Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Meet, What to Bring, What to Expect

1. Where do we meet and park?
2. Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Eco Tour - Alligators and Orchids Kayak Eco Tour
3. Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour - Everglades National Park Kayak Eco Tour - Everglade National Park Sea Kayak Tour -
4. What time do we need to be there?
5. How long are the tours?
6. What do I Need to Bring?
7. Everglades National Park Pass?
8. Will we be in a single kayak or tandem?
9. Will we get wet?
10. What if it rains or the weather gets bad?
11. What is your cancellation policy?
12. Are the tours safe?
13. What about alligators?
14. Do you guarantee seeing wildlife?
15. What are the best tours?
16. Is the paddling hard? Do I need experience?
17. Are the tours suitable for children?
18. Is the tour suitable for elderly?
19. Do you supply life jackets?
20. Is there a bathroom?
21. Where should we stay overnight?

1. Where do we meet and park? 

 We have several meet locations depending on the tour - PLEASE CHECK YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL!
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2. Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Eco Tour - Alligators and Orchids Kayak Eco Tour

For the tours above the meet location is:
32016 Tamiami Trail East
Everglades City, FL 34139
(This is the parking lot of the old Everglades Area Chamber Building. It is now closed. The Marathon gas station across the road has restrooms. Please look for a pickup truck towing a kayak trailer. You will follow your guide to the launch location and park your vehicle there. There are restrooms at the launch site)
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3. Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour - Everglades National Park Kayak Eco Tour - Everglade National Park Sea Kayak Tour

For these tours, you will meet us on Chokoloskee Island. Look for the blue building that looks and feels like it belongs in Key West. You really cannot miss it.
Everglades Area Tours
238 Mamie Street
Chokoloskee FL. 34138
239-695-3633
(Just keep driving. You can't stay lost long. The Island is only 145 acres! Parking is available at the meet location)
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4. What time do we need to be there?

Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your tour departure time so that you can get checked in, use the restrooms, etc. We try to leave on time.
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5. How long are the tours?

The Mangrove Tunnel, Alligator & Orchids and the Everglades National Park Kayak Eco Tours are 3 hours in duration
The Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour is ~3 1/2 hours in duration.
The Everglades National Park Sea Kayak Tour is 6-7 hours in duration
The tours can be a bit more or less depending on the day and what we encounter during the tour.
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6.What do I Need to Bring/Wear?

Please bring hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, shoes that you do not mind getting wet and water in a reusable container. Try not to bring “flip-flops”. Shoes that strap to your feet and will stay on are the best. For the most part, you will not need insect repellent. But you may want to bring some “just in case”. Also, please bring/wear weather-appropriate clothing. In the winter a (light) jacket may be appropriate. In the summer, particularly in the afternoon, rain gear is a good idea. All your guides will be wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts for sun protection. Don’t forget your cameras. NOTE: All the tours that meet in Chokoloskee are conducted in Everglades National Park. For these tours, you will also need an Everglades National Park Pass.
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7. Everglades National Park Pass?

Like most national and state parks, there is an entrance fee. However, there is no "entrance gate" in Everglades City or Chokoloskee. However, as of February 1st 2019, the National Park Service requires all Everglades National Park guests to be in possession of a park pass. Most people purchase a one week vehicle pass that covers everyone in the vehicle. If you may visit other parks, you may want to consider an Annual or Senior pass. It is our understanding that these passes also cover everyone in your party. Passes can be purchased via this link https://yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/park/ever)). If you have any questions, please call the Park at 305-242-7700 (https://www.nps.gov/ever/contacts.htm) NOTE: You DO NOT need a Park Pass for the Mangrove Tunnel or Alligators & Orchids Kayak Eco Tours
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8. Will we be in a single kayak or tandem?

Mostly a tandem. We encourage the use of tandem kayaks, particularly in the tunnels. These tours are fun, yes. But, they are also very educational. Tandems cut the number of kayaks in half and keep guests closer to the guide so that all can hear what he/she is saying. We have a limited number of kayaks that can be nestled in the bow of the boat. Tandems are used on this tour. Your guides will try to accommodate requests for single kayaks as they can. But, group dynamics, the tour and conditions may dictate tandems. Private tours are available, of course.
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9. Will we get wet??

Not really. You will get your feet wet getting in and out of kayaks as you must step in the water. While paddling, you can expect water to drip off the paddles.
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10. What if it rains or the weather gets bad?

Well if it rains while we are on tour, we will get wet …HA! Please see the cancellation policy question below.
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11. What is your cancellation policy?

Fortunately, we are in an area where weather rarely forces us to cancel a tour. We have many choices and options in this wonderful area. However, the captain and guide has the ultimate responsibility for your safety and will make all "GO" or "NO-GO" decisions. In the case of a "NO-GO '' decision, you will have an option to re-schedule, receive a non-expiring gift certificate or join another tour that is not affected.

During the months of June through September into October, South Florida becomes a tropical/subtropical paradise. The heating of the peninsula's land mass triggers afternoon thunderstorms and convective sea breezes, so we encourage guests to book our experiences in the mornings during these months. We will conduct the tours in the afternoons, if desired by our guests. If the tour departs and we must return due to bad weather, we will refund up to 50% of the tour value, prorated.

EvergladesKayaking.com and EvergladesAreaTours.com want you to enjoy our tours and have a great time so you can tell others!!! All our tours are reserved in advance. However, we realize that situations occur that alter travel schedules and plans. If you cancel your tour prior to 14 days from the scheduled tour date, your deposit will be completely refunded. If you cancel the tour within 14 days prior to the tour date, you will be offered an option to reschedule the tour to another date. However, if the tour cannot be rescheduled, the deposit amounts may be forfeited or a gift certificate issued for the deposited amount at our sole discretion. If a tour date is canceled within two days of the tour date, the complete tour booking fees may be forfeited, gift certificate issued or the trip rescheduled at our sole discretion.
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12. Are the tours safe?

Of course, it is safe ...and fun and very educational. The boats are extremely stable as are the kayaks. We carry all required safety equipment required by the US Coast Guard and the National Park Service… life preservers, fire extinguishers, signaling devices, etc. Plus, we track each boat by satellite. We have not lost anyone yet!
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13. What about alligators?

The Mangrove Tunnel and Alligator & Orchid Kayak Eco Tours are conducted in alligator habitat and we encounter them on most every trip. Please know that we always maintain a respectful distance from all wildlife. The alligators that we encounter are NOT fed by humans. They do not associate humans with food and still maintain their natural fear of humans. They are interested in birds, turtles, fish, etc. YOU WILL NOT BE EATEN BY AN ALLIGATOR

We operate our Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tours, the Everglades National Park Kayak Eco Tours and the Sea Kayak Tours in the 10,000 Islands area of Everglades National Park. This is the coastal Everglades and is NOT the habitat of alligators. Please do not expect to see alligators on any of these tours. However, you may encounter dolphins, manatees, herons, egrets, ospreys, sea turtles, eagles, sharks, rays, etc.
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14. Do you guarantee seeing wildlife?

Of course not!. That is for zoos. We are on the water most everyday all year long, so we do have a very good handle on wildlife habits and patterns. However, the wildlife is just that … wild! If it has fins, feet or feathers you can count on it to move. So, we can only encounter what is out there in the short time that you are on tour. Everyday and every tour is different. Depending on the tour, you will learn about the Everglades ecosystems, its rich heritage and long history while searching for dolphins, manatees, alligators, orchids, herons, egrets, ospreys, eagles, sharks, rays, sea turtles, roseate spoonbills, various shorebirds and seabirds.
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15. What are the best tours?

There are two "Must Do" experiences ... both suitable for children. The morning Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Eco Tour (alligators) followed by the afternoon Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour (Dolphins/manatees, sea turtles)
https://evergladeskayaking.com/mangrove-tunnel-kayak-tours.htm
https://evergladeskayaking.com/boat-assisted-kayak-tours.htm
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16. Is the paddling hard? Do I need experience?

Not at all. These are easy-paced kayaking adventures led by a naturalist guide. There are many stops throughout the tour. Your guide will give you a safety briefing and paddling instructions before the tour. The six-hour sea kayak is different and designed for experience paddlers
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17. Are the tours suitable for children?

Yes!! They are suitable for children of all ages, but not recommended for babies. Kids must be able to sit in a kayak seat for a period of three hours. We have tandem kayaks, so an adult can always be in a kayak with a child.
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18. Is the tour suitable for elderly?

Yes!! The tours are suitable for all ages. You will need to squat down to get into the kayaks. On all the tours, except the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tours, we will be in the kayaks for about three hours without standing up. On the Boat Assisted tour the kayaking is much shorter and conducted in two separate parts of the experience.
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19. Do you supply life jackets?

Life jackets are supplied and must be worn during the entire tour.
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20. Is there a bathroom?

Yes!! Bathrooms are available at the launch site, but no restrooms are available during the three hour tour, while in kayaks. The islands that we visit on the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tours do have portable toilets maintained by the National Park Service
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21. Where should we stay overnight??

The Dolphin View is a waterfront 5th wheel directly on the water and just steps from your tours. "The best view on Chokoloskee Island". https://tinyurl.com/Dolphin-View

There is lodging available in Chokoloskee and Everglades City (10 minutes)

• Outdoor Resorts  Click Here
• Chokoloskee Island Park  Click Here
• The Everglades City Motel  Click Here
• The Captains Table  Click Here
• River Wilderness Click Here
• Rod and Gun Club
• The Ivey House Click Here
• Port of the Islands  Click Here
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