Full-Day Kayak Adventure in the Everglades

Overview

Everglades kayaking and slogging adventure at it's best! Enjoy an eco-tour in the Everglades and experience nature in the best way possible from the top rated Everglades tour available. This tour is the real deal and you can experience the beauty and excitement of the Everglades without the noise of an airboat or large group.
We try to limit our groups to 8-10 but can take larger groups easily with advanced notice.

City: Florida

Sat 16 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $189.74

Make a reservation

Sat 16 Nov

Starting at $189.74

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Trip includes experienced Everglades guide, single or double kayak, life jacket, mosquito resistant clothing if needed.

Landing and facility fees

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
People with special needs welcome, please let us know how we can accommodate you
Moderate level of fitness
Minimum age is 5 years
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
All of our guides and employees are fully vaccinated

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (492)

JungleJanet

Nov 2011

Oh geez! I hate to be a Debbie Downer...and trust me trip advisor friends...this is my first negative review. And I hate it.... Garl is a very nice guy with a great enthusiasm for the Everglades...think Boy Scout on steroids and you get the picture. And so what's the problem? Well, for one, we paid $320 per couple for a day with Garl to get out in the Everglades and take pictures of all the wildlife that the Everglades had to offer. It was my husband's 60th birthday present from me. A day full of picture opportunities. He could hardly wait. We met up with Garl and 3 other people and headed off for a long drive to a sandwich shop where we were told to buy a sandwich and bring a bottle of wine for the lunch and sunset....which we did. He then took us to a famous fruit stand and we got a smoothie...thank goodness! As it turns out, it would be the only food we got all day. We then headed to the park and we slogged out to a "gator hole" through dark, slimy, mud up to our mid thighs, where after a half hour hike we saw....NOTHING. Oh, I take that back. We did see a woodpecker which I look at in my backyard everyday. OK...be a good sport...lets continue on to the kayaking. We arrived at Flamingo entrance which is on the ocean. We were told that we would be astounded by all the wildlife there. It was windy...as in 20 mile per hour winds, but we all got in our kayaks as instructed and after paddling HARD for what seemed an eternity, got to photograph ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Why was that? Well..my husband and I were so busy trying to keep up with the eager beaver that there was no time to even snap a picture of the few birds we saw. He and his German date were so far ahead of the rest of us that shouts could not get his attention as the other woman in the kayak became ill from the exertion and starting throwing up. She and her husband turned back half way. We continued on....surely there would be something cool to see. Hey! What about that lunch? It was now nearly sunset and we were starving. Why in the heck did we bring a bottle of wine? Clearly not the romantic scene I had envisioned. We finally got his attention and told him that the other couple had gone back and we were going to as well. Didn't seem to matter much. He listened to what we had to say and then ONCE AGAIN took off way ahead of us. Aren't guides supposed to hang with their customers and tell them interesting facts along the way, and oh, I don't know maybe give them something of what they advertised? Look...I know it's not his fault that wildlife may not be as plentiful in November....but come on. We should have done an Everglade lake. Not the ocean in hard winds. We ended up strarving, exhausted and without any pictures. No... I take that back. There is one of a grumpy middle-aged woman "slogging" through the swamps just to see a woodpecker. Needless to say...we all bagged the proposed "night walk" and went home with our lunches still packed and our wine unopened. To his credit....when we returned he offered us a partial refund which I gladly took. So Trip Advisor readers...if you're under 30 and in great physical shape and vacation at just the right time....Garl's your guide. I for one was greatly disappointed. Sorry Garl....I know this screws with your number one status. I just tell it like it is.

Response from Host

Feb 2012

As a professional organization, it is Garl's Coastal Kayaking's responsibility to respond to this review. Garl's Coastal Kayaking takes great pride in our customers comfort and knowledge about the Everglades. We go to places that are not easily accessed by the public. While we do this in a way that is safe, fun, and informative for all abilities, it is still a very wild place. Sometimes Mother Nature has ideas other than; the ideal breeze, a little cloud cover, and no bugs. Never the less, we make certain that our customers are well informed about the conditions before we proceed. The more important reason for writing this response, is that the reviewer not only misrepresents Garl's Coastal Kayaking by portraying this organization in a way that is false, but more importantly, misrepresents Everglades National Park by calling it a "swamp". It would be like walking up to the Grand Tetons and saying, "Is this it?" While we understand that beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, one thing stands true. Garl's Coastal Kayaking has the utmost respect for all of our customers and strives for the best experience possible. If you (the reader) are interested in having a truly great experience in the Everglades and Florida Keys with the most qualified guides, please read all of the reviews to inform your decision. It would be a missed opportunity if this one review turned anyone away from the experience of a lifetime with Garl's Coastal Kayaking.

CuriousTrvl

Nov 2011

Back in June, I signed on for the Everglades coastal kayaking tour with Garl. This would be my first outdoor experience since I was child. I typically enjoy nature through a window and wanted to expand my horizons without becoming a lost in the wilderness news story. My biggest concern was the quality of the guide and the swarms of mosquitos. Any reservations I had about Garl evaporated when the scent of the Everglades greeted me when I climbed into the van. This was definitely an outdoor person. He earned a 5 star rating when he came equiped with extensive mosquito repeling gear. With Garl, you feel as if you have been invited to spend the day at his home. He knows the area so well that he easily adapts the walks and kayaking to your comfort level. Just when I thought I was going to lose my mind from all the mosquitos, Garl would head back to the van for the next stop. At first, I was upset to see the severity of the drought. I figured I would not see much, but I departed with a camera full of pictures of snakes, alligators, various birds, sharks, and so forth. The best part was Garl moving in closer to provide phenomenal shots of cottonmouth snakes and other creatures best kept at distance. Garl rocked and I look forward to returning after the rainy season when the Everglades are thriving again.

diving_blonde

Oct 2011

Garl's hiking and kayaking tour of the Everglades was so amazing; it was far better than the typical "eco-tour". Our small group of 3 went on the full day tour, which for me wasn't long enough. The first part of the day we hiked through cypress domes, explored alligator holes, bird watched. Then we kayaked all afternoon where we saw Saltwater Crocs, Lemon Sharks, Manatees, Roseate Spoonbills and a beautiful pair of Bald Eagles. Before finishing our paddle back we enjoyed a relaxing glass of wine while watching the sunset. To finish up our day we went on an exciting night hike where we saw snakes, gators (even baby gators), tree frogs and geckos. Garl is a spectacular guide, he is extremely knowledgeable of the natural world and he takes pride in showing his groups the wild beauty of the Everglades. I had the time of my life; I can’t wait to go back next year!