Its vibrant nightlife, amazing beaches, and luxurious shopping centers are some of the things that readily come to mind when Miami as a location is mentioned. Of course, Miami offers these but more.
Speaking of the other things that The Magic City has to offer, the thrills associated with airboat tours on its Everglades are one such. It promises the time of your life as many people who have had such experience claim. Well, read on as this article is about to discuss this and a few other subjects.
About the Everglades
This wildlife sanctuary, among the many other things that it is, is a natural wonder in every sense of the word. For starters, it is a safe haven for a cluster of wildlife, making it valuable, especially at a time when wildlife is being threatened by the extinction and near extinction of several animals. Speaking of animals that the Everglades houses, they include a wide range of:
- Fishes & Amphibians – Such as Florida Gar and Largemouth Bass
- Mammals – Such as River Otter, Florida Panther, West Indian Manatee, and White-Tailed Deer
- Reptiles – Such as American Crocodile, American Alligator, and several snake species such as – non-native Burmese python and eastern Diamondback rattlesnake
- Birds – Such as Roseate Spoonbill, Osprey, Wood Stork, and Great Blue Heron
- Invertebrates – This includes insects such as beetles, butterflies, and dragonflies, as well as crustaceans such as crayfish and freshwater shrimps
The Everglades provide a safe and suitable environment for many of these animals. As a result, touring the Everglades offers the chance to see that breathtaking side of nature that includes animals like these and more. Furthermore, there is so much to cover considering that the environment sprawls wetlands of around 1.5 million-acre.
Everglade Exploration with Airboat Tours
Airboat tours are certainly not the only way to explore this nature-rich wetland environment and what it has to offer. Alternatives include:
- Kayaking/Canoeing – Several trails allow for this possibility. Florida, Nine Mile Pond, and Hell’s Bay trails are prime examples
- Hiking & Walking – The Shark Valley, as well as the Anhinga and Gumbo trails, allow for this
- Biking – Bikers can take advantage of the Shark Valley’s loop and dedicated bicycle trails
- Scenic Drives – This option is possible by going through the Loop road or the U.S. 41 (also known as the Tamiami Trail)
- Camping – There are both frontcountry and backcountry camping sites. The latter usually offers a more rugged experience and there are more stringent requirements involved
These are some of the possibilities for exploring Miami’s Everglades besides the use of airboats. However, many people who have explored this large expanse of unique wetland environment strongly recommend the airboat tour option. Some of their reasons include:
Speed
Not every tourist has the luxury of time. Some people need to explore as much as possible within a short time. Nothing beats the use of airboats in this regard. These machines move at a quick pace if required.
Coverage
There are many sides of the Everglades that you can experience even while you are on a time budget. For starters, this is because of the pace of these machines as mentioned above.
However, it is also about their ability to reach parts that cannot be reached with other options. This includes very shallow waters & vegetation in extremely remote areas. There is certainly no stopping an airboat in the Everglades.
Safety
Many animals in these environments are wild animals. As a result, safety is of the essence, which is why choosing a safe exploration option is important.
Airboat exploration is one of the safest options. For example, it is way safer than kayaking as accidents and injuries caused by wide animals like alligators and crocodiles can occur. To see a prime example of such experience, you can watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZGegFUzcAY.
The safety of airboat tours is further enhanced by the expertise and experience of tour guides. This is as instructions will be reeled out and you would also not have to worry about safe navigation or even logistics.
Convenience
Airboat tours are the most convenient way to explore the Everglades. This is because less physical effort is required. It is also about weather protection because of its design which offers reasonable shelter.
Year-Round Accessibility
Of course, it is better to explore this environment during certain periods than others. However, airboats offer the possibility of exploration at all times. This is unlike the case with alternatives such as hiking and kayaking.
Wildlife Viewing
Having the time of your life during such tours is mostly about key sightings. The expertise and experience of tour guides during these airboat tours come in handy for this reason. They know how to get their tourists to see amazing things at the spur of the moment.
By the way, there is an irony with airboats but one that offers wildlife viewing benefits. It is that airboats can be quite noisy. However, this noise is known to attract wildlife, making it easier to have great sightings.
Furthermore, the seats of these aquatic transport machines are usually elevated. This makes sightseeing way easier.
Tips for Having a Memorable Everglade Airboat Tour
Choosing to explore the Everglades with airboats is a huge step in the right direction. It offers a lot more than other alternatives offer, as explained in the aforementioned section. However, there are still things to be done in the spirit of having a very memorable experience. To this end, below are some tips to be implemented:
Advance Booking
Tour availability can be uncertain, especially during certain periods – peak periods. As a result, it is better to book well ahead so that your spot can be secured.
There could also be economic benefits to this. This is because the cost of these tours can be significantly higher during certain periods. So, early booking during periods when Everglade airboat tour demand is low can save you quite a lot.
Wear Something Comfortable
You should bear in mind current climatic and weather conditions when choosing what to wear. This is so that these conditions do not make you feel uncomfortable while you are supposed to be having a thrilling experience.
For example, the use of sun protective items such as sunscreen and hats, as well as wearing something lightweight is recommended during periods when the sun is intense. This is about ensuring your optimal comfort and that nothing distracts your sightseeing experience.
Use a Camera
You are set to have the time of your life during an Everglade airboat tour and the least you can do is to visually record the experience and excitement. So, do not leave your camera behind as there is so much to see and be thrilled about. You can check here to see some amazing photos of captured wildlife during such tours.
Adhere to the Guide’s Instructions
Certain instructions would be given to tourists by expert guides during such tours. These instructions must be strictly adhered to.
Overall, two kinds of instructions are issued during such tours. The first and the most obvious are safety instructions. The second is instructions geared towards ensuring that tourists have an exciting time.
Wrap Up
Exploration of Miami’s Everglades offers a very thrilling experience for tourists. However, this is also down to the choice of exploration option, which is why airboat tours have been strongly recommended here and the reasons given. Furthermore, additional tips on how to make the experience as memorable as possible have been given and should be taken seriously.