Florida Everglades tours are a great way to explore the "River of Grass", Everglades National Park, in South Florida.

Instead of just wandering around the park wondering what you're actually looking at...join a tour and find out!

Shark Valley Trams

The most famous of the Florida Everglades tours is the Shark Valley Tram.

Shark Valley is located on the northern border of the park, on Route 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail. It's a fantastic place, and even the drive to the park is filled with wildlife!

But just wait until you enter Shark Valley. Prepare to be awed at the enormity of the 'Glades and the diversity of life.

The tram tours take about two hours, and the guides are great -- if there's an interesting critter anywhere in sight, they'll stop the tram so everyone can have a look.

Boating Tours

You can take a boat tour in one of two ways -- as a passenger or as a participant.

As a passenger, you can go out of the Everglades City or Flamingo areas and see the Everglades from the outside looking in. You'll be out in either the Gulf of Mexico in the 10,000 Islands area or in Florida Bay off Flamingo, as a passenger on a motor boat.

You can be a participant, too! In the Everglades City area there are eco-tours where from 1 to 6 people are outfitted in canoes or kayaks. With a guide, you paddle around the Everglades area, hear great stories and discover the Everglades in an up-close and personal way.

Airboats

This is kind of a sticky subject in the Everglades. Airboats have been banned from within the National Park boundaries, but still operate outside the park area proper.

The airboats are fun. But that fun comes at somewhat of a price.

The Florida Everglades is a very fragile ecosystem, and there's not another place like it on earth, literally. The airboats are loud, and the really interesting creatures hide when one comes by.

Still, most airboat operators are anxious that you learn more about the Everglades, and not just take the ride and be done. And anything that raises the awareness of the 'Glades helps the cause in some small way.

More Information?

You can find more information on Florida Everglades tours at http://www.great-florida-vacations.com/florida-everglades-tours.html