Frequently Asked Questions

1. From Interstate 75 take EXIT 80 south on SR29.
2. Follow 29 thru Everglades City.
3. 3 miles south of Everglades City on SR29 is Chokoloskee Island. On Chokoloskee, turn right at the 4 way stop sign onto Chokoloskee Drive, go one block to Mamie Street, turn left and follow the road to the end.
4. You are now at the southernmost point of the west coast of Florida – the historic Smallwood Store.

In our winter months, jackets are recommended as it gets pretty chilly on the water.

Clothing should be appropriate for the season and the day’s weather. A light jacket is needed on most trips. Bring sun protection, hats, sun block, etc. Protective footwear, that you do not mind getting wet, is recommended.

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Life jackets are only required for children 6 and under. We have six adult life jackets or more in each vessel at all times and we also have infant, toddler, and child life jackets available for all kids 6 and under.

After checking in the Smallwood Store (the big red wooden building on stilts) you can make your way to the beach to the left of the store. If you’re facing the store it is on the left.

Every trip is different, our business is nature so some days we are fortunate to see a lot of wildlife, some days less. That is up to Mother Nature. All our guides are experienced outdoors men and women from the area and have lived here their entire lives. We will have some knowledge on where the wildlife is on most days, but we can view only what is there. Most days you can see ospreys, various breeds of herons and egrets, pelicans, numerous species of shorebirds and raccoons. Our guests also commonly see dolphins, owls, hawks, roseate spoonbills, bald eagles, white pelicans, sea turtles poking their heads up to get a breath of air, kites and black vultures. We really are never sure exactly what we will see in this vast wilderness until we are there. It is ever changing.

The Everglades National Park has a strict no shelling policy therefore no one is allowed to take shells.

For the most part no, but on occasion there will be light spray from the boat over us. Also, we are in Florida so rainstorms do tend to build up here and there. Especially in the evenings of the summer months. We do have raincoats available under the console that the captain can provide to you.

Please bring whatever you would like to eat or drink. Especially for the longer trips. Maybe water or whatever other drinks you would like. But please make sure not to litter. All containers need to be taken with you or disposed of in the bucket on the back of the boat.

Clothing should be appropriate for the season and the day’s weather. The boat is open and we travel rapidly. A light jacket is needed on most trips. Bring sun protection, hats, sun block, etc. When we stop at the beaches or shell mounds you may want to walk in the water or you may wish to take a bit of time on the beach or island by yourself. Protective footwear, that you do not mind getting wet, is recommended. Bring a camera (in a plastic zip lock bag if it is not waterproof). Binoculars are also a good idea.

In the summertime, mosquito spray is also recommended, but if you forgot to bring some, no worries, we have some available for purchase in the gift shop in the museum.