What level of kayaking experience do I need?

Basic paddling skills and comfort navigating coastal mangrove waterways are required, but beginners with fitness and instruction can participate.

Are meals provided during the trip?

Meals are generally not included; participants should bring their own food suitable for backcountry camping.

Is the trip family-friendly?

The journey is best suited for adults and teens with physical endurance; young children may find the length and conditions challenging.

How do shuttle logistics work?

Everglades Adventures coordinates shuttle pickups and vehicle transfers over a 130-mile route between Everglades City and Flamingo for convenience.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

You may encounter crocodiles, flamingos, dolphins, sharks, rays, and many migratory bird species along the route.

Do I need to bring camping gear?

Yes, participants must bring lightweight camping gear, although basic gear recommendations are provided upon booking.

Paddle the 6-Day Wilderness Waterway with Everglades Adventures | Kayak | Water Activities

Spanning over 100 miles of remote Everglades terrain, the Wilderness Waterway offers one of the most immersive multi-day kayak trips in the United States. The 6-Day Wilderness Waterway Adventure, led by Everglades Adventures Kayak & Eco Tours based out of Everglades City, Florida, pulls paddlers deep into a vast network of winding mangroves, tidal creeks, and uninhabited islands. This route crosses the Ten Thousand Islands region within Everglades National Park—a protected wetland renowned for its ecological diversity and historic significance. Each day’s paddle delivers encounters with native wildlife such as American crocodiles basking near the shore, flamboyant flocks of flamingos, and pods of dolphins slicing through the water. Silent mornings under towering mangroves reveal schools of fish darting through clear water, while twilight opens eyes to distant stars far from city lights. Campgrounds strategically dotted along the waterway invite travelers to set up under skies often richer than any urban nightscape. The historical layer of this journey adds a compelling dimension: the route once served as a home and hunting ground for Native American groups thousands of years ago. Little traces of their presence remain, but the landscape feels steeped in quiet stories of survival and adaptation. Everglades Adventures facilitates this trip with kayak and canoe rentals, shuttle logistics between Everglades City and Flamingo, and expert knowledge that helps paddlers safely navigate this complex labyrinth of water and wilderness. This trip stands apart because it combines technical paddling, wilderness camping, and a deep connection to a disappearing ecosystem that is both fragile and vital. For those seeking a true backcountry experience with a tangible tie to Florida’s natural and cultural heritage, Everglades Adventures’ Wilderness Waterway journey is a rare offering in the world of kayak touring.

Difficulty

challenging.

Duration

6 days.

Fitness level

Participants should have moderate to high endurance with comfort in long-distance paddling and overnight camping.

Wildlife

American crocodile
Roseate flamingo

History

The Wilderness Waterway follows ancient paths used by Native American communities for thousands of years, reflecting a deep cultural connection to the Everglades.

Conservation

Everglades National Park limits development and encourages responsible paddling to protect its delicate mangrove ecosystems and endangered species.

Everglades Adventures Kayak & Eco Tours operates from Everglades City, Florida, offering guided paddling trips, rentals, and combo excursions in the Ten Thousand Islands and Greater Everglades. The company runs kayak and canoe rentals (durations from one to ten days), guided kayak tours, kayak camping combos, and multi-day Wilderness Waterway Adventures. Several combo options pair paddling with airboat or pontoon tours and visits to the nearby Animal Sanctuary and Everglades City Boardwalk. Guided experiences include wildlife viewing opportunities such as dolphins, sea turtles, alligators, ospreys, and bald eagles. Rental seasons for many canoe and kayak bookings run November through April. Guided day tours and combo packages provide equipment, instruction, and interpretive information about mangrove tunnels, cypress ponds, and coastal estuaries. Camping combo trips include meals and camping gear for overnight paddling itineraries through the 10,000 Islands. Everglades Adventures emphasizes safety, local knowledge, and responsible eco-tourism within a federally significant ecosystem. The business operates from a base in Everglades City, a gateway community for Ten Thousand Islands exploration, and provides access to the Everglades City Boardwalk for many bookings. Prospective visitors can choose short rentals, single-day tours, or extended wilderness itineraries to match skill level and timeframe. Reservations and specific trip details are available through the company’s booking channels. Everglades Adventures Kayak & Eco Tours serves paddlers, nature lovers, and travelers seeking hands-on access to South Florida’s coastal wilderness. Trip lengths and difficulty levels vary to accommodate beginners through advanced paddlers, with gear and safety briefings provided for all participants regularly.

Base locationEverglades City, Florida

Tours offered23+

Specialtycamping-overnight

StewardshipLeave No Trace