Everglades Area Tours.com

What Everglades Area Tours.com does

Everglades Area Tours.com is a privately held, family-owned eco-tour operator founded in 1997 and headquartered in Chokoloskee Island, Florida, with a sister location on Marco Island. The company offers 20+ guided eco-adventures — including kayak, canoe, boat, hiking, fishing, birding, photography, sunset, and multi-day overnight camping expeditions — across four protected ecosystems: Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and Rookery Bay National Estuary. It is the only tour provider operating in all four ecosystems and the only Florida SEE Certified Silver operator running directly inside Everglades National Park. All tours are led by full-time, formally trained Florida Master Naturalists and limited to a maximum of six guests per outing, with no airboats used.

The underlying operations rely on a fleet of 27' Carolina Skiff boats, Redfish 12 kayaks by Heritage Kayaks, and single/tandem kayaks and canoes, combined with a boat-assisted kayak methodology that enables access to remote island beaches and backcountry areas. The business generates revenue primarily through per-person tour pricing ranging from $79.95 to $399.95, plus guided fishing charters ($450–$1,195), kayak/canoe/camping shuttle services ($250–$425 per trip), equipment rentals, gift certificates, and multi-day experiential courses for educational and corporate groups. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the FareHarbor online booking platform embedded on the company website, supplemented by phone, email, and walk-in reservations at the two physical locations; there is no third-party reseller network. Customer segments comprise families and individual travelers, K-12 and university educational groups, corporate and organizational groups, photography and birding enthusiasts, and anglers. Marketing is driven primarily by earned media (PBS, National Geographic Travel Channel, Southern Living, USA Today, Outside Magazine, Lonely Planet) and customer review performance (5.0 across 447+ Google reviews, TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence), with no paid digital advertising infrastructure disclosed.

Name

Everglades Area Tours.com

Legal name

Everglades Area Tours

Website

https://evergladesareatours.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Everglades Area Tours.com is a family-owned eco-tour operator offering 20+ guided kayak, canoe, boat, hiking, fishing, and birding tours across four protected Florida ecosystems. It serves families, individual travelers, and educational groups with intimate six-guest naturalist-led experiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eco-Tourism Guided Nature Tours

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

River & Wetland Ecotours (Canoe/Kayak, Mangrove/Swamp Tours) (THAAAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA), Wildlife Viewing & Birdwatching Tours (THAAAEAB), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF), Wetlands, Rivers & Freshwater Nature Tours (THAJAIAH), Wildlife & Nature Interpretation Guides (Birding, Photography, Naturalist) (THAAALAE)

Keywords

• Guided eco tours
• Everglades kayaking
• Wildlife boat tours
• Nature photography tours
• Guided fishing charters

Headquarters

HQ city

Chokoloskee Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Guided Eco-Tours: Per-person pricing for kayak, canoe, boat, hiking, fishing, and birding tours ranging from $79.95 to $399.95 per person depending on tour type, duration, and group size.
2. Shuttle Service: Kayak, canoe and camping gear shuttle service to remote island destinations in Everglades National Park. Per-trip pricing from $250 to $425 depending on destination distance.
3. Equipment Rentals: Recreational kayak and canoe rentals for independent paddlers plus full camping gear outfitting for multi-day trips.
4. Gift Certificates: Non-expiring gift certificates and e-cards for guided eco-tours available for purchase online through FareHarbor booking system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Everglades Area Tours.com sells guided eco-tourism experiences in Everglades National Park and surrounding protected areas, including kayak, canoe, boat, hiking, fishing, birding/photography, sunset, and multi-day overnight camping tours led by Florida Master Naturalists. The company is the only tour provider operating across all four protected ecosystems in the region (Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Rookery Bay National Estuary) and the only Florida SEE Certified Silver operator working directly inside Everglades National Park.

Product overview

Everglades Area Tours operates a portfolio of 20+ guided eco-tour experiences centered around Everglades National Park and surrounding protected areas. The core offering consists of paddling tours (kayak and canoe), boat tours, hiking tours, fishing charters, and specialized photography/birding safaris. The portfolio includes flagship combined-format tours like the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour, specialized ecosystem tours (Mangrove Tunnel, Alligator & Orchids, Turner River), extended expeditions (Grand Heritage, Overnight Sea Kayak Camping), and add-on services including equipment rentals, shuttle transport, adventure courses, and gift certificates. All tours are guided by Florida Master Naturalists and limited to six guests. The company integrates with FareHarbor for online booking and directs customers to YourPassNow for required park entry passes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour Flagship combined boat, kayak, and walking eco-tour that transports guests deep into Everglades National Park where they paddle alongside wildlife and explore remote island beaches. No previous paddling experience required. $199/adult, $129/child, ~3.5 hours, maximum 6 guests.
• Mangrove Tunnel Kayak & Canoe Eco Tour Paddling experience through cathedral-like mangrove tunnels of Everglades National Park, guided by Florida Master Naturalists with wildlife encounters including alligators, birds, and manatees. $119.95/adult, $89.95/child, ~3 hours.
• Alligator & Orchids Kayak Eco Tour Freshwater Everglades kayak tour through marshes and cypress swamps encountering alligators, rare ghost orchids, and diverse bird life. $119.95/adult, $89.95/child, ~3 hours.
• Turner River Kayak & Canoe Tour Spectacular paddle up the Turner River through both Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, featuring freshwater and mangrove habitats with diverse wildlife.
• Sea Kayak Day Tours Full-day guided sea kayaking experiences through the 10,000 Islands and coastal Everglades wilderness for more experienced paddlers, led by Florida Master Naturalists.
• Dolphin, Birding & Photography Expedition Boat and walking eco-tour through Everglades National Park and 10,000 Islands searching for dolphins, manatees, roseate spoonbills, sea turtles, eagles, and ospreys. $199.95/adult, $129.95/child, 3.5 hours.
• Grand Heritage & Birding Tour Most extensive Everglades National Park tour combining boating, kayaking, and walking eco-experiences over approximately seven hours, culminating with sunset over the water. $299.95/adult, $159.95/child (11 and under).
• Sunset Kayak & Boat Eco-Tours Evening tours departing 1.5 hours before sunset to experience breathtaking sunsets, spectacular bird roosts, and wildlife of the Everglades and 10,000 Islands. $79.95 per guest.
• Hiking Eco-Tours Guided walking eco-tours through Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and Big Cypress featuring dry walks on historic tram roads or wet swamp walks through cypress habitat. $109.95/adult, $79.95/child, ~3 hours.
• Overnight Sea Kayak Camping Trips Multi-day paddle camping expeditions through wilderness waterways of Everglades National Park and 10,000 Islands, from 2-day to 7-day expeditions with all gear, kayaks, and meals provided.
• Private Birding & Photography Safari Private tours tailored for photographers and serious birders, available by power boat, kayak, or walking, led by award-winning outdoor photography guide with 25 years teaching and 17 years nature photography experience. From $399.95, ~2.5 hours.
• Guided Fishing Trips Guided fishing charters with Captain Don McCumber targeting tarpon, redfish, and snook in the 10,000 Islands, Everglades National Park, and Big Cypress. Pricing tiers from $450 (4-hour) to $1,195 (full-day, 4 anglers).
• Kayak Fishing Trips Backcountry kayak fishing trips in Everglades National Park offering mother ship trips with transport vessel Yak Attack and shore-launched options using Redfish 12 kayaks by Heritage Kayaks. ~6-8 hours; $300-$675.
• Experiential & Adventure Courses Multi-day educational programs for students and organizations including educational field programs, wilderness kayak courses, leadership and team building, and photography and nature study courses.
• Kayak & Equipment Rentals Recreational kayak and canoe rentals for independent paddlers, plus outfitting services for multi-day camping trips including all necessary gear.
• Shuttle Service Kayak, canoe and camping gear shuttle service to remote island destinations in Everglades National Park and 10,000 Islands for independent paddlers. Per-trip pricing from $250 to $425 depending on destination.
• Gift Certificates & Gift E-Cards Non-expiring gift certificates and e-cards for any of the 20+ guided tours, purchasable online through the booking system or by phone.
• Tour Packages Pre-configured combinations of multiple tour experiences for single-day or multi-day adventures, including same-day combinations and 2-3 day package itineraries.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism (Florida SEE)coreOthersFlorida SEE Certified Silver member. One of only 8 firms in Florida certified by this organization for ethical ecotourism practices. The only tour operator certified directly inside Everglades National Park.
• Florida Guides AssociationminorOthersProfessional membership organization for guides in Florida.
• Florida Professional Paddlers AssociationminorOthersProfessional association for paddling guides and instructors.
• Audubon SocietyminorOthersActive membership in the Audubon Society supporting bird conservation and education.
• University of Florida IFAS Master Naturalist ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll guides are trained through the University of Florida IFAS Master Naturalist Program. This formal training program ensures consistent naturalist education standards.
• Marco Island Boat TourscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister location on Marco Island providing additional boat tour experiences including Sunset Tours and Shelling Boat Tours. Same ownership and branding. Allows the company to serve customers on both Marco Island and Everglades City sides of the region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coopertown Everglades Airboat Tours: Long-established (since 1945) Everglades tour operator on the eastern edge of the Everglades, offering airboat rides, alligator exhibits, and guided tours. Competes for the same family and tourist segment but uses loud airboats rather than kayak/boat naturalist experiences and operates outside Everglades National Park proper.
• Everglades Safari Park: Everglades-area tour operator on US-41 offering airboat rides, jungle cruises, and alligator exhibits. Targets the same family and drive-by tourist demographic but operates outside the national park and uses airboats rather than kayak naturalist tours.
• Captain Mitch's Everglades & Swamp Buggy Tours: Everglades City-based airboat and swamp buggy tour operator offering Everglades National Park excursions. Closest direct geographic peer to Everglades Area Tours, competing for the same Everglades City tourist but using airboat/safari vehicle format rather than kayak and boat-naturalist format.
• Everglades National Park Boat Tours (Sandfly Island): Small Everglades-area boat tour operator offering Ten Thousand Islands and coastal Florida wildlife viewing. Direct competitor for Everglades boat tour customers, focused on boat-only experiences without the kayak and naturalist guide differentiation.
• Shurr Adventures Everglades: Everglades-based airboat and swamp buggy tour operator offering narrated Everglades National Park and Big Cypress experiences. Competes directly for Everglades City and Naples tourist traffic with motorized tour format.

Emerging players

• Big Cypress Adventures: Swamp buggy and guided airboat/safari tour operator in Big Cypress National Preserve. Overlaps with Everglades Area Tours on Big Cypress ecosystem access but focuses on motorized swamp buggy tours rather than paddling and small-boat experiences.

Regional players

• Florida Paddling Trails / Canoe Outpost: Long-standing Florida paddling outfitter offering kayak and canoe rentals plus guided tours on rivers and coastal waterways. Comparable kayak/canoe guided-tour and equipment rental business model, but serves inland river paddling destinations rather than Everglades ecosystems.
• Calusa Spirit Kayak Adventures: Paddling tour operator in Southwest Florida (Pine Island Sound and Matlacha area) offering kayak eco-tours, rentals, and lessons. Comparable kayak-eco-tour business model in the broader Southwest Florida market, though focused on coastal estuaries rather than the inland Everglades ecosystems.

Broad incumbents

• Wild Florida Airboat Tours & Gator Park: Larger Central Florida-based Everglades-region operator offering airboat tours, wildlife park admission, and gator encounters. Directly competes for the same inbound Everglades tourist but uses airboats (banned in Everglades NP) and a wider attraction-park business model rather than intimate naturalist-led kayak/boat tours.

Others

• Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: Nonprofit learning center within Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve that runs guided boat and kayak eco-tours. Overlaps on the Rookery Bay ecosystem access (one of the four protected areas Everglades Area Tours operates in) and is a quasi-competitor for the educational and naturalist-guided segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/evergladeskayak
• Facebookfacebook.com/evergladesareatours
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/everglades-area-tours.com

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Everglades Area Tours.com