Boat Tours

Just as iconic as the gators peeping out of the waters of the Everglades are the airboats that tour the park's waterways. Like it sounds, these are boats with a huge fan on the back that propels them forward; with no outboard motor, fanboats are ideal for navigating the shallow waters of the Everglades. Since water makes up one third of the Everglades, an airboat tour is a fun, convenient, and comprehensive way to explore the park to its fullest. The average guided ride lasts about two hours. If you opt to bring your own watercraft and explore the waterways without a guide, make sure you know how to read the water. Shallow waters, tangles of grasses and banks of mud make for difficult boating. Oyster reefs and sandbars can appear suddenly, as well. It is critical to understand nautical charts, water levels, and the limits of your boat. Before exploring Florida Bay, boaters have the option to take an online boater-education course called Eco-Mariner that provides basic knowledge crucial to the protection of Florida's fragile aquatic environment. The Gulf Coast and Flamingo marinas offer boat rentals and boat tours. Contact the Gulf Coast Marina at 239-695-2591 or the marina in Flamingo at 239-695-3101 for more information, availability, and prices. The Flamingo Marina has space for up to 50 boats with electrical and water hookups. Boat fuel is sold from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The store at the marina is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on the weekends from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. While the store has ice, snacks, and drinks, there is only a limited variety. The Gulf Coast Marina is the gateway to the popular waterways of the Ten Thousand Islands. The marina is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. mid-April to mid-November and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., mid-November to mid-April. Boat ramps are located at West Lake, Flamingo, Everglades City, and Chokoloskee. Remember that a boat launch fee must be paid in addition to your park entrance fee if you plan on boating. This includes canoes and kayaks in addition to power boats. For a seven-day visit, the boat charge is $25 and the annual fee is $60. Towing people behind boats is not permitted in order to protect manatees, alligators, crocodiles, and aquatic ecosystems. Jet skis and aqua bikes are also prohibited. Check out [www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/boating.htm](https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/boating.htm) for specific rules and regulations regarding boating in the Everglades.