My wife & I went on this tour in 2007 & re-visited this October with family. We stayed at Englewood 90 minutes away from the pick up point. So our day started at 5am [are we not on holiday said the 16 year old?]. Picked up in Fort Myers on time 7.35am [managed to get a quick breakfast before leaving].
In 2007 the days programme was airboat, drive, speed boat & Cypress walk. This time airboat, Cypress walk, speed boat & drive. Wife & I preferred the 2007 programme.
The drive seemed very long at the end of the day. When it is in the middle you still have the speed boat into the mangrove's to look forward to.
Our tour guide, Doug was very experienced & knowledgeable not just covering the Everglades but Florida in general.
On the airboat we saw many different types of wildlife including alligator's, ospreys, bald eagle, heron's etc. The airboat guide knew where he could find alligator's out of the water sunbathing.
Cypress walk [no mosquitoes] interesting for trees, fauna etc. We did find a female alligator hiding within.
Lunch ordered on the way to Everglades City. Ready for us on arrival, everyone enjoyed.
Speedboat into mangroves off Everglades City, interesting. Guide was different, knew how to 'scare' his passengers. Also knew where to find dolphins & how to attract them.
Drive through the Everglades National Park is interesting & you do see plenty of alligators, birds, mammals etc.
We returned to the pick up point at 6pm.