We loved the boardwalk and the barking alligators. It was a lovely mostly shaded walk along the boardwalk. Guides and naturalists had scopes set up along the way to point up interesting birds and they were very interested in sharing their knowledge of the different species. No panthers on this trip but we did find some remarkable videos of the panthers on the boardwalk on youtube!
Saw a wide variety of wildlife on March 6th. Very nice facility! Nothing negative to say. Owls, Alligators, Hawks, many waterfowl type birds as well.
Don't be in a hurry. Keep your eyes and ears open. The very solid board walk will take you through some unique,revealing environments. The docents are informed and helpful. Ask questions and they'll clue you in on what you're seeing and hearing.
Boardwalk trail through a wonderful world of wildlife, birds and fauna. Be sure to bring water and wear comfortable shoes.
The three of us, including a fourteen year old, loved this sanctuary. We were lucky to have a guide (Galen) who was a wealth of knowledge on the boardwalk tour, and he fielded every question with valuable information. The guided walk is offered at no extra charge. We saw so many birds, several allegators, and an amazing variety of habitats. Plan to spend several hours on the walk. The visitor's center has cafeteria and washroom facilities.
This is a wonderful resource for wildlife viewing in natural surroundings in south Florida. Take your time and watch carefully. Check with the knowledgeable volunteers who are stationed along the boardwalk regarding sightings. You will see different sights on every visit. We talked with one elderly couple who have come over 25 times and still enjoy walking the boardwalk to see what is there.At $12 per person, it has become a bit pricy so come early and plan to stay. They are quick to point out that the $12 fee is good for two days but that sounded like a gimmick because many are not able to come again the next day.The free volunteer-guided walks are worthwhile but get there early because they are limited with no advance reservations.There are picnic tables and a snack bar with sandwiches, snacks and drinks available for lunch.
The boardwalk takes you into a preserve filled with tropical animals living in their natural habitats and enjoying the freedom of the wild. We have seen massive, rare white owls, alligators, heron, raccoon, snake, and turkey... to name a few. Your completely safe from any wild animals as the 2 and a half mile long trek is located on a boardwalk, so it's access able to handicapped as well. Picnic tables provide a great place for a lunch break at the beginning, however, there's a wonderful gift shop and eatery as well. An indoor terrarium boasts gorgeous nighttime stars amongst an air conditioned, serene set of wildlife figures and mannequins in the main corridor. This trip is incredible for a cooler florida day. Bring some water if not, and enjoy distressing and becoming one with nature. Very worth it!!
Lovely day at the swamp. We saw two alligator, turtles, a kite, and many wading birds. The two mile walk on the Boardwalk was pleasant. The psrking was adequate but the $12 admittance was a bit high, I thought.
Loved the boardwalk. Liked the guided tour by volunteers. We saw things that you would not notice on your own. Our tour was too heavy on plants - we just wanted birds, but the tour was well worth it. Saw alligators, herons (great blue, little blue, tricolor, green, yellow crested night, black crested black, white ibis, great ebret, snowy egret, wood stork, pileated woodpecker, painted bunting. We went on 3 separate days.
Yes, we love nature and always seek out activities where we can learn more about our beautiful and amazing world, especially those activities that feature both flora and fauna, but we have to admit being blown away by what we found here! We spent over two hours and walked 3.5 miles total, beginning in the parking lot round trip, using the well constructed boardwalk that meanders throughout the major habitats of the swamp. We were in no hurry, since I walk with a cane, and spend a lot of extra time photographing the really interesting things, from the gorgeous old growth cypresses to the birds to the occasional animals along the way. If you can handle the walk, don't miss the back part of the swamp that is filled with water! It is really where most of the action takes place and the photography gets really good! It was mid-March, so most critters were involved in the activities associated with mating, so they were on the move, from the entwined indigo snakes to the wood stork shading her nest. We also saw cottonmouth moccasins, alligators, skinks, anoles and raccoons. Bird species that we encountered included yellow bellied sapsucker, black and white warbler, anhinga, great egret, great blue heron, immature and mature white ibis, little blue heron, tri-colored heron, swallow-tailed kite and barred owl. I was totally exhausted by the end of the boardwalk, but so excited to have experienced all the beautiful creatures and habitats along the way! The boardwalk is very handicapped friendly, but is probably more suited for those over 4, as toddlers may not be charmed by the length of it. I have to admit there could have been a porta-potty or two along the way, if it could be tastefully installed without harming the swamp environment. Other than that, visiting the swamp is just an incredible way to appreciate our natural world. We recommend wearing: walking shoes, clothes that wick moisture from your body, insect repellent in the summer and a hat for shade. Bring water, a decent camera or phone, and keep as quiet as possible, using your eyes and ears to spot movement when you least expect it!