We went on an airboat ride and learned about the ecosystem and saw alligators and birds and it was awesome. We were each very kindly provided earplugs for the ride and they were very careful to collect them afterwards and to collect the packages so they wouldn't wind up being littered in the park.

Afterwards we saw a couple of alligators being handled by the wrangler guy, and we had the chance to hold a baby alligator and take personal photographs for $3 each. They also had 3d photos you could buy of yourself and you were inserted in a photograph with alligators and other things all around, it was $10 but they said it was usually $20.

The park was clean and we learned a lot and it seemed to be well put together, it just that the ladies room was kind of awful.

The bathroom was just gross. I went in there and there was an older guy in there I guess cleaning or something, but he kept knocking toilet paper on the floor and it was rolling around. He knew I was waiting so maybe he left early but I went in there after him and it reeked of urine and it was just unsanitary and kind of nasty. They have a little counter fast food cafe thing and the food looked ok, the airboat people were all very nice. There was a bathroom in there but it was only a one seater and there was a line. But it was clean.

If your cruise ship offers an excursion to the Everglades before your flight to the airport, you might end up here instead of the official National Park, and while I haven't been to the National Park, I can tell you that this had the experience I was hoping for. If you don't have much time, and you want to sail across what looks like a sea of grass instead of water and encounter a few alligators, egrets, and anhingas, this is a great idea. My understand is that while this isn't the National Park, you really are in the Everglades. So the guides will mention to be on the lookout for gators or snakes, but the danger is so slight that you're at more risk from the corny jokes, (How much do you think an alligator taxi costs? An arm and a leg!) Our guide, Captain Ray, knew a lot about the animals and his commitment to protecting nature was clear. Their small cafe was fine (alligator bites actually do taste like chicken) if overpriced and their alligator show didn't offer much beyond more corny jokes, but it was free and included the opportunity to hold a "baby" gator. "Snappy" must not have been that young since he was probably 2 and a half feet long. The short gator walk after the show offered some great photo opportunities (you're safe - the gators were on the ofter side of a fence), and at least that day, (Sunday in mid-December) neither crowds nor bugs were a problem.

While this would make a great outing on your own if you have three hours or so before heading to your flight, the tour company that took us was Miami Shore Excursions, Ltd (hired by Carnival) and our guide, Sandy, was fun (more terrible jokes comparing her ex-husband's disposition to an alligator) but she needs to learn about birds to make this more of what you'd expect from a nature tour. Also, her bus company needs to get the bathroom bus smelling a bit better. Still, Sandy was warm, friendly, and more than organized enough to get everyone to the airport on time. She also had some great stories about both Miami and the Everglades - an excellent time, overall.

We toured the Everglades with a motorboat, which is a must. ( take care of your hats not to blown away and bring ear plugs for the noise)/. The scenery is uniquely wild. in the end of the tour we watched a gator show and one has the opportunity to hold a bay gatow in his hands!

The airboat trip is something tou have to make if you are in florida, very closed from miami, 45minutes drive, the captain was very helpfull, and funny with jokes, we took a prvate one expensive but you are not on a charter, and the tour is bit more longer.
Spectacle was good