The Florida Keys:
Florida Bay
The Florida Keys are a natural gateway to the Everglades National Park: as we launch the boat on the Western, bayside of the Keys, we nearly immediately find ourselves inside of the Park. This vast expanse of water is home to tens of thousands of acres of lush grass flats - their vibrant ecosystems are both visually captivating and spiritually tranquil. The history, immensity, and intricacy of this beautiful sanctuary filled with all kinds of wildlife equates to an unforgettable experience for a first-time visitor or a seasoned veteran. Unrivaled sunrises and sunsets, hundreds of species of birds and fish, all shapes and sizes of reptiles and amphibians, and limited interference by man elevate the waters of the Florida Keys and the Everglades in their esteemed position that so many desire to visit.
Officially founded in December of 1947, the Everglades National Park is a timeless refuge of over 1.5 million acres of sawgrass prairies, mangrove swamps, and jungle-like hammocks. The Everglades National Park is also the first national park established to preserve biological diversity and resources, rather than just scenic views.​ A continual struggle to save the park and all of its wildlife is an ambition that may never see completion. Sadly, although development within the park itself has been moderate to none, increased building, infrastructure, housing, and farmlands getting closer and closer to the Park's borders have put a strain on the water supply to the Park's many rivers, creeks, and marshes. This in turn has affected the entire ecosystem of the Everglades, and gives vital reason for the Park to be defended, fought for, and saved.
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My hope as your fishing guide is to share the unique beauty and diversity that the Florida Keys and our Florida Everglades have to offer, as well as offer instruction on the preservation and conservation of this treasure. On your charter with me, be sure to ask questions - I strongly believe that on each and every trip we take, there is something new to be seen, heard, or experienced!
all park visitors are required to purchase park entry passes:
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Directly from the National Park Service website:
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/fees.htm
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All park visitors are required to pay an entrance fee. Money collected is used to directly improve visitor experiences and assist with the cost of providing safe, meaningful experiences to park visitors.
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You can purchase your park pass online using the Recreation.gov link or click on the Recreation.gov photo. You may either purchase an individual entry pass for $15, a private vehicle pass for $30, (either pass is good for 7 days) or an annual pass for $55, which covers unlimited park entry for one year from date of purchase.
