Read about our adventure to the Everglades National Park Shark Valley area. The Everglades has 3 main entrances and we’re excited to visit the Shark Valley area to do the tram tour. Yesterday, we visited the Gulf Coast Visitor Center as we explored the Tamiami Trail – A Scenic Drive into Real Florida. But read below for more info on the Everglades Shark Valley tram tours and airboat rides!
Background
For Paul’s birthday this year, he wanted to spend time with as much family as possible on the beach. So, we booked a week stay at a timeshare in Pompano Beach right on the ocean. A week at the beach sounds nice, but Paul was looking for adventure. So, he planned 3 different days of adventures in South Florida with different members of our family. Visiting the Everglades Shark Valley area is one we had planned in advance.
There are basically two ways to explore Shark Valley’s and its 15 mile paved loop trail: by bicycle or by tram. You can rent bikes for $22 on a first-come, first served basis. If you can get bikes for everyone, a typical ride around the loop would take 2-3 hours. Or you can book a 2-hour guided tram tour for $28 with discounts for seniors and children. Along with us, we had our moms as well as our daughter and Becky’s brother Kelly. Our daughter still has her training wheels and who knows the last time our moms rode a bike. There is no way we could do 15 miles on a warm day in June, so we decided on the guided train tour. You can read about these offerings at: Everglades National Park Tours | Everglades Tram Tours (sharkvalleytramtours.com).
The Plan
After reading their webpage, Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov), we decided to book in advance. Luckily we were not going in the peak winter season, which apparently can get very crowded. But we wanted to ensure we could get there early enough since it was about 1.5 hours from where we are staying. So, we booked the tram tour for 11:00 in the morning, planning to get there early. There is a $30 fee per vehicle just to enter the Everglades Shark Valley entrance. However, we bought an annual pass last year for $80 before our road trip to Arizona, and it was still valid. If you are planning to visit multiple parks in a year, this is a great deal. And unlike Disney World, 1 annual pass is valid for up to 4 adults.
The other thing Paul wanted to do for his birthday week, was an airboat ride. We had never done one and just had to do it! There are 3 authorized airboat tour companies that operate inside the Everglades. All 3 we pass on Tamiami Trail on the way to Shark Valley, and all seemed very similar and each had a restaurant. We had decided we would pick one the next day and grab lunch after we leave Shark Valley. After lunch, we could do the airboat tour.
Shark Valley Visitor Center
We arrive at the entrance to Shark Valley a little after 10:30. Luckily there was no line to get in. We flashed our national park pass and were waived in. There was ample parking this day, and we parked near the visitor center and the trams. We figured out where we needed to be for the tram and had about 15 minutes to spare. We all hit the restrooms before the 2-hour tram ride and went in the visitor center and store to look around.
We already packed water and some snacks for the ride, but of course our daughter had to get a snack. We then walked outside to a seated and covered waiting area until they called us for the tram. Sure enough about 5 minutes before 11:00 we started to board. There was plenty of room for us though the tram seemed fairly full. It was good we booked early we thought. We have sunscreen and bug spray on and are ready for the ride.
East Tram Trail at Everglades Shark Valley
The tram starts off slow through sawgrass prairies. Besides the driver, we have a guide who points out things of interest along the way. Even though it is June, it has been dry in Florida so far so you have to look for gators more than usual. The driver and guide do a good job of spotting them though.
The driver stops suddenly and the guide points out a gator and we do this along the way. We spotted so many gators at Big Cypress National Preserve the day before, we weren’t used to looking for them. But, they also talk about some interesting facts about the Everglades as well as point out a few gator nests. You really feel in the middle of it all from the comfort of the tram. We go along the trail for almost 50 minutes before we stop about half way at the observation tower.
Shark Valley Observation Tower
The 45-foot high observation tower gives you an opportunity to see for up to 20 miles in all directions. There is a nice short paved walkway to the tower which has a ramp that slowly winds to the top. There are also restrooms at the base. We climb to the observation platform where you can get a 360 degree view all around. Looking forward, you look above the tree canopy where you see birds nesting in the tree tops. In between the tower and the trees is a body of water that resembles a creek. We spot a nice size gator in the water.
This was a nice place to just stop and look and listen to what’s around you. And it was nice to get off the tram half way and walk around for a little bit. The walk to, up, down and back was pleasant for all. Almost back to the tram, there was a short trail named the Borrow Pit Trail.
Everyone goes back to the tram except Paul. He ducked into this narrow trail that skirts the edge of a borrow pit created during oil exploration. He passes a pool of water with a great blue heron sitting still as if her hiding place was found. There were a couple of others on the trail and they started to turn around and so did Paul. We all get back on the tram, but a person is missing. One guy is still not back so we wait for him for about 10 minutes. The guide didn’t want to leave him because it is 7-8 miles back. He finally showed up and we started heading back.
West Tram Trail at Everglades Shark Valley
The tram returns back on the West Tram Trail. Unlike the East trail, this one skirts what looks like a canal on the left along the road. When the road was made, the limestone was dug out creating these holes that the water then filled. So, as the tram is going there is water alongside and better opportunity to spot wildlife.
The guides point out plenty of birds including snowy egrets and great blue herons as well as more gators. There are some pretty flowers the guides talk about as well. We spot a Florida softshell turtle on the side of the road near the water’s edge. There is a little breeze and the tram ride back is relaxing back to the visitor center parking lot. The tram ride was a great tour and ride for all of us.
Bobcat Boardwalk Trail
When we get back everyone wants to get back to the car for some more water and AC, except Paul of course. It was pretty humid as you would imagine but Paul still wanted to explore. So he did a solo walk down the Bobcat Boardwalk Trail.
We all like boardwalks and this was a nice trail through a sawgrass slough and tropical hardwood forest. There wasn’t really any wildlife sightings until the end. It comes out at the end of the West Tram Trail a little ways from the parking lot. Again, this is where the canal of water is located off the road and is abundant with wildlife. Paul spots an anhinga eating a fish on the shore before leisurely walking back to the car. With our snacks gone it is now time to get lunch.
Lunch at Everglades Safari Park
We passed each of the 3 authorized airboat companies on the way. Each airboat company also has a restaurant. And they are 5 minutes between the 3 of them. We pick Coopertown hailed as the original airboat tour. Their restaurant also looked the best online. However, when we parked the lot was full. We found a spot and walked into the restaurant to find out they are closed. Apparently they were closed for a production company. They will rent out the place to film there from time to time. So we headed back towards Shark Valley.
We then decided to stop at Everglades Safari Park which also had a restaurant. By this time we are starving so we go inside and order. The food is overpriced of course and wasn’t very good. We really wished we would have packed a picnic lunch instead. With so few food options, you have to plan better.
Airboat Ride in the Everglades
After lunch, we go to buy tickets, but by this time afternoon rain clouds are coming in. And Everglades Safari Park says they’re not taking any more boats out! We’re upset we ate at their restaurant first, but that leaves us with only 1 option – Gator Park. Luckily, they’re still selling tickets and their boats are still going out for now, but we have to hurry. We wanted to get on before the rain, so we bought the tickets for the next ride at 4:00.
As we are boarding the large airboat, a 6-foot gator floats from the bridge behind us right past us. We put in our hearing protection provided with our tickets and the boat captain/guide gives us the safety briefing. Shortly, we are on our way in the packed airboat starting slow as we leave. Rain is sprinkling as we pick up speed. The fan howls down the waterway for a few minutes until we stop.
The guide stops the boat and talks more about the Everglades. We are far enough away from the dock we can’t see it and are out in the open. All we see around us is a river of grass – the “Everglades”. The tram ride was great, but being on the water out here gives you a different perspective. It is a beautiful view and we take it in for a little while before we head back. On the way back the guide points out a snowy egret and some pond apples. While alligators and other wildlife may eat pond apples, our guide says they taste like rotting melons. Now we know! The ride lasts about 30 minutes.
Gator Show
With our tickets came a show as well. After we get back, we are escorted to a little outdoor theatre. The show is reminiscent of shows at the old Silver Springs. A handler comes out holding a baby gator and puts on a little educational show. The handler is pretty funny and you get to see alligators and a crocodile up-close and out of the water. He has probably done this show a dozen times this day and this was his last. It was a short show about 15 minutes but a good ending for the day.
Summary of Everglades Shark Valley Tram Tour & Airboat Ride
The Everglades National Park Shark Valley area was a fun stop along the Tamiami Trail. We were glad we scheduled the tram tour and on a separate day from other planned activities. Though it was hot and humid there was plenty of shade and fresh breezes that kept the bugs away. It was well worth the money. If we come back during the winter months, the real wet season, it could be a completely different experience. Seeing the tram loop, I can see the appeal of renting bikes to take your own time. We could have spent more time along the trail and especially at the tower.
One thing we learned, is we should have planned to pack our lunch. We could also have bought airboat tickets online ahead of time. But you never know with the weather in Florida on a summer afternoon. I think most of us thought we can say we did an airboat ride and not want to do it again. It was a bucket list thing for us and we checked it off. However, the 2 days we had on the Tamiami Trail in and around the Everglades were fun for all. We really got to experience real Florida and enjoyed the Everglades Shark Valley Tram Tour & Airboat! To see all of our stops along the Tamiami Trail, check out our separate post: Tamiami Trail – A Scenic Drive into Real Florida.