Capt. Sterling's Everglades Tour — Local services in Key Largo

My wife and I went on this tour around the same time last year and absolutely loved it. We liked it so much that we wanted to come back this year with our families. I booked the tour over a month ago and I was told that I could not have seven people on the boat due to coat guard regulations. I totally understood that and advised I would like to break my group up with 4 on one boat and 3 on the other. I was told we were the first to book for that day and it would not be a problem. I wanted to experience this with my parents and sister and my wife could be with her parents. My parents have never been to the ocean before and I wanted to have that experience with them.

We show up for the tour this morning and was advised we either had to have 1 or 2 people with another group of 4. The rest of my group would be on our own boat. I advised then that I specifically asked our 7 people to be a group of 3 and 4 and I was advised they would not break up the other group of 4 and that was the only option we had. He quickly took My money and stated I could call the office but it was apparent they would not change their minds on this. My parents volunteered to go with the other group and insisted it was ok. It ,however, was not ok for me even though I really enjoy this tour I would not have done it again if it was not for the reason of experiencing it with my parents. Since we were booked first the group if 4 should have had the option to either split their group into two groups of 2 and been told they could not accommodate 4 together.

I called the office to complain and all he wanted to do was try ask repeatedly how he could "make it right with me"....there is absolutely nothing you can do to make up for missing out on something I was looking forward to. We have an entire week planned and I'll make other memories but this left me highly disappointed with how they treated a REPEAT CUSTOMER!!

I will say the captains do a good job and showed us plenty of wildlife including dolphins and manatees.....however, it was hard for me to enjoy it because I was so upset. Just very poor...

Embarking on Captain Sterling's Everglades Adventure was the highlight of my trip to the Keys! We visited for a 2-hour eco-tour around noon on a weekday in May, led by the exceptional Captain Tony. From the outset, Captain Tony's warmth and expertise shone through as he sat down with us to discuss our expectations, ensuring a tailor-made experience.

Throughout the tour, Captain Tony's passion for the Everglades was palpable. He seamlessly intertwined fascinating Florida Keys history, geological insights, and ecological education, captivating us with stories of fossils, local wildlife, red mangrove anatomy, and enchanting local lore. His genuine love for the region was evident in every detail, from his engaging narration to his respectful silence in residential areas, demonstrating a deep reverence for both the environment and the community.

What truly sets this tour apart is its intimate, semi-private nature. With a maximum tour size of six people, we had the privilege of getting to know Captain Tony personally, allowing for a truly customized and immersive experience. Despite visiting during the off-season for manatees, Captain Tony went above and beyond to search for these gentle giants, even though the low chances of spotting them (note he had forewarned us about the possibility beforehand). We ultimately couldn't find any, yet Captain Tony's dedication and transparency throughout the search exemplified his commitment to providing an authentic and fulfilling experience.

Beyond the tour itself, Captain Tony's thoughtfulness extended to providing us with a comprehensive list of recommendations for activities and dining throughout the Keys. This invaluable resource, complete with hidden gems and affordable suggestions organized by area, elevated our entire trip, transforming it into a memorable road trip adventure.

Whether you're a family, couple, or solo traveler seeking a unique and authentic escape from the crowds, Captain Sterling's Everglades Adventure is an absolute must-do. Thank you, Captain Tony, for an experience that exceeded all expectations and left a...

My father and I went to Captain Sterling's Everglades Tour today and were severely disappointed. First impressions when we showed up were poor due to the condition of the boat and pvc pipe chairs onboard. The captain showed up early to fuel up the boat and was extremely awkward. We were standing right by his boat trying to make eye contact with him and he walked straight by without a word. The rest of the groups showed up and we found that there was an issue. They have 2 boats for a maximum of 12 passengers. We booked yesterday when there was no one else signed up and showed up today to find we were full, which isn't a problem. The problem was that the captain had neglected to think about group sizes and the fact that families on their Christmas vacations would not want to be split up for the tour. Of our 12 people, there was a group of 5, a group of 3, and two groups of 2. If you do the math, you'll find that there is no way to break those groups into equal groups of six, something they should have thought of. No other groups were willing to split up and the capt said we needed to. We walked out and went Jet skiing instead and...