We read a bunch of reviews on Trip Advisor and they all mentioned Don as the tour guide. We were extremely excited when we found out we had Garl, the owner, as our guide. My boyfriend and I have been on similar tours so we expected to be in a large group, and hoped we didn't end up with any newbies to the outdoors. Fortunately, it was only us and one other guy who happened to be a local scuba instructor. We left for the Everglades, stopping at a fantastic fruit stand called Robert is Here, where we bought some fresh mangoes for the trip. We arrived at the Everglades, and started off by slogging through a cypress dome, where we encountered Snaggletooth and Princess, two alligators, along with a variety of snakes, birds, lizards, orchids, trees, and other wildlife. Garl goes barefoot (like a true outdoorsman) but provides booties for those with softer feet. He knows the place like the back of his hand, and a sense of humor is required for his candid pictures. Did we mention he is also an amazing photographer? Check out the website to see what we mean. He will take enough pictures for you if you don't have a waterproof camera. We then kayaked through fresh then saltwater habitats. We didn't expect to see so much variation between the two areas of the park. The saltwater leg of the journey was our favorite, the birds, marine life, and scenery were nothing short of spectacular. The kayaking could be extensive for those who are out of shape or inexperienced, but the trip is definitely worth the effort. If you expect to see a certain species call ahead and they will let you know the best season to come out. Garl impressively points out birds, sharks, reptiles, plant life and other types of organisms you encounter. We ended the kayaking with wine and cheese as we watched the sunset on the bay. After sunset, the trip ended with a (dry) night walk where we witnessed a gator feeding frenzy. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who knows the land and creatures better than Garl. He really cares about the Everglades and makes a constant effort to care for them and preserve them. Other tour companies are out there, but they are cheap copycats of his tours. We witnessed a large group led by another company trampling through the cypress dome, destroying and disturbing the surrounding wildlife. Expect to end the day dirty and tired, but extremely fulfilled and satisfied. The day is long (over 12 hours including travel time) so eat a hearty breakfast, bring a lunch/snacks, water, a change of clothes and a good attitude! Garl's tour is definitely a once in a lifetime experience, although we plan to come back and do it again :)