What time is pickup for the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

Hotel pickups are typically between 7 AM and 7:30 AM. After confirmation, the local operator will reach out to you via email with your exact pickup time and location. You may also contact them directly at the phone number on your ticket for any questions.

How early should I arrive for the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

Please be ready at least 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time to check-in.

Is there parking near the departure point for the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

Free parking is available at the Miccosukee Gas Station located across the street from the Shark Valley Visitor Center.

Can I be dropped off at a different location than my selected pickup?

This may be arranged, depending on location and availability. If you need to be dropped off at a different location, please contact the local operator directly at the phone number on your ticket in advance for any special requests.

Is the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat family-friendly?

Absolutely! This tour is appropriate for guests ages 5 and over.

Can I bring my child under 5 years old?

All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate.

Can I participate in the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat if I am pregnant?

Due to the nature of the airboat ride, this tour is not recommended for pregnant guests.

Can I bring a pet or service animal with me on the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

As the alligators may swim directly up to the side of the airboat, animals of any kind are not allowed onboard.

How long is the actual airboat ride?

The cruise is approximately one hour long. You will also have some free time to explore the exhibits, inlcluding large & baby alligators and a wide variety of bird and other wildlife.

Will I see other wildlife besides alligators?

Absolutely! The Everglades are beautiful, with exotic birds, plants, and animals everywhere; so you never know what you will encounter!

How safe is the Everglades Airboat ride?

All airboat captains are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and exceptionally skilled in navigating the designated routes. The airboats have comfortable seating and are very safe.

Will I get wet during the Airboat ride?

There is minimal splashing on an airboat, so you will only get wet if you visit on a rainy day!

Is covered seating available during the Airboat ride?

In order to maximize the view, all airboats have open-air seating. This is the best way to truly experience the majesty of Everglades National Park while traversing the pristine waters and exploring the unique ecosphere so many wonderful plants and animals call home.

How fast does the airboat go?

Airboats can be very fast, with some modified boats reaching speeds in excess of 130 mph, however, you will not exceed speeds of 35 to 40 mph while visiting the Everglades.

How strenuous is the Adventure Hike?

It is a very easy walk, and you will take your time in order to locate and enjoy viewing the local wildlife!

Is lunch included in the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

Yes! Lunch is included at a wonderful local restaurant with several options to choose from.

Can you accommodate special dietary needs?

There are several lunch options to select from, including vegetarian and vegan options.

What should I bring with me on the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

Be sure to bring a valid, Gov't-issued ID and a camera. A hat, sunglasses, and a light jacket are recommended. Sunscreen, insect repellant, and ponchos are available for use when necessary.

How should I dress for the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

From April through early November, it can get pretty hot out there! So, just dress comfortably. Shorts and a T-shirt are usually fine. In the winter it can be warm too, but it can also get chilly out there sometimes, and you will be out on two different boat trips, for a total of 2.5 hours. So, if it is a chilly day, bring a sweater or light jacket!

Can I store my luggage with you during the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

Yes - Please advise how much baggage you will have with you in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.

Everglades National Park Biologist Led Adventure: Cruise, Hike + Airboat

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Fort Lauderdale, USA

Great choice

20+ bookings last month.

9 hours 30 minutes to 10 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· Rita_H ·

Mar 2026

This tour was just as advertised! Our guide was very knowledgeable & gave lots of info as we traveled on the history of the area and current events & had extensive knowledge of the plants & animals that we encountered! I would highly recommend this your!

· Paula_D ·

Feb 2026

We had a wonderful all day tour with Armando. He is a wealth of information and clearly passionate about the Everglades. We had visited the Everglades previously and this was a totally different experience. Lots of activities were planned, definitely a great value for the price. Armando was accommodating about changing the schedule to minimize our time outside when it rained. Highly recommend this tour company and Armando.

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Overview

Explore the real Everglades with a master naturalist on this full-day adventure. Enjoy a Ten Thousand Islands boat tour to spot birds, manatees, and dolphins; and a master-naturalist-led dry nature hike in Big Cypress National Preserve. Also included are a 1-hour airboat ride far from land into the River of Grass; a visit to a Native tree island village only accessible via boat; time at a historical trading post, and lunch.

Full-day Everglades cruise, hike, and airboat tour with master naturalist
1-hour airboat ride into River of Grass to see alligators and more up-close
1-hour and 20 minutes cruise in Ten Thousand Islands to spot manatees, dolphins, and birds
Visit a Native tree island village and historical trading post
Includes wildlife-spotting experiences in Big Cypress; plus delicious lunch

What's Included

Delicious local lunch, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options
Snacks, soft drinks, water, and sparkling water
Pickup and drop-off at listed locations
Free luggage storage
master naturalist guide
sunscreen, insect repellent, poncos for guest use
National Park maps to keep

Gratuities
Bottled water

We encourage all guests to bring a reusable bottle. We will have refillable water available at all times!

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Wild Lime Adventures will pick up at hotels and vacation rentals and other locations in many Miami, Hollywood, and Ft. Lauderdale areas and neighborhoods. We also pick up from Port Miami .Wild Lime Adventures can drop off at Port Miami and Port Everglades. We can store your luggage on the van throughout the tour! We can drop off at Miami Airport and Ft. Lauderdale Airport. We can provide a convenient meet up location for anyone coming from outside our pick up areas, including those coming from the Keys, Homestead, and other south Miami-Dade County locations. You can also easily do this tour if coming from the West Coast of Florida (Marco Island, Fort Myers and Naples). We can provide a convenient meet up location for those coming from north or west of our pick up range in Ft. Lauderdale. For shared tours, we may not be able to pick up north of Sunrise Blvd. or west of I-95 in Ft. Lauderdale. We provide free luggage stowage. Some guests may decide to be dropped off at the airport, cruise port, or at a different location or hotel at the conclusion of the tour. There is no extra charge for this service, as long as it is within our transportation zone. We assume that guests will be returning to the same pick up or meet up location at the end of the tour unless they make other arrangements with us ahead of time. We are usually able to provide a broader range of transportation for private tours. The standard pick up time is about 7:15 or 7:30 a.m. However, we will message you the afternoon before the tour to provide you with the exact pick up time. This time will typically be a 10 minute window of time. Please be ready prior to that pick up window.

Meeting point

36073 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194, USA
We will meet you directly across the street at the Miccosukee Gas Station. There is free and safe parking available.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.7:30 am

Itinerary

Miami (Pass By)

Fort Lauderdale (Pass By)

Everglades National Park

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Miccosukee Indian Village

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Oasis Visitor Center

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Big Cypress National Preserve

1 hour 40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Smallwood Store

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Chokoloskee

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Southwest Gulf Coast

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Everglades City

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are also available for lunch
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Supplied by

Frequently Asked Questions (21)

Q:Where do we meet for the Biologist-led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, & Airboat?

A:This tour offers pickup from selected hotels. Be sure to select your hotel when making your reservation. You may also meet directly at the listed meeting location.

Feb 2023

The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Rita_H

Reviews

4.9

based on 727 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Doesn’t Disappoint!

Rita_H, Mar 2026

I had an amazing time on...

Catherine_M, Mar 2026

I had an amazing time on this tour. Not only educational but lots of fun. There were many gator sightings as well as a nest of eggs on one part of the tour. Another part of the tour took us on a hike to a body of water with a resident gator that we got to view close-up. My most memorable experiences on this tour were stepping onto one of the 10,000 mile islands and following a pod of dolphins. I highly recommend this tour.

Half day hike and airboat

Laurie_S, Mar 2026

Very informative and interesting. History and ecology! Our Guide, Mitch, was outstanding. Very comfortable ride to location

Response from Host, Mar 2026

What kind words about your guide Mitch. Thanks for the nice review, come again anytime!

Most authentic way to...

Denise_D, Mar 2026

Most authentic way to experience the Everglades, didn't feel commercialized. My boys (age 5 and 8) loved it! Saw so many alligators and other wildlife!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

I am so happy you saw so much wildlife! Thanks for coming on our tour, we are delighted to hear you and your family had a good time! Thanks!

Full day trip worth the price!

Mike_H, Feb 2026

The travel in the van was a bit longer than expected, but it was a great experience. The day was just as advertised. Make sure you have sunscreen! Our guide Ryan was very pleasant and informative!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for this review and for coming on our adventure! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour!

All things Everglades

Timothy_C, Feb 2026

Our guide Ryan was fantastic. Knew the history and the culture of the Everglades. The tour was well organized. Was the best way to see from one end of the Everglades to the other

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you so much for coming and for writing a review; it's great to hear you appreciated the tour's organization!

Got to see many wildlives and learn about the habitats and ecosystem.

Hanh_T, Feb 2026

This is one of the best day tours we have taken; and my friends and I are very seasoned travelers. The activities are very well organized. Our guide, Mitchell, is really knowledgeble about the wildlives and their habitats, and explains them very clearly. The captain of the jet boat ride was the highlight of the trip. I forgot his name but remember that he was 77 years old. He got dolphins playfully chasing the wake of the boat. It was quite a show. At the end of day, we checked off just about every large birds on the checklist.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We're delighted to hear that this is one of the best tours you've taken, that's truly touching! We're happy you saw the dolphins and lots of birds, and enjoyed your guide Mitch! Thanks so much for coming on our adventure!

Fantastic introduction to the Everglades!!

Susan_W, Feb 2026

Overall we had a great time. Exceedingly informative, staff friendly and helpful, engaged. It was a great pleasure- the lunch provided was outstanding

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We're so glad you had a great time, and enjoyed the included lunch! Thanks so much for coming!

It was okay but I was underwhelmed.

Mark_J, Feb 2026

Very informative. Didn't get to ride the airboat in grass river due to low water and cooler temperatures reduced animal activity

Great option

Randy_C, Feb 2026

Perfect way to start our vacation. We had never been to southern Florida and this was a great way to get a overall look at the Everglades. Arrived one day before our cruise and did this excursion. Just what we needed. Staff was very helpful and friendly.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for writing this review, we're so glad the tour was just what you needed! We appreciate the feedback on the staff as well, thank you for coming!

Amazing day in the Everglades seeing the real Florida

Kelly_H, Feb 2026

We had an incredible all-day Everglades tour with Wild Lime Adventures, and our guide Ryan was an absolute gem. His passion for the Everglades was contagious and you can tell he genuinely loves what he does and deeply cares about this unique ecosystem. Ryan was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating details about the wildlife, plants, history, and conservation efforts throughout the day. He brought the Everglades to life with stories and insights that made everything feel meaningful and memorable. We had a fantastic experience on the River of Grass tour with Captain Brown! We saw so many alligators I lost count, along with a wide variety of beautiful birds. Captain Sawyer on the 10,000 Islands tour was equally amazing. The highlight was watching dolphins play in the wake of the boat. Pure magic! If you’re considering an Everglades tour, Wild Lime Adventures is the way to go — and if you can request Ryan, do it! An unforgettable day.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Wow thank you so much for this beautiful review, sounds like you had an amazing day! :) Thank you for mentioning RYan as well, he's an awesome guide. We're thrilled to hear that your day was unforgettable, thanks so much for coming!!!

Very informative tour!

Paula_D, Feb 2026

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you Paula for this kind review! We're glad you got an in-depth experience of the Everglades; just what we hope for!

A nice day out. Ryan our...

jeffrey_P, Feb 2026

A nice day out. Ryan our guide was very knowledgeable on the history of Florida, the flowers, birds and other animals. very interesting.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for coming on our tour and for taking your time to write a review!

Don’t Go During Dry Season

Zoltan_E, Feb 2026

The experience took place in January. Unfortunately the water levels were low preventing the boating portions of the outing to go to a number of areas in the ten thousand island area and also we couldn’t go into the sawgrass on an airboat. This was completely out of the control of the operators but was personally disappointing because I really wanted to ride through the sawgrass. Nevertheless, the experience was very enjoyable overall despite frigid weather conditions (yes, mid-30’s in the Everglades). The tour guide, Ryan, was very knowledgeable, had interesting facts to share and had a good pace to the outing.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for coming on our tour! Yes, during the dry season, it is more difficult to run some airboats. This year is unusually dry. Still, we're happy you had fun and enjoyed your guide, Ryan!

Wonderful Tour

Cheryl_S, Jan 2026

We toured with Addie who did a fantastic job from start to finish. Communication and pick up was perfect. It was unseasonably cold and Addie picked us up promptly from our hotel in a warm van. She was friendly and took excellent care of us the entire time. We saw so many amazing things with Addie who gave us information about nature and history. She spotted wild life around every turn. We learned so much from her. We saw lots of birds, alligators and even manatees and dolphins. Don't hesitate to book this full day tour. You won't be disappointed.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Wow... thank you so much for this in-depth review! We love Addy! Thank you for coming on our adventure and for recommending us, it really means a lot!

Awesome day!

Harris_B, Jan 2026

Great experience. So much packed into one day. Boats and alligators ant dolphins and manatees and birds and walking. Ryan. our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the ecology and the history of the Everglades and Florida in general. And he was a great guy. Lunch was a treat. Many menu choices and a fantastic cafe. If I come back I’ll do this same tour again.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thanks so much for this review with lots of details! Sounds like you got to see lots of wildlife!

Tour guides are experts...

Colleen_E, Jan 2026

Tour guides are experts and make the trip worthwhile and fun! Unfortunately the trip description was not accurate on Viator due to lack of water which prevented part of the journey. Evidently this has been for sometime so it should have been updated.

Great day!

RICHARD_W, Jan 2026

Lots of wildlife including porpoises swimming alongside the boat. A wonderfully full day. Each guide was informative and a joy to spend the day with.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for this kind review and for coming along on our adventure! We're happy you got to see some dolphins!

Tour guide was...

Jefferson_P, Jan 2026

Ryan was knowledgeable and witty, and the birding/fauna/wildlife were amazing. Long day but definitely worth it. Great crash course in SW Florida history and geology as well.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

We're glad you enjoyed the educational aspects of the tour and saw lots of wildlife! Thank you for this review and for coming with us!

Fantastic day appreciating & observing nature!

JoAnn_B, Jan 2026

Our guide, Ryan, was an absolute wealth of knowledge and we learned so much about The Evergladees, the Miccosukee people, birds, plants, mammals, reptiles, history & more! As someone who loves birds and all nature, this was a treat! Ryan made sure we were all comfortable and stayed hydrated and fed on a rather warm January day. Our airboat operator, Levi, made the ride fun while maintaining safety for both us and all the creatures in the water. His experience in spotting some of the more elusive birds & reptiles was admirable. The second boat ride we took was in Chokoloskee Bay was led by Tim ? (- sorry!). In addition to showing us tons of bird life, he and the other boat operator for our group were able to safely make wakes in the water with their boats that encouraged a small pod of 3 dolphins + a baby to swim along side the boats for some distance - it was awesome!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Wow, we're beyond delighted to hear such amazing comments about Ryan! I'm happy you had fun on the tour and got to see some wildlife! Thank you so much for coming!

The tour was everything I...

Matti_T, Jan 2026

The tour was everything I hoped it would be. Lindsay was a great guide and everything worked out fantastically.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words — we’re thrilled to hear the tour lived up to your hopes! Lindsay will be so happy to hear this. She’s a fantastic guide, and we’re glad everything came together so smoothly for your day. Thank you for choosing Wild Lime Adventures, and we hope to have you join us again in the future.

Loved it all!

Vinoo_N, Jan 2026

Our guide Addie's love for what she does was obvious which I think is enough said. A very pleasant experience as she regaled us with wonderful stories and personal encounters. Tour was well organized. Starting with a phone call the previous day and a text with clear instructions on meeting at a gas station. Then driving over to free parking, and getting on the tour van with 15 people. We were met with awesome sights of alligators and herons and egrets on the airboat ride, then to a calm oasis to see more gators and birds and fish galore, yummy delicious organic lunch with the best fries ever! Next up was the 10000 islands regular open boat tour with cormorants, ospreys, dolphins, ibis, egrets and a flock of floating white pelicans. The story of Calusa people who lived there and the strategic mangroves/islands they built/engineered was an eye opener. It ended with a slow paced nature walk dotted with native plants, swamp/cypress dome and trees. There were crocodiles, manatees and bald eagles spotted on the way along with herons and gators all along the canal side of the drive . The whole family enjoyed and all of us echoed wanting to repeat the tour. Weather was just perfect at this time on Jan 2 with no humidity.Thank you for a wonderful experience in Florida everglades.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Wow, we really appreciate you taking the time to write this very intricate review! Thank you for coming on our tour, it was a pleasure! We're delighted to hear that you and your family had a great day!

Prepare to be amazed!

Randi_N, Jan 2026

I was amazed with this tour! The airboats were a blast! The lunch was delicious! Besides the fun, Addy shared her knowledge and passion for this special place! The eco system of this area is so interesting! She took the time to find all the spots to see the wildlife! I'm so glad that I chose this tour! Thanks again Addy!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

We're thrilled to hear you were amazed with the tour! Addy is truly amazing. Thank you for coming, come again anytime!

Everglade Experience!

Terri_H, Jan 2026

Ryan and Mitch with Wild Lime Adventures were awesome. Ryan is very knowledgable about they area, fauna and flora and history. Amazing day visiting the Florida Everglade! Plus we saw a ton of wildlife! Alligators, a crocodile, manatees, dolphins, giant blue heron, white pelicans, egrets, osprey and even 2 bald eagles! Two boat rides and a nature walk, what an experience one I will never forget!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

We appreciate you taking the time to writing this review and mention your guides Ryan and Mitch! Sounds like a great day! Thanks so much for coming!

Ryan is the man!

AnnaMarie_B, Jan 2026

This is a loooong day, but definitely worth it!! You will be riding around A LOT, but our tour guide, Ryan, was able to keep me entertained with his abundant knowledge of Florida and its history! It was a highlight for our short FL getaway.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for your review and for mentioning Ryan! Yes, often the driving does take a little time on some tours due to the vastness of the Everglades. We're very happy you enjoyed the tour and our guide's historical and biological knowledge!

We booked this trip as a...

Stephenie_M, Jan 2026

We booked this trip as a way to see the diverse offering of the national park in one day, and it did not disappoint! Our guide, Stacey, was friendly, knowledgeable and organized. It was unseasonably cold, and the guides came prepared with blankets and other accommodations to help make some of the boat excursions more comfortable. Overall, it was a SUPER cool day.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much! We're delighted to hear that you had a good time on our tour despite the chilly weather!

Wild lime tours just do it

Joan_P, Dec 2025

Perfectly curated tour with wildl lime tours . Isaiah was a brilliant tour guide and the boat trips were amazing so many amazing memories I loved the thousand island boat tour we seen so much wildlife today thank you

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for coming! We're so happy you made memories on our tour and saw lots of wildlife! Always the experience we hope for.

Amazing! Highly Recommend!

Daria_U, Dec 2025

We went on the full day biologist led Everglades and 10,000 Islands tour. Our main tour guide Addie was amazing! Learned so much in the history and science of this part of Florida. They picked us up from our hotel and took care of lunch and snacks too. A+ experience!

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you for taking your time to leave this review and for mentioning your guide Addy! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the historical and scientific aspects of the tour; thanks for coming!

Great Day

Melanie_F, Dec 2025

The tour was great. Used local providers for the 2 boat rides and lunch. Ryan was great and very knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

We’re so glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you again on your next visit!

If you’re on the fence...

Brandon_G, Dec 2025

If you’re on the fence about this excursion, just do it! This is the best way to experience the Everglades, imo. It is a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and learning. Our guide Lindsey was awesome! She is extremely accommodating and knowledgeable. She goes out of her way to keep everyone safe and will make sure you have fun. She’s a huge science nerd, and I mean that in the best way! She was extremely knowledgeable about everything we saw and her excitement about animals is contagious! The tour itself is very well paced. We never found ourselves waiting for anything nor did anything feel rushed. The dolphin viewing was our favorite part! This is the best way to see the real South Florida. You won’t regret it! Ask Lindsey!!

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Wow thank you for taking the time to write this great review! Yes, Lindsey is very knowledgeable! We're glad you enjoyed the tour, thank you so much for coming!