Shark Valley Tram Tours — Attraction in Doral

Tram mismanaged. The ranger conducted it like a school class. We stopped at inconspicuous places 3 times for about 10 minutes each to discuss trees which could have been discussed during the route. Then when we did see animals there was no longer time to stop. People on the train were shouting that there's alligators and birds, left and right. We only stopped for 3 alligators and a couple birds. Every stop turned into a long lecture once again. People come here to see the animals, not to be impressed by somebody's doctoral thesis knowledge. I understand that rangers are frustrated because after everything they've studied the job is about telling people not to get too close to the animals. The ranger said that the driver was also a spotter, but he missed animals left and right. The only time he seemed to notice an animal was when a snapping turtle was in the road. Rather than the ranger moving the snapping turtle by picking it up right in front of the back legs, the driver shooed the turtle with a stick, which made the turtle defend itself. I had chosen this place because the guides from the airboats pick up an alligator to wrestle with it to amuse the crowds. The ranger repeatedly said that we cannot stop for every animal due to time restraints. There was no restraint on stopping for large periods of time to give classroom lectures. A complete failure to understand their people, and the driver who clearly had no feeling for animals is completely unacceptable for a National Park. Having come all this way and seen next to nothing, I asked one of the volunteers where I could see the animals I came for. I was sent to Long Loop Road outside of the park and got better pictures in 10 minutes there. That is a residential street and unfortunately I had to endure children throwing rocks at an alligator, just sunning at the side of a bank and their parent that could care less and threatened me. I guess this park would be better on a bicycle because then you can stop when you want to. But you can see the same animals on Long Loop Road. The constant song about how we have no time, they should charge $10 more and do the tour for 3 hours and/or learn how to cater to their clients and manage time. I am giving 2 stars, one for the animals and one for the lovely people that volunteer and the ones who work in the gift shop selling...

With my first trip to Florida everyone said that I had to check out the alligators. With some not liking boats, the tram was the way to go.

Arriving at the location, timing is important. Go early otherwise parking is an issue. At 10:30am cars were already turning around, parking on the streets, etc. We were already at 1 out, 1 in so it was a little slow getting in.

The park is nice to see pulling up. You can already see the alligators and birds all over. You will be paying $25 for parking, so you are aware.

Inside the visits center, half the building is for the tram tour company and the other half is for the visitor center. The building is nice, people are informative, the gift shop is well stocked, and everything is clean.

The tour started a little earlier as they had a presentation before the actual tour, so arrive early. Our guide was Carmen and driver was Gabriel. The other two in our party had been on the tour before so their first impression was that Carmen was going to be fun and that this was going to be better than the last one they were on.

Carmen had been here I believe a couple years and you can tell that she had a passion for the area, the ecosystem and her job. The tour lasts two hours and takes you through the park. Random stops (not leaving the tram) for photos of various alligators, birds, and other objects during the tour. The tour does stop at the tower for 15 minutes, which I feel is not enough time. By the time you run out to the tower you have to run back. There are bathrooms at the tower but if you have to go you will miss the tower.

Carmen’s knowledge on the area is better than the National Park Rangers. I had asked a couple questions of the ranger and one was something on the alligator babies. The ranger said that by now the young would have been grown up and you would never see any babies. I showed her a photo from the tour where we had seen babies and she was a little shocked. This really reflected on the knowledge of the rangers versus the tour guides.

Bring water, tip your guide and have fun. Since I have went on a tour I would love to bike the path.

My only recommendation is to allow for more time at the tower but then the tour would have to...

I live in South Florida and visit Shark Valley a lot. However, this is the very first time I took the tram tour (don't know what took me so long!)

Bethany was our driver on the tour and Amanda was the narrator. Both were exceptional tour guides. Amanda was extremely knowledgeable about the Everglades, Alligators, Birds, Crocodiles, Plants, Water, and invasive species. I learned quite a bit despite having visited the Everglades many times.

We went on Valentine's Day 2023 and alligators were out in full force. We stopped quite often to seen them very near to the roadway - just lounging in the warm sun. We even saw a nest with a mama with a baby on her head, and surrounded by several babies (see my photos). We saw herons, great and small, plenty of egrets, and EVEN got a great sighting of an American crocodile - that was super exciting. Bethany was very good about stopping for photo ops, then pulling up a little so the back of the tram could also get ops - she was great. And, I can't say enough about Amanda's knowledge and sense of humor.

The icing on the cake is the amazing view from the tower!! It was a clear, beautiful South Florida day and we could see what seemed like the entire Glades - it was wonderful.

The cost was ($30 for adults; $23 for senior citizens) and the tram tour took exactly 2 hours. The seats were comfortable and the open air blowing in your face was great. The trams are covered and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the tours. I don't know what took me so long to take one. It's a long walk to the tower so the tram is the way to go.

A recommendation. I find that wildlife is mostly out (especially birds) in the mornings foraging for food. We had a noon tour and we saw LOTS of alligators, so my theory may be wrong. But, if you get there early, you have a much easier time parking. The parking lot is big, but fills up quick. It was...