I did the all day (11:00am to 9:30 pm door -to-door) kayak/hike. The walk was several hours exploring a cypress dome and learning about the threats to the Everglades and the animals. April is dry season so no mosquitoes, just a few biting flies. Don is an amazing wealth of info and pointed out all the snakes, frogs, gators, birds etc that we would have missed otherwise. This trek is ankle deep in mud, but wet season I hear is knee deep. A lot of time was spent on bird watching. I am not a big birder so I would have enjoyed a faster pace.
The ocean kayak along the mangroves was beautiful-saw osprey hunting, dolphins, rays, sharks in the Florida Bay. Tide was going out so the water was only 1 foot deep in areas. Was also treated to the sighting of the manatee in the marina and several osprey nests.
We ran out of time for the second kayak trip, but were treated to wine with the vultures and alligators as we watched the sun set.
I didn't mind missing the second kayak as I was tired, but would suggest giving time checks to the group throughout the day so they can be a part of the decision.
I can't image seeing the Everglades without a guided tour. I would have missed 99% of this unique ecosystem.