Walk a 2.5-mile boardwalk through the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America as the morning mist lifts, guided by a master naturalist. An otherworldly, soul-stirring landscape found nowhere else on Earth.
What to expect
Step onto the boardwalk as dawn breaks and the swamp awakens around you: barred owls calling, wood storks nesting in the canopy, and perhaps a Florida black bear track in the mud below. Centuries-old cypress trees, some more than 500 years old, tower overhead draped in Spanish moss — the scale and silence are humbling. Your Audubon-certified naturalist knows every inch of the trail and can identify birds, reptiles, and rare orchids with quiet expertise. The experience is equal parts wilderness encounter and moving meditation in one of America's most singular landscapes.
Good to know
Located near Naples, FL — approximately 1 hour from Port Everglades or 90 minutes from PortMiami. Arrange private transport; the sanctuary opens at sunrise by special arrangement for guided groups. Pre-book directly with the sanctuary's education department for private guided access. Wear neutral colours, bring insect repellent, and allow 3–4 hours. Keep a buffer of at least 2 hours before all-aboard.