By now, you’ve probably seen footage or read stories about the algae problems in the Caloosahatchee River and the red tide. This red tide has been lingering off the shore since November. Images of dead fish and sea turtles are heartbreaking.

One main key to fixing this problem lies in the restoration of the Everglades. Once the Everglades returns to its natural flow of water, the algae problem should subside.

Southern Florida had a very wet May, so algae blooms filled Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie River in June. The Caloosahatchee looks like a blue-green slimy water because of all the algae floating within it. The algae thrives in hot, stagnant water.

Nutrients from the lake have gone into the river, which has fed the algae bloom. The bloom starts at the lake and extends to the mouth of the Caloosahatchee.  When the algae gets large, it gathers at the surface creating a toxic, smelly, unattractive slime in the water.

These algae produce a toxin. If you encounter the algae (or are close to it) you can feel the effects such as headache, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and pneumonia. If you’re exposed to the algae for long periods, you are at a higher risk of developing liver cancer, and neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and ALS.

The algae is making people sick, killing sea life, hurting the fishing industry, and hurting the Florida tourism industry as people cannot go out in boats, paddleboards, kayaks, or swim because of the toxic algae lurking in the lake, river, and Gulf waters.

Other findings show there needs to be a better regulation of agricultural runoff from sugar cane and other farms in south Florida, but the changed waterways are a big part of why there is an algae and red tide problem each year.

The hope is with more regulations and restoration the algae will not grow in such big numbers and cause health problems and sea life deaths.

Explore the Everglades by Airboat

It’s unfortunate and a travesty that the southwest coast is experience the red tide, but the Everglades is clean and OK for people to explore, especially by airboat. Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours is open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To book an airboat trip in the Everglades, call Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 239-695-3377 or click Everglades airboat tour page.

Every winter, birds flock down to Florida, and the Everglades, to beat the cold but to also nest. Nesting season is extremely important because it solidifies the future of these species of birds, especially those who are endangered and nearing extinction.

Each year, certain areas of Everglades Park are closed so the birds can nest in private without the possibility of being disturbed by humans. Any change in the environment (humans or not) can keep the birds from wanting to nest in the Everglades or nesting at all, so it’s extremely important to give the birds their space.

The 2018 wading bird nesting seas in the Park was successful. The number of wading birds nesting was a large number. For the first time since the 1940s, the White Ibis nesting pairs were in high numbers. As of May 2018, the baby birds fled or left their nests.

The White Ibis breeding groups are called supercolonies. These supercolonies haven’t really existed in the Everglades since humans re-directed the water years ago. With the restoration of the Everglades, one goal is to return the water to its original flow and increase the waterflow, so the land will resemble the water conditions it had before people inhabited the area. One-way scientists measure the success of the restoration is through the number of wading bird colonies during the nesting season. This year’s wading bird season is showing that life can turn back to its normal ways in the Everglades through water and ecosystem restoration, but there’s still a long way to go.
Explore the Everglades by Airboat

Check out the Everglades wonderful birdlife and wildlife by airboat! You may not be able to se close to nesting birds, but you will be able to spots many bird species on a trip!

Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours is open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We can point out birds to you on the trip! If you love birds, come for a ride on an airboat! To book an airboat trip in the Everglades, call Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 239-695-3377 or click Everglades airboat tour page.

We’re amid the wet season right now in Florida and the Everglades; the season runs through November and started in May.

Before heading out into the Park, you should be prepared in knowing what to expect of the Everglades during this wet season.

• Average temperatures can be as high at 90 degrees.
• Humidity can be over 90 percent.
• Heat index can be over 100 degrees.
• Every day, you can expect an afternoon thunderstorm. These storms usually pass by quickly.
• Weather can be unpredictable (more than usual) because of the torrential rain and thunderstorms – it’s hard to say when they’ll arrive and for how long.
• It’s hard to see wildlife this time of year because of the wetter conditions, higher water levels, and high temperatures.
• Insects are in high numbers, including mosquitoes, so it’s best you come equipped with bug spray or clothing to minimize the amount of exposed skin.
• There are less tours during the wet season.
• Some facilities and areas may be closed or partially closed during this season.
• Less people make the Park easier to explore and it is quieter.

Explore the Everglades by Airboat

Come out and explore the Everglades during the wet season. Come during the morning to avoid the rain storms! Come prepared with bug spray, hats, sunglasses, and water, so you can have a comfortable trip. Unfortunately, you may not see as much wildlife as you would during the dry season, but they’re still plenty of creatures around. Also, you don’t have to deal with big crowds during the wet season, and you can explore the park with more peace of mind.

Whether it’s the wet or dry season, airboats are out on the water! Come enjoy a fun trip out on the water exploring the Everglades. Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours is open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To book an airboat trip in the Everglades, call Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 239-695-3377 or click Everglades airboat tour page.

We’re in the middle of fall, and now is a great time to explore the Everglades! As the weather starts to cool down and the “in” season for Florida grows near, there are more activities to do in the park. Also, it is a lot more enjoyable to explore the Everglades, when it’s not brutally hot out!

As a private Everglades airboat company, we know a lot about the Everglades and we love to hear about all the fun activities people do within this beautiful ecosystem (besides jump on an airboat ride, that is!) For this article, we wanted to share with you some fun activities for you to do in the Everglades on a trip during October.

Anhinga Amble
Every day at 10:30 to 11:30 am., 11 a.m. to noon (in German)
Free with park entrance fee.
On the Anhinga Amble, visitors get to explore the Anhinga Trail and get the chance to see alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife. The walk starts at the Royal Palm benches. This trail is wheelchair accessible. The walk is 50 minutes long.

Glades Glimpse
Every day from 1:30 to 2 p.m.
Free with park entrance fee.
Sit back and relax and listen to a Park Ranger give a 20-minute talk ton the Everglades. Topics vary daily. The talk will be at the Royal Palm benches. The area is wheelchair accessible.

Shark Valley Tram Tours
Every day until October 24
9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Adults $25, Seniors (62+) $19, Children (3-12) $12.75
Jump on a tram to explore the Everglades and get a chance to see alligators, birds, and other wildlife. A Park Ranger or Park Naturalist will lead the tour. The tours are wheelchair accessible.
Reservations are recommended. Call 305-221-8455.

Explore the Everglades by Airboat

These are just a few of the activities happening in the Park in October. Airboat tours happen daily! Our team at Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours is open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We have years of experience navigating through the wetland and can point out lots of plant and animal life out to you.  It’s an experience you’ll never forget. To book an airboat trip in the Everglades, call Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 239-695-3377 or click Everglades airboat tour page.