Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1:
Q: What items do you recommend that I bring along with me while I am on the tour?
A: You need to bring along sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30, all personal medication, a bottle of water, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable clothing, and a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. We ask that you refrain from using perfumes or colognes since this attracts insects and may cause respiratory distress in some people.
Insect repellent is advisable during the late spring through the late summer. We ask that you not spray any insect repellent in the bus or in any buildings. Please apply insect spray in a well-ventilated area.
We suggest you bring a good camera or camcorder since there will be many opportunities for photographs. Please check your camera’s battery prior to the tour since we will be in areas that have limited resources.
You may also consider bringing a good pair of binoculars for viewing the wildlife and scenery.
It is also advisable to have a rain poncho in case of rain. We suggest that you bring a warm jacket during the cooler months especially for the boat rides. We also suggest that you not wear shorts or sandals during the colder months due to wind chill factors. Dress appropriately according to the temperatures!
Question 2:
Q. Where do you pick up and drop off passengers?
A. Granada Shoppes (Corner of U.S. 41 & Immokalee Road near Moe's Southwest Grill), Park Shore Plaza (near Perkins Restaurant), and Naples Plaza (near Books-A-Million Bookstore). If you are staying at a hotel or other property in our area, we ask that you make arrangements for transportation to one of the designated pick up locations for your tour. When booking your tour, please choose your pick up location and notate the time of your pick up. It would be impossible to schedule a pick up at every hotel in the area prior to the tour, so we hope this does not cause any inconvenience for you. To see detailed maps of the locations where we pick up passengers, please go to the Location Pick up Map page.
Question 3:
Q. Can I smoke while inside or outside the bus or while on the tour?
A. We offer a smoke free environment and a non-smoking vehicle for the tour. Most areas that we will visit are non-smoking environments, and most prohibit smoking. Restaurants maintain a smoke-free environment by Florida law.
Question 4:
Q. Can I use my cell phone, MP3 player, or other electronic devices while on the tour?
A. You may only use these devices while outside the bus before the tour or while at lunch. The tour director will be giving important information while both on the bus and while at our destinations, so we hope you won’t miss it. Please refrain from using your cell phone while in the bus since this interferes with other guests trying to listen to the naturalist. We also ask you to turn off all electronic equipment including cell phones while in sensitive areas. Please turn off your electronic devices during the tour as a courtesy to the other guests. Thank you.
Question 5:
Q. Approximately how long should I allow for the tour?
A. Tour times vary depending on which tour you choose. The trip time includes all pickup and delivery from hotels plus all destinations on the tour. We hope you will find the tour to be a very informative and have an enjoyable day. Please refer to the Tour Schedules and Prices section for tour times.
Question 6:
Q. Is a meal included on the tour?
A. Lunch is only available on the Everglades Adventure. Lunch is not included on the Everglades Half-Day Airboat Tour and the Corkscrew Swamp Adventure.
Question 7:
Q. How much does your tour cost?
A. The tour prices vary so please check our Tour Schedules and Prices under our reservations link for additional information and pricing. All prices are subject to change without notice.
Question 8:
Q. Do you offer an air boat ride?
A. Yes, we offer an exciting air boat ride into the back country of the Big Cypress on the Everglades Adventure, and on the Everglades Half-Day Airboat Tour.
Question 9:
Q. What methods of payment do you accept?
A. We accept only Visa, MasterCard, Discovery, and American Express. All reservations can be either made online through our secure website or by calling our office at 1.239.776.9050. Your credit card also guarantees you a secure reservation for the tour.
Question 10:
Q. What is your cancellation and refund policy?
A. You must cancel your reservation prior to 48 hours before the start of your tour. A refund will then be issued to you less a $30.00 service fee. If you cancel between 24 hours and 48 hours of your tour, you will be charged a 50% cancellation fee based on your ticket price(s). No refund can be given on any cancellation with less than 24 hours notification. You will be charged the full ticket price. To view our entire cancellation policy, please go to the Refund and Cancellation Policy page.
Question 11:
Q. How do I make reservations for the tour?
A. Please go to the reservations section on our website. Check the calendar for available dates and then select the desired date that you wish to book your tour. This will allow to you make a reservation. Please complete all the required information on the reservation form including your pick up location and a telephone number where you can be reached in case of cancellation. You will then be sent an email confirmation for your records once the reservation is confirmed. Reservations will only be accepted via our secure website or over the telephone. Your email confirmation receipt that will be sent to you will be your ticket for the tour.
Question 12:
Q. What are your hours of operation?
A. Our tour times start at 8:15 a.m. and end with the conclusion of the the tour. You may call the business from Sunday through Saturday excluding holidays. We will return your phone call within 24 hours, if you leave a recorded message. Our tour times vary depending on the tour.
Question 13:
Q. What if I have other questions, and I do not see them listed here?
A. If you have any more questions, please fill out our Contact Email Form on our website. Be sure to select the appropriate subject before submitting your inquiry.
Question 14:
Q. Can I bring food, milk, or coffee on the bus or on the tour?
A. Food and hot drinks, such as fast food, snacks, milk, hot coffee, hot tea, and alcohol are prohibited on the bus due to safety and spillage concerns for you and other guests. Glass containers are prohibited per DOT regulations. Food is also not allowed in protected environmental and wildlife areas. We ask that all guests observe this rule for your safety. We are sorry, but no exceptions will be made regarding this rule.
Question 15:
Q. Can I feed the wildlife or alligators?
A. It is illegal to feed wildlife or alligators in the state of Florida. You can be arrested plus given jail time and fined $500.00 for feeding alligators. Florida Fish and Wildlife officers regularly patrol the areas where we will be going, so please do not feed any wildlife or alligators.
Question 16:
Q. Are your tours appropriate for small children?
A. Our tours are educational and exciting for everyone. We enjoy having children on our tours so they can learn about the Everglades and the wildlife that inhabit the area. We strive to offer an exceptional educational experience for children and adults alike.
Each of our tours has different time durations. You might want to consider our Everglades Half-Day Airboat Tour when bringing very young children due to the shorter length of the tour. We will be in areas that are sensitive to wildlife, so silence is more the norm than not. If you do bring children, we ask you to please maintain proper supervision of them at all times.
All guests must remain seated on the bus during the tour while the vehicle is in motion. If you have infants or toddlers, some hotels have childcare services which can be arranged in advance of our tour. All children under twelve years of age require a ticket and a reservation. Children that are three years of age and under are free.
Question 17:
Q. Do I have to wear a seatbelt while the bus is moving?
A. It is advisable to wear a seatbelt at all times while the bus is moving. This is for your protection and safety. We ask that you bring an infant car seat if you have a small child. Please contact us prior to your tour regarding any questions that you might want answered.
Question 18:
Q. What type of wildlife and plant life will we possibly see while on the tour?
A. Florida has numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians along with a diverse plant community. Our bird population changes on a seasonal basis due to migration routes. Some wildlife is nocturnal and only visible during the late evening or night. Wildlife can also be elusive and not readily visible due to their natural camouflage. We ask everyone to keep an eye out for wildlife throughout the day, since this can be an exciting part of the tour.
Question 19:
Q. What type of ecosystems will I see on the tour?
A. You will see coastal habitat, wetland habitat, and upland habitat while on the tour. You will be given information about these habitats and how they impact our area.
Question 20:
Q. Can I pick wildflowers or bring back a sample of plant life with me?
A. Collecting wildflowers and plant life is prohibited on the tour. There are many species which are either endangered or protected both on the state and federal level. We hope that you will take a photograph of what you observe.
Question 21:
Q. Will there be a lot of walking involved on the tour?
A. The tour is rated moderate. You have to be able to enter and exit the bus on your own ability as well as to be able to get on and off a boat. Our bus has three steps to get onto the bus. There is a moderate walk at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The walk is on a level surface, and there are rest stops with benches along the way in case you get tired. We will offer assistance if you require it.
Question 22:
Q. Are there any gift shops to shop at during the tour?
A. The Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary features a Nature Store where you may purchase postcards, books, clothing items, and other souvenirs. Southwest Florida EcoTours is not compensated nor does it receive a percentage from any of the sales in the gift shop. There is a self-serve snack bar and concession area near the gift shop for your convenience. There is also a gift shop at the location where we take an airboat ride and at the location where we will take our boat ride into the Ten Thousand Islands.
Question 23:
Q. Are there any restrooms available during the tour?
A. There are restrooms available at all main locations during the tour. The tour bus does not have a restroom on-board. Please use the restrooms prior to embarking on your tour at each location!
Question 24:
Q. Am I expected to offer the tour guide a gratuity?
A. A gratuity is up to each client’s discretion and it would be appreciated. Our tour prices do not include any gratuities for our tours.
Question 25:
Q. Should I bring my medication if I am under a physician’s order?
A. Yes, you should bring all medications or pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin products), since we will be out most of the day. If you are allergic to any type of insect stings, foods, latex, or medications, which cause anaphylaxis, it will be your responsibility to bring an Epinephrine Auto-Injector. We do not carry one on-board since it is a prescribed medication given under a physician’s order. There is a basic first aid kit on-board the bus for minor emergencies. We do not provide any over-the-counter medications or pain relievers for our guests.
Question 26:
Q. Why is Southwest Florida EcoTours a green-friendly company?
A. Southwest Florida EcoTours is a green-friendly company whose principals extend beyond its doors and into the environment. We believe in recycling all recyclable waste. Our vehicle is environmentally friendly with both fuel consumption and emissions. Southwest Florida EcoTours is committed on being a “green” company both in the office and in the environment. We believe in the preservation of our environment for all future generations and we believe in responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.