The Everglades are a huge, flat wetland in the south of Florida, a slowly flowing sea of sawgrass that is called the River of Grass. Alligators, turtles, many birds and manatees live here. For Florida travelers a tour here is a classic, most striking of all by airboat, which glides across the shallow water.
The airboat tour
The most important thing is the ride on an airboat, a flat boat with a big propeller at the back that whizzes across the shallow water. Several operators start from the Tamiami Trail west of Miami. You usually do not need to reserve, just drive over and ask about the next tour.
Alligators and wildlife
You will practically always see a few alligator eyes above the surface of the water. Along with herons, anhingas, turtles and, with luck, manatees. On short boardwalks like the Anhinga Trail you get close to the wildlife on foot too.
When to go
In summer it is hot, very humid and full of mosquitoes. More pleasant is the dry season from December to April. Then the animals gather at the remaining water holes and are easy to see.
