Florida Bay backcountry eco-tour

Small boats leave the bay side of Islamorada into Florida Bay, the shallow water between the Keys and the Everglades, and spend about two hours winding through channels between seagrass flats and the hundreds of little mangrove and hardwood-hammock islands that dot it. Nothing is scripted: the captain stops for whatever shows up, often so close that binoculars are no help. Wading birds, eagles, manatees, rays and nurse sharks all live in these waters.

Most trips are private, on a small deck boat, and can be shaped around what you want: more wildlife, a picnic, or a run timed for sunset. Everglades National Park is a few minutes away by boat. At Robbie's, where many trips start, the tarpon that gather under the dock can be hand-fed, which fills the wait before you go out.