Small Group Motorboat Eco Tour Of The Everglades

Just a beautiful and well informed day out. Nothing too much trouble.

Josh is a wealth of information about everything! We loved learning things we would have never gotten anywhere else. His love of all things nature made our experience once in a life time. We have lived in southwest Florida for 30 years and really happy to become more intimately engaged with the things we live with and around!

We had a fantastic private tour with our four children! From the very beginning it felt personal rather than touristy. Our guide took plenty of time, adapted the tour to our family, and shared an impressive amount of knowledge about the local wildlife and nature. We were lucky enough to see dolphins during the tour, along with lots of other amazing wildlife. Nothing felt rushed, and the whole experience was relaxed, enjoyable, and very informative. If you’re looking for an authentic and personal experience instead of a standard tourist tour, this is the perfect choice. Highly recommended for families with children!

An amazing trip with lots to see and new things to learn. Josh is a local, growing up in the Everglades. We enjoyed how he explained everything and answered all our questions. We all had a blast. We saw lots of bottlenose dolphins and birds. Went on an🏝️ and on top - the kids got to experience to be captain of the boat. Will recommend this small group trip to everyone., family and friend sand will definitely come back for another trip. Thank you so much Josh to share your knowledge.

An excellent small group tour of the 10,000 Islands. Josh is a grest owner/operator of ths tour. We learned a lot about the marine life, wildlife and history of the Everglades National Park. You will see a lot of dolphins that enjoy jumping in the wake behind the boat.

Josh is great. He’s from the area and is very good at his job! His boat chairs are very comfortable. I enjoyed learning about the history of the Ten Thousand islands.

A truly unforgettable experience for my family! Breathtaking views, an island to ourselves and dolphins playing in our wake!! My kids were yelling best day ever within minutes. Josh was such a great guide, with incredible knowledge of the area's history and wildlife. The most reasonably priced tour I could find, but the value was immeasurable.

Josh was amazing!! Absolutely loved this tour! Josh is super knowledgeable. We learned so much about the Everglades. Did not know Dolphins were even in the Everglades. Have never seen them so close and willing to play in the wake of the boat. Highly recommend this tour. Worth every $ to have this experience.

Highly recommend this tour, best we’ve ever been on! Josh is super knowledgeable and friendly and his love of his home environment comes through during the whole tour. Playing with the dolphins will stay with us forever! Thanks Josh!

Great tour, Josh was super knowledgeable about the area and wildlife. The dolphins playing were pretty special !!

Josh was a wonderful tour guide. We learned so much about the history of the Everglades, the environment, flora, fauna and birds, and Josh was expert at finding dolphins who chased our boat, jumping and twirling. So much fun! I highly recommend this tour - great for all ages!

Wonderful tour! Seeing dolphins so close to the boat (and know they were safe and having fun) was exciting! Thank you, Josh!

Josh our guide was extremely knowledgable and very courteous. He went out of his way to show us all the birds and other wildlife. He also knew that we were very interested in seeing the dolphins and he made sure we saw plenty. My grandson and I enjoyed seeing the dolphins playing in the wakes of the boat. We ended up doing a private tour as noone else booked that morning. We felt very privileged to experience this extraordinary ecosystem with a great guide.

This was one of the best tours we've ever done. Watching dolphins surf the wake of the boat was the highlight of our entire south Florida vacation for our whole family. Captain Josh was an outstanding guide. He's kind, warm, and seemed to get genuine joy from showing us around and sharing his love of the area and knowledge of the wildlife. We would 100% do this tour again if we return to the Everglades. The ability to support the small business of a lifelong local rather than the Goliaths trying to take over tourism in the area makes it even better.

Had an amazing time on our eco tour. Having the dolphins jumping in our wake was a special, joyful experience!

We had a great time. Josh was really nice and very knowledgeable and made things interesting. Our favorite part was having dolphins play on the boat wake, but the whole morning was thoroughly enjoyable. We highly recommend this tour.

We were looking for a more intimate experience in the everglades than the usual tourist activities and that is what we got! Captain Josh is a longtime resident of the thousand islands with college level and local ecological expertise and you can tell he loves this place. We saw a variety of birds , including herons, osprey, eagles, egrets, as well as loggerhead turtles and many playful dolphins . I think i also saw a ray. We learned about this place as Calusa homeland and boated around a shell mound island. There were four passengers and I felt very safe with this capable captain and very small boat! There is a sun shade cover on the boat. I forgot to bring binoculars, which would have been really helpful!

Our trip with Josh was everything we hoped for - by every measure. One of our group is a PhD environmentalist who has focused his career on native grasses and plants. He was impressed by the depth of Josh's knowledge and understanding of the forces of nature in the Everglades. Since Josh grew up in the area, he was able to provide us with a unique lived experience description of the changes in the area (and the entire Florida eco system ) over time. His passion and knowledge make learning such an immersive experience. We will definitely take other trips with him as there is so much to learn and experience. It is rare to find a guide who is able to speak about the evolution of the area with such detail on a first person basis.

My husband, 2 siblings and spouses (all over age 70) went on Captain Josh's Eco Tour and had a wonderful time this morning! We learned things about Florida water birds, dolphins, and manatees that we didn't know - from a native Floridian sharing his experiences growing up around the water. FYI: My sister found out that with her fair skin she should have sat in the center where it was shadier. We highly recommend Capt. Josh!

What a wonderful experience! Our tour guide, Josh, was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and so friendly. Not only did he point out various animals and plants, but he shared so much interesting background about them, too. Josh also provided the perfect ending by enticing the dolphins to chase our speeding boat. As the numerous dolphins began following us, they gave such an incredible show of leaping into the air numerous times for several minutes. Thanks so much, Josh, for everything.

An absolutely wonderful trip. Josh is a courteous, helpful and brilliant guide, who knows everything about the area, wildlife, the islands and where best to view birds and sea creatures in their own environment. We had a great time seeing different birds. We saw a bald eagle with nest and chick, an osprey with nest and chick and a wide variety of herons, ibis, etc. The highlight was watching dolphins play in the wake of the boat. Nothing was rushed and Josh gave us time to take photos from every angle. It genuinely felt like a boat trip with friends. We would not hesitate to go do the trip again. We highly recommend captain Josh for a trip to the islands!!

Joshua was very flexible with a meeting time and location. He was very easy to communicate with when we had unexpected flight delays. Joshua adjusted our tour based on the group's interest and was able to share stories, history and facts about the ecology and biology of the area. We travelled with 2 teenaged boys and he kept them interested and engaged for the entire trip. We left with fillets of 3 different types of fish we caught and thoroughly enjoyed them for dinner at a local restaurant, suggested by Joshua.

This was a really great trip. We saw dolphins, manatee mother and baby, lots of birds, and the captain knew what he was doing and so made it a good trip. There were 4 of us and you sit in nice comfortable folding chairs. My only complaint is that we were in the front two and far enough away from the Captain so that we could not hear everything he said. You get the feeling that he is speaking only to the people close to him. I guess we should have said something, but it was not the whole time, so it was hard to say anything I often sat sideway with one ear towards him thinking he would get the message. My understanding is that this trip can be 6 people. I cannot see how that would work at all. I would recommend this to a friend for sure, but would tell them to sit closest to the captain. I think he needs to wear a microphone. Better too loud than not loud enough.

INCREDIBLE. Captain Josh went out of his way to have us experience all that we asked for. He went way beyond. Prior to the trip he was very responsive to my inquiries. During he was very attentive to our needs. He has a perfect boat for this type of excursion and showed us a wonderful time. We went for both a morning and afternoon session on two separate days. I would not hesitate for a moment to do a repeat performance.

This tour was much better than we expected. Josh is such a knowledgeable tour guide, we learned a lot about the history and ecology of the area, and we saw a lot of amazing and beautiful wildlife! Highly recommend.

Josh was the best tour guide we have ever had - anywhere! It's obvious he grew up in the Everglades and when you combine that with his passion for the area and the outdoors in general, you get the best experience possible. He spent extra time searching for area raptors (successfully) and knew exactly how to get the dolphins to 'play' with us without harassing them. 5+ stars for Josh and our Small Group Motorboat Eco-tour!!

The day was very cold (high 50s) and overcast. My small photo workshop was ready to cancel the trip. I talked them into terrified that it would be a bust. Captain Josh thoughtfully kept the windchill as low as he could,‘a He found birds, dolphins and managed a perfect tour. My group had a great time and would go again tomorrow if I’d let them!

I have been thinking for the past 48 hours the exact words to describe this experience! It was absolutely excellent! Captain Josh is very knowledgeable. He was a native of the area and still lives there. He studied marine biology in college. His guided tour was simply like having a conversation, not some memorized monologue. My friends and I have been talking about this trip ever since we got back on shore. Highly recommend! We will definitely be doing this trip again. I chose this particular adventure because it was a small boat with capacity only for six people. However, this day, we were fortunate enough it was just our party of four. I have included a list of the different birds we saw that day. Captain Josh even got dolphins to play in our wake! You gotta take this tour!!!!!

Josh is great guide, customer and nature focused. Dolphins are just chasing his boat and birds follow him. We were with family, everyone loved Josh explaining the nature and animals. Trip took even a bit longer than expected but time doesnt matter when you are there with nature. It was easy to book trip online and all information came quickly on mail. I advise trips with Josh. We will do it again one day!

This tour and the guide Josh are outstanding. My husband and I learned so much from him about the eco systems and wildlife in the area. He also told interesting stories about the Native American culture and other history from that area. The highlight was the the dolphins who would come near the boat to ride in the wake. Since the boat has a low profile in the water, you can get very close to the dolphins, and they'll even turn on their sides to make eye contact with you. This tour was definitely the highlight of our vacation and we'll plan on taking it again whenever we come back to this area.

We visited the Everglades, KeyWest and Dry Tortugas island Florida. The trip with Josh was by far the highlight of our vacation. Josh is a walking encyclopedia and knows the Everglades like the back of his hand. If you have an opportunity book a tour with Josh you won’t be disappointed.

An amazing experience. Dolphins played in our boat wake for minutes! Josh is extremely knowledgable and great story teller. I learned more on this excursion than any other eco tour I've been on.

What a trip. We are visiting Florida for the first time and this trip was a highlight. Peter was amazing. So friendly and genuinely happy to show us his part of the world where he has lived all his life and knows like to back of his hand. The three of us were the only ones on the boat which meant Peter was happy to devote his time and knowledge sharing all the time directly to us novices. The enthusiasm and efforts Peter made to share his love and knowledge of the Everglades was infectious and a delight. Thank you Peter for giving us a magical day. We will return the courtesy if you ever make it to west Cork Ireland to see our amazing coastline and sea life. One last bit of advise to potential future folks looking at this trip. "Do it!" It is the best money we spent in Florida. 4+ hours of amazement with a true gentleman.

Fantastic tour! We couldn’t rate Josh highly enough! His knowledge of marine life and habitat made the difference. Hope to go again when we have the chance.

Josh is very friendly and knowledgeable, he goes out of his way to make sure you have the best experience possible. My wife was concerned about sea sickness, he was very conscious of the issue and we had no problems at all! Amazing and peaceful tour, the dolphins were awesome!

We had a wonderful trip. Josh was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Everglades. We learnt so much on our tour. We were fortunate enough to have the trip to ourself. We saw the dolphins playing, dolphin and her baby, herons, white pelicans and much more. Unfortunately didn’t see any turtles but that’s nature. Thank you for such an amazing morning and experience. It was wonderful and we would thoroughly recommend this tour

DON'T MISS THIS EXPERIENCE! Honestly, I was skeptical when my husband booked this excursion but I am beyond grateful for this experience. Captain Josh is every sort of fabulous as a tour guide. Mother Nature cooperated with a beautiful sunny day, and we saw so many types of wildlife that were new to us. We loved that a small pod of dolphin joined us for almost 2 miles, playfully jumping and twisting in the sun. We did not know what to expect so we brought along a change of clothes, towels, extra shoes etc. All you need is sunscreen and (maybe) a towel if you desire a "splash around" when he stops at an island. Really, he is just a tremendous resource with tons of knowledge as a true local who has years of first hand experience in the Everglades. He allowed us to bring our 2 dogs along, and they were made quite comfortable. I simply can't recommend him and this one of a kind opportunity highly enough to anyone who is on the fence....BOOK IT!

Captain Josh is a local, born and raised in Everglades City. He knows every island, every mangrove alley and every dolphin by name and personality. He can identify every bit of wildlife from birds to shells and knows where to find them. The boat had chairs and it was such a smooth ride all over Ten Thousand Islands. My buddy and I had the best time hanging onto every word about the history of the islands, the ecology and the people that make the area special. It's been a few days since the trip and all I can think of is when can I go again. I cannot believe my luck with finding him and can't wait to take the kids next time!

Absolutely incredible! Would absolutely book again! Captain Josh was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. Love knowing he grew up in these same rivers that he now tours in! Loved loved loved it!

Captain Josh was extremely knowledgeable and a fun guide. We saw a variety of birds and got to see quite a few dolphins. Our children are 4 and 6 and really enjoyed the experience.

Amazing tour Josh is a true professional and knows the Everglades like the back of his hand as a life long resident. It makes a huge difference to go out with someone that has that kind education and experience and lives it daily. He kept us captivated the entire time with his stories and helped us understand the ecosystem which was just fascinating. I can’t recommend Capt Josh enough. Wonderful day!!!

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a memorable experience exploring the beauty and bounty of the Everglades with Captain Josh. His knowledge of the area was impressive and educational. We highly recommend Native Tours for a small group tour of the Everglades.

Josh graciously and expertly guided us through the Everglades. If you appreciate nature and wildlife then this is the tour for you and you won’t get a better guide than Josh! We saw a shark, a manatee, several dolphins that played right next to the boat and many different types of birds. We also got off at one of the islands and we picked up beautiful and unique shells off the beach and also some shards of old Indian pottery. Josh also gives you a history of the Everglades. Needless to say he is very knowledgeable. We had a group of 5-my sisters and sisters-in-law and there was plenty of room to move about on the boat. We will look forward to going again!

We were lucky enough to spend a morning with Captain Josh on his boat exploring the Everglades. I’ve never known such a knowledgable guide. He’s also great fun and attentive. We saw the most beautiful dolphins and wildlife. We’ve done a lot of tours over the years and this is by far the best trip we’ve ever done. We have 4 teenagers who all loved it. I wish we could do it all over again!

Captain Josh was born and raised in the Everglades, and it shows! He’s not just a tour guide—he’s a dolphin whisperer and a walking encyclopedia of the Everglades. His knowledge, passion, and storytelling bring this unique ecosystem to life. Be sure to ask him about the documentaries he’s filmed or contributed to—his behind-the-scenes stories are just as fascinating as the tour itself. Hands down, the best tour ever! 🐬🌿🎥

Wow!!! Above and beyond what we expected. Dolphins were a highlight. Definitely take a waterproof camera for underwater shots. I’ll be back with more friends and family in the future.

Experience was an absolute blast. Both for the physical beauty and the local history. Our guide had so many local stories and knowledge.

We went on the tour as a couple, and even though we were the only ones, we got the royal treatment. Captain Josh was amazing! We enjoyed all the wildlife and saw several dolphins. We found several cool shells on our beach walk. We especially enjoyed just listening to Captain Josh. I don’t think we could have had as good an experience with anyone else. He grew up here and we learned so much more than we thought we would. It was really interesting. Thank you for the awesome tour!❤️😊

I would do the same trip every time I was here if I came back! He was so knowledgeable about the area and found all of the wildlife (and more) that we had hoped to see. Great time!