"I Wrassled A Alligator...." Everglades National Park by giampiero6

Everglades National Park Travel Guide: 373 reviews and 931 photos

The Gator Gang. - Everglades National Park

**Please note. I'm told that airboats are not allowed inside the Everglades National Park.
Apparently this trip was just on the boundaries I recommend an airboat ride outside the park since in the park, around everglades city you can't venture into the mangrove or 'grass'

An airboat ride in the Everglades is a pretty amazing experience. I was sort of expecting a much less rewarding and overly touristy experience. What we got was a really cool, peaceful, pleasant and at times terrifying experience. Kent our Pilot spun us around to lots of little still nooks and crannies and kind of filled us in on a few of the features.

Big Daddy

Kent is a swamp native who has spent some of his childhood days gator wrasslin' Here he is tempting fate, which is fine except that I was about 18 inches away from him when he was doing it. When you float by, you cut the engine and then float towards the gators who come meet you. They look like huge fake dark black plastic gators...but they're real, baby. Look into the eyes of a mammal and you feel there's a soul. Look into the eyes of a gator and it's pure black evil!

A Smart Bird Escapes

Aside from the gator grabbin' there's a whole beautiful wetlands (duh it's all water) with gorgeous cranes, egrets and other beauties. Enjoy

Pros and Cons

Pros:Stillness and Peace. Amazing Wildlife
Cons:Hot, Swampy, Mosquito Fest in Summer
In a nutshell:Amazing Ecosystem

Last visit to Everglades National Park: Dec 2002
Intro Updated Jun 25, 2003
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Reviews (3)

A Graceful Crane Flies - Everglades National Park

Visit In Winter Off The Beaten Path (2)

There are many reasons to visit during the winter. 1) It's not brutally hot and humid 2) You will see lots of gators... more travel advice

Our Friend Approaches - Everglades National Park

Airboats. Much More Intense Than You... Off The Beaten Path (2)

**Please note. I'm told that airboats are not allowed inside the Everglades National Park. Apparently my trip was just... more travel advice

Airboat in the Grass - Everglades National Park

Avoid the Everglades City Airboats Tourist Traps (1)

**Please note. I'm told that airboats are not allowed inside the Everglades National Park. Apparently this trip was just... more travel advice

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Comments (19)

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Basaic Oct 27, 2008 at 4:42 PM

I made several trips down here in my youth; but not since about 1976. I hope to go back soon. Great Page.
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brucieh Jul 2, 2008 at 7:32 PM

I lived in Naples in 1969 and worked n the everglades/Great cypress swamp on a surveying team. It is somewhat different than when I was there. Lived in the everglades for 6 to 7 months. Brucie
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roz.van Jul 1, 2007 at 2:35 AM

Had to click on Everglades! Scariest thing u could run into in Ireland is prob a Badger (usually a squashed one). Will be checking in for the auto rickshaw challenge (can't believe you're going through with that LOL) Roz :-)
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Pawtuxet May 20, 2006 at 4:06 AM

Gator madness, indeed! Oh, and then there are mosquitos too. Think I'm going to leave the gator encounters to others, thank you very much. Seriously, it must have been a pretty significant experience for all of you.
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Katmosphere Aug 1, 2005 at 3:07 PM

I love the Everglades.....
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deeper_blue Jun 23, 2003 at 4:02 PM

I don't fancy meeting those aligators on a raft!
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S.D.ARTHUR Feb 9, 2003 at 9:17 AM

Fun page! The alligator nuggets were awfull!
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nomorewars Jan 31, 2003 at 9:52 AM

A great page.
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mrclay2000 Jan 31, 2003 at 8:42 AM

Every official link I've ever read about the Everglades expressly states that airboats are not allowed within park confines. These photos confuse the viewer. Airboats are operated everywhere in South Florida, but OUTSIDE the Everglades.
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frankcanfly Jan 26, 2003 at 6:20 PM

This is an excellent episode of "Everglades Survivor" !!