Have you been thinking about paying a visit to the Everglades, Florida? If the answer is yes, then there is absolutely no doubt that you have heard quite a lot about this place already, and that it has captured your attention thanks to the beauty of its nature, as well as the versatility of its wildlife, including some of the endangered species, such as the American Crocodile, Florida Panther and similar. In short, you are sure to enjoy the landscapes, as well as the majestic animals that have found their home in the Everglades National Park.
Speaking of, you may want to check out some of the animals you can see there before moving forward: https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/things-to-do/parks-recreation/wildlife-in-everglades-national-park
Anyway, if you’ve done any research whatsoever, you’ve understood that the Everglades National Park is very much worth visiting, and that you want to experience the beautiful nature and the mesmerizing wildlife that you’ll get to see. But, while you’ve been doing that research, you have also probably come across one specific method of exploring this area. In short, I am referring to the idea of taking an airboat tour to complete the exploration. Of course, you don’t want to rush into anything and make things happen before figuring out precisely if this may be right for you, and before getting answers to some important questions.
For one thing, you want to know what an Everglades airboat tour is, and whether you should take it. But then, the thing that you’re probably most curious about is when it is that you should take this tour, that is, what time of day could be the best for it. So, let us now proceed towards providing you with these answers and thus hoping to not only help you make up your mind, but also understand what to expect and get properly prepared, knowing precisely when to take this tour during your Everglades visit. Anyway, without further ado, let us begin answering those questions.
What Exactly Is an Airboat Tour in the First Place?
Before we can get to talking about any more specific things, such as covering the topic of what the best time of day for this journey really is, we have to make sure that you understand precisely what an airboat tour is in the first place. You’ve heard about it already, you’ve figured out that it is quite popular, and you’ve probably even thought about giving it a try. What you want to do now, though, is get a clearer understanding of what this particular tour entails.
So, in short, airboat tours seem to be the most exciting way to explore the Everglades. It consists of you being driven on a flat-bottomed watercraft known as an airboat, across the Everglades. Perhaps the reason why these are used instead of regular inboard or outboard engine, since those wouldn’t work, is the actual depth, or better yet shallowness, of the wetland you’re visiting. Go here to get a better understanding about how to plan this journey in the Everglades.
Anyway, these tours are created with adventure in mind. They are aimed at providing you with a perfect journey across the Everglades, while also allowing you to have a close look at some of its attractions, including the wildlife. So, if you take this tour, you’ll not only enjoy the ride, but you’ll also love everything you’ll see along the way, from the amazing landscapes to the majestic wildlife.
What Is the Best Time of Day for It?
Now that you’ve understood what an airboat tour is in the first place, chances are that you are most likely wondering when it is that you should take one in the Everglades National Park. To be more precise, you are wondering about the best time of day when you should do it. Of course, there’s no denying the fact that you will have to consider the seasons as well when trying to make this decision. And things can be explained a bit differently when it comes to the seasons in the Everglades, so let’s step out of the conventional 4-season division.
To put it simply, there is the wet and the dry season in the Everglades, with the wet spanning from May to October, and the dry season spanning from November to April, as it is perfectly logical. Now, the truth is that you can take a tour in both of these seasons, but they offer kind of different experiences, so you have to figure out what it is that you want first, and then make this decision. What kinds of experiences do they offer, though?
Well, the dry season usually comes with more comfortable temperatures, as well as lower humidity. Not to mention that there are far less mosquitoes. Furthermore, the wildlife is much more densely concentrated around the water sources, meaning you’ll have higher chances of seeing some interesting animals, such as wading birds, alligators and more. All of that makes this season extremely popular for airboat tours.
On the other hand, the wet season can be a good choice if you’re looking to explore the lush greenery of the Everglades and have a more serene experience due to fewer crowds. Of course, we cannot fail to mention that rainstorms are frequent during this season, although they are quite short-lived, so a bit of extra preparation should do the trick and make the experience enjoyable. The water levels will also be higher in this season.
Having understood what the different seasons bring to the table, you are not most probably interested in choosing the best time of the day for your airboat tour. Well, the truth is that you are the only one who can decide for yourself what the best option would be. Here are, however, some things you should know – things that could help you make the decision.
Morning tours are quite popular because of the cooler temperatures, especially in the dry season. Furthermore, mornings are the prime time for spotting wildlife, and they are also the quieter time, meaning that they offer quite a serene experience. The midday, on the other hand, will guarantee warmth, as well as a livelier experience overall, but some animals may hide in the shades, making it more difficult to spot them. The late afternoon is the perfect time for photographers and people looking to enjoy the stunning visuals created by the warm, golden hues washing over the landscapes. And then, there is the nighttime tour, allowing you to spot some nocturnal animals that may be hiding during the day, while also providing some relief from the heat.
How to Choose the Right Tour?
Once you consider the different times of day, and cross reference them to your expectations and desires, you’ll be ready to make your choice. But then, you’ll have to proceed towards choosing the right provider of the tour, and thus the perfect tour. Of course, when checking out the providers, on their site you’ll be able to find the necessary information about all the types of Everglade tours they are offering. So, you’ll get to easily check what suits you best.
It goes without saying that you should choose a journey that aligns with your expectations. But it should also go without saying that you want to choose a provider that is reliable and well-reputed, and that offers fair prices. Therefore, make sure to read some reviews, as well as compare the prices, and ultimately decide on the perfect option for you.