades National Park
A 2-hour VIP private boat trip at sunset out in the beautifully remote 10,000 Islands region of Everglades National Park. We partner with a multi-generational native guide. There is the chance to see dolphins jumping with the boat, to stop and explore a remote beach, and to view all of the numerous bird species coming into roost at sunset. It's truly spectacular.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Biscayne National Park and Southern Everglades
5 stops
6
Biscayne National Park
3.5 hour, guided boat tour or snorkeling trip in Biscayne National Park. Explore the reefs and amazing shipwrecks of this underwater national park; while taking in the beautiful views. This is the chance to witness manatees, rays, and a tons of tropical fish.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
7
A visit to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
8
Everglades National Park
Two nature walks on two different trails in Everglades National Park, led by our expert naturalist or biologist guide. At least one of these trails will explore an ecosystem of the national park not already covered on Day 1 or Day 2. Besides all of the birds and possible wildlife sightings, learn first-hand how the water flow shapes these regions of the national park.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
9
Everglades National Park
Narrated scenic drive through this remote southern Everglades region led by our expert guide. See for yourself why the iconic author and environmentalist, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, wrote: "There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth, remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them."
1 hour • Admission ticket free
10
Everglades National Park
Evening crocodile spotting walking tour along the Florida Bay.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Traveling to the Florida Keys and Key West!
4 stops
11
Everglades National Park
Private boat trip from Flamingo in Everglades National Park, across the Florida Bay, to Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Witness the raw, mysterious beauty of the Florida Bay, amidst its fragile mosaic of seagrass, hard bottoms, mudflats, and mangroves. Become mesmerized by light, which quickly changes from emerald green, to turquoise, to a silty darker blue; across this critical marine nursery for the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. We will stop at an island to explore on the way. And while en route, we will look out for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and an incredible array of bird species like flamingos, roseate spoonbills, osprey, bald eagles, white pelicans, all kinds of herons, and more! (For April and May tours.)
3 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Travel via the spacious Key West Express from Marco Island to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States. Sit back and relax in comfort aboard this jet powered catamaran, and breathe in the fresh ocean air. Take in the incredible turquoise waters, across the span of the Gulf of Mexico from the Florida mainland to the iconic, Key West. Enjoy a tropical rum drink, other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, and snacks, while spotting birds and marinelife along the way! (For January, February, and March tours.)
3 hours • Admission ticket free
13
Key Largo
Scenic, narrated driving tour through the lower Florida Keys, across numerous long bridges spanning the open ocean ( April and May tours).
1 hour • Admission ticket free
14
Key West
Key West: Time to explore this historic island on your own. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch or choose from a variety of other cuisines at any number of terrific restaurants on the island. Visit the Hemingway House, have a rum drink at the Rum Bar, stop at the Green Parrot bar, take a picture at the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S., walk through the botanical garden at West Martello fort, stop for a moment of contemplation at the Key West Slave and AIDS memorials and walk out on the stone pier, take a bike ride to see the historic Victorian architecture, take a bike tour, visit Mallory Square for one of the best sunsets in the world and for the eclectic street performers there, have dinner at the island-life Blue Heaven or any number of other great restaurants, go on a literary walking tour, or simply walk and enjoy all of the island views; and so much more. We will provide a comprehensive list of our suggested restaurants, attractions, and reading list for all of our guests.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park and Key West!
9 stops
15
Experience the incredible ocean views while on a 45-minute seaplane trip approaching the Dry Tortugas and Dry Tortugas National Park; with the chance from the air to see dolphins, sea turtles, pilot whales, and more! On this VIP trip, we will arrive to Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas early, before other visitors get there, to become immersed in the serenity of this one-of-a-kind National Park.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
16
Intriguing, guided walking history tour of Fort Jefferson, led by our expert guide. Become enthralled with the interesting stories. Learn that this fort was built to protect and refortify ships in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world in the mid-19th Century. Take in the mesmerizing ocean vistas atop this absolutely amazing 16-acre hexagonal fort built right into the ocean! With approximately 16 million bricks, it is the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
17
Snorkel with our naturalist, biologist, or marine biologist guide from the beach. This spectacular snorkel is safe, and in shallow water near the coast. There is the chance to see sea turtles, rays, nurse sharks, moray eels, squid, a whole host of tropical fish, and more. The tropical fish, such as various kinds of parrotfish, snappers, trumpetfish, angel fish, and a lot more, can be of quite a large size due to the close proximity of the Dry Tortugas to the Florida Straits. All snorkel gear, safety gear like lifejackets and safety swim life ring, reef safe sunscreen, and towels are provided; as well as marine life, fish, and bird identification guide books and cards. Wild Lime dry bags are provided for each guest, and are to be kept as a souvenir!
1 hour • Admission ticket free
18
With our naturalist guide, walk along a connecting sandbar out to Bush Key to witness the special, thriving sea bird sanctuary located there (only available for the Jan and Feb tours, due to the nesting seasons for the sooty terns and brown noddies).
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
19
On your own, explore the island, continue snorkeling, or relax at the sandy white beach. Sit back, breathe in the ocean air, and become enthralled with one of the prettiest ocean sea views in the world. The water is so incredibly blue due to the nearby Florida Current and Florida Loop Current.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
20
Hop on the 45-minute seaplane trip back to Key West and once again search for all of the marine life down below and take wonder of the amazing panoramic views; and the feel the abiding memories you've created through this bucket list adventure!
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
21
Key West
Head back to the hotel for a freshen-up or time to take a dip in the hotel pool. Then, head to a wonderful lunch in Old Town Key West.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
22
Key West
With our experienced guide, tour the inspirational African Slave Cemetery, and the Key West Garden Club, located at the West Martello Tower. This is the opportunity to view this garden's wonderful and rare collection of tropical trees, plants, flowers, orchids, bromeliads, and more; flora species that other than in the Keys grow nowhere else in North American. After these tours, take a walk with us past the moving AIDS Memorial at Higgs Beach out onto the stone pier for a look back at this island of Key West, originally called Cayo Hueso, or "Bone Island."
2 hours • Admission ticket free
23
Key West
The opportunity to continue exploring and touring the island on your own. Optional: Stop by later for a quick stop at a local bar - for free appetizers and a free drink, and to listen to a brief talk given by our interesting local guest speaker.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Live the Keys Life and Return to Miami
4 stops
24
After your breakfast at a local cafe, Journey back to Miami along the iconic Overseas Highway, taking in sweeping views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Cross the legendary 7-Mile Bridge as your guide shares fascinating stories about this engineering wonder.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
25
Visit Robbie’s Fish Camp to witness and feed the incredible wild tarpon there (the giant sport fish once pursued in the Keys by legends like Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey); as well as some time to experience the "Keys-life" and do a bit of shopping.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
26
Savor a slice of Key lime pie at the Blonde Giraffe, awarded the best in the Florida Keys & then explore the Wild Bird Sanctuary, where dedicated staff and volunteers care for injured birds; providing the chance to see these remarkable creatures up close and learn about their rehabilitation.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
27
Miami
Return back to Miami by 1:30 or 2 p.m. (in time for flights at 4:30 p.m or later at Miami Airport or 6 p.m or later at Ft. Lauderdale Airport). We have some flexibility built in, so just let us know if you have a specific timing request this day.
1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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