FLORIDA: Wild Everglades Photography Tour
TOUR FOCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $5,499 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Fort Myers, FL (RSW)
GROUP SIZE
4-6 Participants
AVAILABILITY
2025: 1 Space Available
PRIVATE TOUR OPTION
This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.
TESTIMONIALS
Highlights of FLORIDA: Wild Everglades Photography Tour
Description of FLORIDA: Wild Everglades Photography Tour
Take a trip into the mysterious swamps of Everglades National Park. This is a nature lover’s dream. Sawgrass flats, Cypress swamps, freshwater springs, mangrove islands, and coastal estuaries make the area a mecca for birders, wildlife photographers, and nature lovers.
In one minute, you’ll watch pelicans coasting across the blue waters of the 10,000-island region of the Everglades. The next minute, a dolphin springs from the water just feet away from the boat you’re riding, and an osprey dives in to catch a fish for its next meal.
The wildlife encounters here are incredible. The landscapes of the Everglades and South Florida are varied yet subtle. But where else can you find such an abundance and diversity of wildlife in America?
Length of Tour
7-Days/6-Nights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive early in Fort Myers, Florida, and head north.
Day 2: Photograph manatees from a private boat and then drive South to Sanibel Island for an evening of shooting.
Day 3 – Photograph on Sanibel Island again before heading to the Marco Island area and a photography excursion nearby.
Day 4 – Photograph shorebirds and wading birds in nearby wetlands before heading out again in the evening.
Day 5: Take a morning boat tour around the wetlands. In the afternoon, we’ll head over to the Flamingo area of the Everglades National Park, where we’ll photograph the famous Anhinga Trail.
Day 6: Tour the Everglades interior and look for raptors, reptiles, and wading birds.
Day 7 – Half-day shoot and depart for home.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Fort Myers and meet up to head north towards Tampa.
We will have dinner this evening and get to know each other better. We will also discuss the coming week, photography strategies, logistics, and expectations.
Day 2: We’ll have the opportunity to take a private boat into the clearwater springs of Florida and photograph the endangered manatee. After a morning shoot, we’ll drive and head to Sanibel Island to explore the world-famous Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Day 3: After another morning at the Ding Darling refuge, we’ll head towards Marco Island, check into our hotel, and head out for an evening boat ride in the mangrove islands of the area.
Day 4: We’ll again be out at sunrise to photograph the birds and wildlife coming awake at a nearby hotspot. In the middle of the day, we’ll be looking for burrowing owls and tortoises before heading out in the evening to photograph shorebirds.
Day 5: On this day, we’ll take a morning boat ride in search of birds and wildlife before heading to the eastern side of the Everglades National Park. Here, we’ll explore the Anhinga Trail. The trail is on the National Register of Historic Places and is full of wildlife.
Day 6: We’re on the Anhinga Trail again, and the wildlife will be plentiful. After a late morning post-processing session, we’ll head back into the park to see the only area in the United States where you’ll find crocodiles.
Day 7: Even though it’s the last day, we’ll still be hunting for wildlife as we head back to Fort Myers for our flights home.
*The following opportunities will be arranged day-to-day as weather and wildlife conditions dictate.*
Cost
Cost is $5,499 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Fort Myers, FL (Airport code RSW.
This trip ends in same as arrival city (Airport code ).
Single Supplement
If a single hotel room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $1,545 will be assessed.
NOTE: For boat-based tours, see pricing options for single cabins. Single cabin cost includes the single hotel cost above.
Minimum Number
If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.
Deposit Requirements
A $1,000 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.
How to Book
In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.
Final Payment
For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.
For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.
NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.
This trip includes standard hotels.
Activity Level Rating: 1 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
Hiking will be on level ground.
Mirrorless or DSLR camera
Wide angle lens (16-35mm)
Medium Telephoto (70-200mm)
Telephoto lens for wildlife (400mm+)
Extension tubes or macro lens
Tripod
Extra memory cards
Extra batteries
Camera backpack
Polarizing filter
ND Filter
Laptop for post-processing lessons and image work
The weather is relatively mild in South Florida this time of year. Mornings can be cool, so a light jacket and long pants are recommended.
Rain gear is advised as well.
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
