If you do anything in South Florida, this is the trip to do. Seriously. It's a MUST.
Our day with Garl ended up being the highlight of the whole trip. Garl is the now the most experienced guide in Everglades National Park, having been there now longer than all of the rangers. He knows all the trails, knows many alligators and crocodiles by name, and is the best guide you can get in the area.
On our 8-hour tour we got to see three different ecosystems up-close. The slog through the cypress domes was magical. Then we kayaked for a few hours through freshwater mangrove tunnels. Garl said that he's had to rescue the boats of people who get lost in the tunnels, and I believe it! We were glad to have him to guide us. We saw a crocodile there up-close. Then we kayaked in the ocean and saw lots of sharks up-close, fish jumping, and flocks of sea birds. We kayaked back during a gorgeous Florida sunset. Garl took pictures throughout that he sent to us after.
All in all the memories and experiences will stay with us forever. It really was one of those lifechanging, unforgettable days.
Book the tour. You won't regret it!