Everglades Manatee & Wildlife Tour

What this tour is.

The Manatee & Wildlife Tour is our most accessible eco-tour — a relaxed 90-minute boat ride through the calm mangrove channels and back bays of the 10,000 Islands where Florida's iconic gentle giants are most often spotted. It's the entry point for families with very young children, guests who are tight on time, and anyone who wants a genuine Everglades wildlife experience at the most affordable price point we offer.

Manatees congregate in the protected, warmer back bays of the refuge — especially in cooler months. Your Florida Master Naturalist guide knows the exact spots they favor, and times the tour to catch the calm-water windows when manatees and dolphins are most active near the surface.

What you'll experience.

• Manatee viewing — in the protected back bays where they actually live, not where loud airboats chase them off
• Wild dolphins — resident pods of bottlenose dolphins frequently swim alongside the boat
• Roseate spoonbills, herons, ospreys — the full range of 10,000 Islands wading and shore birds
• Calm-water cruising — sheltered mangrove channels and protected bays, even on breezy days
• Quiet, intimate experience — just six guests, your guide, and the wildlife

Who it's for.

Families with toddlers and young children. First-time visitors who want a gentle introduction before booking a longer tour. Guests with a half-morning to spare. Anyone who's been told the 10,000 Islands has manatees and wants to actually see them — without paying premium prices or committing to a half-day on the water.

What's included.

• Florida Master Naturalist guide
• Comfortable, quiet skiff with seating for 6
• USCG-required safety equipment for every guest
• Life jackets for every age, including infants
• Full wildlife narration from start to finish

What to bring.

• Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
• Water and a light snack
• Hat and sunglasses (polarized helps spot wildlife)
• Light jacket for cool mornings
• Camera — you will want it