Everglades Wilderness Waterway planning
Everglades Wilderness Waterway wildlife & seasons
What lives here and what each season brings, so you time the trip for the experience you want.
Wildlife
West Indian manatees and bottlenose dolphins in the bays, alligators in brackish creeks, crocodiles toward Florida Bay, and huge winter concentrations of wading birds including roseate spoonbills.
Season by season
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March – May | The dry season ends — water levels bottom out, bird nesting peaks, heat builds. |
| Summer | June – September | Dangerous season: daily lightning, brutal heat and the year's worst mosquitoes. Avoid. |
| Autumn | October – November | Hurricane season tapers off; water is high and humidity lingers into late November. |
| Winter | December – February | Prime season: mild temperatures, low humidity and minimal insects. |
Water conditions
There is no fresh water anywhere along the 99-mile trail. Carry at least one gallon per person per day for the whole trip, and work the tide tables — the waterway runs with the tides.