The 6 Best Birdwatching Tours in the Everglades

1.Two-Hour Everglades Dolphin, Manatee and Birding Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109Our pick

Take a two-hour small-group boat trip through Everglades National Park’s 10,000 Islands with up to six people. Guides such as Don, Dan, Matt, Ray, and Glenn share local ecology and history while looking for dolphins, birds, manatees, sea turtles, and shells.

“We thought we were going on an Everglades tour, but it did not seem to be that. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, so he made it enjoyable and interesting. But it seemed to be a tour about Ospreys. And we have plenty of Ospreys in NY.”

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2.Everglades Birding, Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

Join Captain Don, Daniel, Glenn, or another Florida Master Naturalist guide for a quiet two-hour skiff ride through Everglades National Park’s 10,000 Islands. Expect close views of mangroves, birds, dolphins, and shell islands in a group of no more than six. Bring water, sun protection, and binoculars.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable. He was able to identify and tell us about every species of bird we came upon. He piloted us expertly through the shallow waters of the 10,000 islands area of the Everglades Park. On the way out, we encountered a line dolphin who was in the mood to play. He surfed in our wake for a bit, and then he jumped out and twisted, splashing the captain on purpose. It was hilarious... he did it several times before turning back. Later, we spotted a fairly large flock of white pelicans. They were huge and flew very gracefully. It was beautiful and peaceful. On the way…”

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3.Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51Best value

Cruise from Flamingo through Buttonwood Canal, Coot Bay, Tarpon Creek, and Whitewater Bay. A naturalist guide, sometimes including Lucky, Rye, Nick, or Jennifer, explains mangroves, wildlife, and local history while you look for crocodiles, manatees, birds, and more.

“It was a waste of time and money to be honest. We saw one alligator in the entire 3 hour tour and the rest of the time the tour guide kept showing the mangrove tree and it’s roots and some bird that can be seen anywhere.”

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4.Private Everglades 10,000 Islands Photo and Birding Boat Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Explore the Everglades 10,000 Islands by private flat-deck boat with a professional Master Naturalist guide. You get room for a tripod, customized positioning for photographs, and early or late light. Depart from Chokoloskee for about 2.5 hours, with wildlife sightings shaped by season and weather.

“This was a fantastic tour! Learned a lot about the Everglades and saw many native animals. Guide was very friendly and informative. His love of the area was apparent and I would definitely recommend this tour!”

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5.Everglades National Park: 2 hour Dolphin & Birding Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 14 reviews · from $110

Spend two hours on a quiet six-passenger boat in Everglades National Park with guides such as Dan or Captain Don. Look for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, eagles, ospreys, herons, and spoonbills while learning about the mangroves, local wildlife, and the Calusa people.

“A great tour. Capt. Don is a knowledgeable and friendly guide, perfect for our 6 person family, age 7 to 71. Highly recommend this tour!”

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6.Everglades Private 2.5 Hour Photo and Birding Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2h 30m Top rated

Bring your camera and tripod for a 150-minute private boat safari from Chokoloskee. A USCG naturalist guide, including Captain Dan on some departures, takes you into hard-to-reach Everglades waters and adjusts the route and boat position for birds, wildlife, and changing light.

“Friendly, knowledgeable guide who knew how to put photographer in good positions to get great images!”

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