He said the best time to visit is the early morning. Several large animal species also inhabit the Everglades, many of which are threatened or endangered. White-tailed deer, black bears and manatee call the area home. Visitors often can see alligators, the largest reptiles in North America, silently floating in canals like logs with eyes. Exremely rare crocodiles and panthers lurk in the recesses of the swamp.
Private guides provide tours of the Everglades by boat, airboat, or personal water craft.
Guides are based in Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades City, and many operate on the Tamiami Trail. Everglades City is home to the Southwest Florida entrance to Everglades National Park, the third largest national park in the country. Visitors can rent boats or kayaks and cruise either inland waterways to platform campsites or around the Ten Thousand Islands and camp on designated beaches. The rangers station provides maps of the park and its campsites. Everglades City is located at U.S. 41 and C.R. 29, east of Naples.