A mere 45 minutes from Miami and two hours from Fort Myers, Shark Valley in Everglades National Park is the perfect Florida day trip for adventure seekers, families, and nature lovers alike.
Within a half hour of leaving Miami, we felt like we were in a different world, with the city skyscrapers long gone and the flat, expansive swampland of the Everglades surrounding us as we drove on the Tamiami Trail. Upon arriving at Shark Valley, we were blown away by the abundance of wildlife, rich history of the land, and friendliness of our fellow park visitors.
Today’s travel guide covers when to visit Shark Valley, things to do in the park, and tips to make the most of your trip.
When to Visit Shark Valley
Time of Year
Shark Valley is located in Everglades National Park. The Everglades has two seasons: wet and dry. Summer, which runs from mid-May to November in South Florida, is the wet season. If you visit during this time, you’ll experience temperatures in the 90s. You’ll likely also encounter a thunderstorm, as the majority of the year’s rainfall (nearly 60 inches annually) occurs during the wet season. Our guide at Shark Valley told us that you tend to see less wildlife if you visit during the wet season because most of the alligators stay underwater during the day to keep cool.
It’s much better to visit during the dry season, which is December to mid-May, if you can. The temperatures are cooler then, ranging from the low 50s to upper 70s, and there’s less chance of rain comparatively. The biggest payoff of visiting during the dry season is that the wildlife is more active. We visited Shark Valley in late February and saw over 40 alligators, in addition to a plethora of birds, turtles, and dragonflies.
Time of Day
Like the time of year, time of day also can impact the amount of wildlife you see. Alligators are most active from dusk to dawn. Particularly during the muggy Florida summers, they avoid sunbathing in the mid-day heat, so you’re more likely to spot alligators in the morning or early evening. We arrived at Shark Valley right before the park opened at 8:30 a.m. and encountered dozens of alligators and other animals until we left at 1 p.m.
Things to Do in Shark Valley
Take a Tram Tour
Tip: Sit in the front of the first tram car on the left side for the best view of the wildlife.
If you’re a first-time visitor, I highly recommend starting your Shark Valley visit with an open-air tram tour. During the two-hour tour, a guide gives you an overview of the ecology of the Everglades and the wildlife that lives there, including yes, alligators, but also 300,000 invasive Burmese pythons! You also have the opportunity to take pictures of the wild animals that your driver spots and stop to take in the view from the observation tower.
Our tour guide and driver were fantastic. They made the tour informative and enjoyable. I particularly appreciated learning more about the Seminoles who lived in the Everglades after the Second Seminole War.
Climb the Observation Tower
Make your way to the top of the 65-foot observation tower to take in a panoramic view of the Everglades. This is a great place to take out your binoculars, snap a group photo, or simply stop and admire the scenery.
Explore By Foot
Tip: Bring your own lunch because there is no food sold in the park, and there aren’t many restaurants or shops nearby.
After our tram tour, we ate the subs we packed. Then, we decided to explore some of the 15-mile loop we’d covered on the tram again by foot. I’m so glad we did because it allowed us to spend more time observing the wildlife and snap additional pictures. I captured the below photos of a nest of baby alligators and an anhinga during this part of our visit.
Also, on foot, we were able to chat with some fellow park-goers, who excitedly told us about the animals they’d seen further ahead and gave us recommendations for other things to do in the general Miami area. I think you always meet the nicest people out in nature, and Shark Valley was no exception.
Bike
Another thing to do in Shark Valley is bike the 15-mile paved path. You can bring your own bicycle or rent one of the park’s single-gear bikes for $20. The rentals tend to sell out fast, so I recommend reserving online in advance.
For repeat Shark Valley visitors who have already done the tram tour, biking is the way to go. We’re hoping to return to Everglades National Park with bicycles soon!
Visiting Shark Valley During COVID-19
Per guidelines from the National Park Service, visitors to Everglades National Park are encouraged to stay at least six feet away from other people, wear a mask when near others, and always wear a mask when inside park buildings. During our visit on a (non-holiday) Monday, it was easy to social distance when exploring the park.
Tip: Visit Shark Valley on a weekday to avoid large crowds.
During our tram tour, most people wore masks. However, our tram driver and one person sitting behind us did not. Our tour guide also took his mask off to speak into the microphone. I will note that we were spaced out on the tram. As a precautionary measure, the tour company is only booking to 50% capacity, and our 9 a.m. tour was even less than half full. Having a row in between us and others, as well as the open-air nature of the tour, made us feel more comfortable. Of course, refer to the CDC, state, and local guidelines to make your own informed decision before visiting Shark Valley and/or taking a tram tour.
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