Anyone been to the Everglades (esp. Shark Valley)? About This Page:

[Disneybine]

We're planning on spending a day in the Everglades next April. Since we'll be driving down there from Vero Beach, we're thinking about doing the tram tour from the Shark Valley visitor center (as it's right at the north end of the Everglades). Has anyone been there or knows if it's worth it? I heard the airboat tours down in Flamingo were awesome but it's just such a long drive...

Any and all suggestions etc. are greatly appreciated, thank you!!!

[Sue M.]

Sorry, i just saw your post, yes we've been to Shark Valley, it's great. You can take the tram, which has a guide on it. Very informative, lots of stops to get out & look around. It goes on a road that used to go to an oil well, back when they allowed that. Oil well long gone. Or you can rent bikes & do your own thing, but you'd be missing all the info. At the end of the road there are trails you can walk & a observation tower. Then they drive you back. On the trail we encountered a gator (in the water). Along the road driving to Shark Valley there are air boat rides too. It's totally worth it.
PM me if you want any more info!

[Disneybine]

Thanks for your post, Sue! Did you feel like you got an authentic impression of what the Everglades are like doing the tram tour in Shark Valley? Or would we need to go on an airboat ride or go further down into the Everglades for that?

[alisonhinsley]

I've never been to Shark's Valley but highly recommand an airboat ride if you have the time. It's an experience that's sooo Everglade

[Sue M.]

Originally Posted by Disneybine

Thanks for your post, Sue! Did you feel like you got an authentic impression of what the Everglades are like doing the tram tour in Shark Valley? Or would we need to go on an airboat ride or go further down into the Everglades for that?

The tram was great, so are the air boats. Both give you an authentic impression of the Everglades from different perspectives. There are airboat places on the same road to Shark Valley, we passed 2 on the way, so you could do both. I don't think you have to go further south. What time of year are you going?

[Disneybine]

We'll be in Florida next April and want to drive down to the Everglades one day while we're staying at Disney Vero.

[Sue M.]

Then for sure you'll want to go to the Northern part, Shark Valley. Going down to Homestead area will add an extra hour or more to the drive. I went to Shark Valley with my dd's & mom. At first the dd's wanted to do the bike tour, but I explained grandma couldn't do that so they did the tram with us. After a few minutes my dd said to me "your right, this is better because we are hearing about all the stuff we're seeing."
And you can go tto the airboats as well, there were 2 we passed before you get to Shark Valley. One rather large place on the left side of the road, and a smaller one on the right can't remember if it was before or after the big place.
Enjoy your trip!
Sue

[Disneybine]

Yeah, the drive is the main reason why we're considering Shark Valley. I'm pretty sure we'll do the tram tour there but I'm not sold on those airboats. It sounds exciting and DH would love to go... Are they safe, though? I'm a big chicken, I know, but when I look at those boats they look like a gator could eat 'em up in a heartbeat

[Sue M.]

The larger Airboat company (on the left side of the road, same side as Shark Valley) has the larger Air Boats. I can't remember the name, but I'm sure they are safe. We went on an air boat at a different location, & was allot of fun. The big boats can hold 15 or 20 people. Sit in the middle if that will make you feel more secure.
You'll enjoy Shark Valley. It's an open air vehicle (0pen sides, with a roof) , . Make sure you bring a poncho, with Florida weather, you never know. We had them & left them in the car, cause it was sunny, clear skies & all. But when we got to the turn-around on the tram, all of a sudden a storm blew in, & we got soaked!! That's Florida for you!

[Sue M.]

By the way, on the other Everglades thread by Trixielamb there is an excellent link to The Everglades National Park, where you can find Shark Valley, lots of info & pics of the tram tour.

[BeckiO5]

Sorry I just saw your post. I actually have been to the Everglades, but not leaving from Orlando (we entered the part near Ft. Lauderdale) for a school field trip years ago. You will see so many animals on the airboats in the water, we even saw some Alligators, maybe a Crocodile, we defanitely got to see them wrestle an alligator on land and meet some of the Seminole Indians that reside there. It was such a wonderful experience. Hope you enjoy it.