Everglades National Park guide · 1 min read
Ten Thousand Islands from the Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center sits in Everglades City, the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands.
From Interstate 75, take exit 80 onto State Road 29 and drive south about 20 miles. Once in town, follow the park signs. The center is on the right side of the road, five miles south of Tamiami Trail. The original building was destroyed by Hurricane Irma, and a new visitor center complex is planned for the site.
The Ten Thousand Islands are a tangle of mangrove islands and channels that stretches south toward Flamingo and Florida Bay. This region can only be reached by boat, and finding your way through it takes care. Shallows are common, so watch the depth and carry the charts numbered 11430 and 11432. Turner River, Halfway Creek, Sandfly Island, and the East River are good places to explore.
The Ten Thousand Islands boat tour lasts two hours and is led by trained guides on a 49-passenger pontoon boat, with park rangers joining now and then. It launches about two miles north of the visitor center and passes the islands' natural and cultural resources, along with historical landmarks on the Barron River. On Saturdays and Sundays, a ranger leads the tour, and guests watch for marine wildlife and birds along the way.
The islands hold an abundance of life, and their shallows serve as nursery grounds for many marine species. Bird watching pairs naturally with a slow trip through the channels. Visitors who want to explore on their own can rent canoes, kayaks, and skiffs at Everglades Guest Services in Flamingo, at the southern end of the park. Local guides, outfitters, and shuttle services are also available outside the park.
