During January 2016 we booked a private tour of the Everglades and Miami with The Miami Tour Company. Read our account of the day.
For New Year we travelled from the UK to Miami for a Cruise on the Allure of the Seas. On departure day we were left with the common problem for late evening flights….
Just exactly what do we do for the day?
Sitting in an airport for 10 hours with young children was not really a viable option & was therefore dismissed.
Royal Caribbean sell half day tours including airport transfers but are directed at early afternoon flights. For 7 these also work out very expensive.
Considering alternative solutions we remembered a Day Tour we went on organised by the Miami Tour Company 2 years earlier.
We went on a Miami Harbour and Everglades Tour. We remembered having a fantastic day out. Recollecting that they advertised Private Tours on their website I contacted the company by email to find out more.
We got a response from a lady called Monica who discussed solutions and priced up what appeared to be a reasonably priced all-inclusive tour. The private tour would include Miami & the Everglades including an Airboat ride.
We would be picked up our own private minibus from Port Everglades. The tour would finish at Miami Airport.
Based on our previous experience and many good reviews on Trip Advisor we proceeded with booking without further shopping around.
Miami Tour Company was founded in 2002 by Guy & Michelle Moore. According to their website they transport over 35,000 passengers each year. They offer a selection of tours throughout the Miami area.
Although we had some anxiety on the day our fears were soon gone.
A quick phone call and we were met by our Guide & Driver for the day Geoffrey.
Geoffrey is an experienced tour guide and a larger than life character. He was courteous and helpful throughout the day scheduling restroom stops and meal breaks as we required. He soon picked up our tiredness from the exhausting New Year Cruise and tailored the tour to suit.
Our bus for the day was comfortable but perhaps a little tired inside. It comfortably carried all our luggage for our journey home. Pre-recorded audio commentary was available when Geoffrey required but he supplemented this with his own expert knowledge.
The Miami Tour Company usual daily tours do come with an excellent prerecorded commentary. All tours are inclusive of gratuity & plenty of bottled water. However; we did give Geoffrey a little extra tip.
In the morning we toured Miami with Geoffrey providing a bespoke tour between Fort Lauderdale and the City. We visited the Art Deco Area, Miami Beach, Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, the Holocaust Memorial, Little Havana and various other sites.
Geoffrey also made a detour to drive past the Savoy Hotel in Miami Beach where we stayed previously.
Following lunch; at McDonalds; it was off to the Everglades and a trip on an Airboat. As part of this we also visited a wildlife park.
At the wildlife park we saw several demonstrations including alligators which were not really my cup of tea.
When on the Airboat; after a week of perfect weather; an extreme shower started which did lower the enjoyment of the experience.
However; an experience it was and a perfect ending to a perfect day. Riding an airboat is something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Miami.
Airboat Ride Video
Geoffrey then took us to the airport dropping us off outside the terminal at the exact scheduled time. We said our goodbyes and checked in for our long journey home.
In summary an excellent trip which I would recommend any groups who have a long break prior to their flights home.
