Flamingo is where the Everglades road ends. It sits at the southern edge of Everglades National Park on Florida Bay, about 38 miles from the main entrance near Homestead, and the drive there passes sawgrass, pinelands and mangrove with almost no development. The settlement is small: a visitor center, a marina, a campground and trails. Boat tours run from the marina into the backcountry and bay, giving a good chance to see wading birds, ospreys, dolphins in the bay and, with luck, an American crocodile or manatee. Flamingo is the only place in the park where freshwater alligators and saltwater crocodiles share habitat, which makes it a favorite for naturalists. The tours here are small and quiet compared with an airboat ride, and they let you see mangrove shorelines and open water that the roads do not reach. Flamingo lost its lodge in Hurricane Wilma in 2005, and services here have been limited and can vary by season and storm recovery, so check current conditions before you commit to the drive.
The trip is part of the experience. From Homestead the park road crosses several distinct ecosystems: Long Pine Key's pinelands, the Pa-hay-okee marsh, the stunted cypress of the Dwarf Cypress area and the mangrove coast. Stopping at Mahogany Hammock, West Lake and the Mrazek Pond is a good way to break up the drive. At Flamingo itself, the marina and the Eco Pond are known for birds, including the occasional roseate spoonbill or, in some winters, a wandering flamingo.
Plan carefully. There are no services between the entrance and Flamingo other than visitor facilities along the way, so fill up on fuel and bring water and food. Mosquitoes and biting insects can be intense in the wet season, from roughly late spring through early fall, and some programs are reduced or suspended then. Dry season, from about December through April, is the best time for both weather and wildlife. Boat tours depend on tides, winds and staffing, so reserve ahead and confirm the schedule. A park entrance fee applies.
Flamingo is best for visitors with a full day, a love of quiet places and a rental car. If you only have a morning, the Anhinga Trail is a more efficient choice, and if you want speed rather than quiet, an airboat ride suits better. Check the park website for current alerts and hours and read the tour terms about weather and cancellations when you book.
What to expect
The experience
A guided boat tour from the Flamingo marina into Florida Bay and the backcountry mangroves at the southern end of Everglades National Park.
Best time
Dry season, about December to April, for fewer insects and better wildlife viewing.
How long
A few hours on the water plus a long drive each way.
Tips
Fill your fuel tank before the park, carry water and food, wear repellent, and confirm tour schedules and current park alerts.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who like quiet places
- Families
- Good for older children; the drive is long
- Couples
- Peaceful and remote
- Pair with
- Anhinga Trail, Mahogany Hammock
- Time needed
- A full day
Good questions
How far is Flamingo from Homestead?+
About 38 miles from the main entrance, roughly an hour or more of driving each way depending on stops.
Can I see crocodiles?+
Flamingo is one of the few places where American crocodiles and alligators overlap. Sightings are possible but not guaranteed.
Are services available?+
Services are limited and vary by season. Bring food and water and check current conditions.
What is the best time to visit?+
December through April is cooler, drier and has fewer mosquitoes.
Are tours always running?+
Schedules depend on weather, tides and season. Reserve and check the terms before you travel.
