Things to do When You Visit the Ten Thousand Islands

The Everglades National Park has so much to offer visitors like canoeing, kayaking, airboat tours, camping, bird-watching – the list is endless. The unique landscape of the Everglades National Park spans over 1.5 million acres, of which over one third is covered with water. There is so much to see and do here in this wilderness paradise. As you begin to explore the Everglades National Park, you will come across much evidence that points to just how replete this land is with unique ecosystems and natural resources. Take the Ten Thousand Islands for instance. There is just so much interesting things that these tiny islands abound with.

About the Ten Thousand Islands

As the name suggests, the Ten Thousand Islands are a group of tiny islands in the Gulf of Mexico that are surrounded by clams beds and covered with dense mangrove forests. Most of these islands rest in the Everglades National Park. Despite the name, the number of these small islands stands only in the hundreds. The Northern region of the Ten Thousand Islands lies in the Ten Thousand Island National Wildlife Refuge while the Southern portion is in the Everglades National Park. Almost all the Ten Thousand Islands are uninhabited by humans. The largest island Chokoloskee Island has a population of about 400 residents today.

Things to do in the Ten Thousand Islands

The Ten Thousand Islands are a place that abounds with pristine wilderness and natural beauty. There are many activities one can enjoy in these islands.

1. Boating

Boating in the Ten Thousand Islands can be a challenging but fun activity. Plan ahead of time and plan well, as exploring this wilderness by water requires you to. You will be at Mother Nature's mercy while you're there so it's always good to be prepared. Always choose two routes before you set out in case you are not able to use one. Take in account the season that you will be boating in and take along necessary items to combat weather conditions. Get guide books, maps, nautical charts, a compass and other travel plans to navigate your way through the wilderness. Take winds, tides, your capabilities and capacity into account while planning an itinerary.

2. Kayaking

The landscape of the Ten Thousand Islands offers great opportunities for exploring at your own pace at water level by canoe or kayak. While the airboat tours or alligator tours that ply on a fan boat in the Everglades are a fun experience, there is nothing like ambling along the water on a canoe or a kayak, witnessing the wildlife up close. The tour operators may include people who carry their own gear to the park or ones that provide guides and equipment.



3. Photography Tours

The spectacularly beautiful landscape of the Ten Thousand Islands offers much scope to take absolutely breathtaking photographs. Try your hand at photography with the photography tours available here. Remember to bring a waterproof carry-bag to keep your camera dry.

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