Amazing! That's what it was like to go out at night on Steve's Buggy. Being a photographer and seeing what I did see was great, but most of all feeling right at home with Steve and his family. The star your saying to yourself what stars well, you will see lot of stars on this trip, I did even feel like I was in Florida.....for the most part I don't think I have ever look up at night a seeing so many star like I did last night. Steve Thank you for giving me a great trip can't wait to do it again.......
— Marilyn , Hollywood, Florida
The four of us had an amazing time in Big Cypress. We started early so we could see the wildlife (bug spray is a must!!). We saw deer, turtles and more! Capt. Steve had many stories to tell and great knowledge of the area. We all learned a lot about the history of the park! We went in late May so go early in the morning and avoid the heat of the day! Thanks for a great time!!!!
— Greg Howard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Steve,
Getting out of South Dakota, during a brutal winter is one thing, and going to Florida is another. But actually getting out and actually EXPERIENCING the true magnitude of Big Cypress and the Everglades is one of the best feelings in the world! We would like to extend a big 'Thank you' to you for allowing us to see things that photos could never describe. We had an amazing time and will definately be back! Hope all is well!
— Leighton and Susan Scott, South Dakota
I went on Steve's tour last week and it was AMAZING! There is no better way to see the Everglades than on Steve's Swamp Rod.
— Joe A, Port Washington,NY
Although we are locals, our children & grandsons ages 5 and 11 are not. We couldn't think of a better, safer and fun way for them to see the everglades and learn from a real gladesmen! Our guide Otis was friendly, informative & great with my grandsons. We saw alligators,turkeys,deer & a Big Cypress Fox squirrel which was the highlight of the trip for me. Of course the ride in a swamp buggy was what my grandsons enjoyed most. Being up high enough to see over the prairie and into the hammocks was a real treat. We went in the dry season, so the height let us catch a cool breeze and the buggy cover kept us out of the hot sun.
Otis explained the flora and the fauna, even teaching me a thing or two. We got off the buggy to explore panther tracks and a swamp hunting shack. The weather was beautiful, Otis was wonderful and the area was so peaceful. It was a perfect day.
Thanks Otis!
— Susan Stocker, Naples Florida
Captain Steve is great! He is knowledgeable about the swamp- flora and fauna. He genuinely loves to go out and is enthusiastic about sharing the backcountry with his guests!
It is always a treat to have a native share his perspective on the Preserve, even before it was a Preserve! We got to see some amazing cypress domes, wildlife and different environments. I would highly recommend Steve to anyone visiting the area!
— Alyssa, Ochopee
Dear Steve and the best tour guide ever Stevie,
There may not be enough that I can say to rely the message of how great our tour of the Everglades was with you! From the moment I spoke with you over the phone to the long goodbye at our car, it was amazing!! Your knowledge of the Everglades was both educational and fun!! The bugs and dust are easily forgotten the minute you start to move in your swamp buggy! We felt very confident in your ability and knowledge to keep us safe and have a most wonderful time!! We met you as our tour guide but left as friends!! Anyone who misses this opportunity is truly missing out! We will be back again in August, (I've already started planning.) I can not thank you enough for encouraging us to take an afternoon tour so that we could experience both day and night in the Everglades. The night part of our tour was my favorite. The stars were breath taking! I would highly recommend a night trip to any and everyone! This is what Florida is really about. We choose this vacation over Disney and would do it again without hesitation. Steve and Stevie, we can not wait to see you both again very soon!
— Margaret, Chris and Zac, Port St. Lucie, FL
Wow! It doesn't get any more authentic than this. If you want to see Big Cypress Preserve through the eyes of a native, Captain Steve is the real deal. Check out my Everglades gallery at www.karentbartlett.com
— Karen T. Bartlett, Naples
Dear Steve, My entire family agreed
"This was the Best Day Ever" From the moment I left you a voice mail inquiry to our actual tour through the Cypress Preserve we all felt like we've known you for ever.
I'm from the New England area and you always hear about southern hospitality.
I guess you are who they were talking about. Your abundance of knowledge and love of the preserve made it as much educating as it was adventurous. My husband was whining about not seeing any alligators in Florida, That was until you brought him to the very place you would want to observe them, Their natural home. Steve we all want to say that we miss you and hope to see you the next time were down to visit my sister, who also would love to see you again, this time you come to her place in Fort Myers,
"The Clam Bake" for some real New England Seafood that her husband has perfected and is matched by no other. Call her first so she can have my parents come in to see you again.
Sincerely Audrey Chagnon
— Audrey Chagnon sister of Laurie Thomas, Clam Bake Ft Myers, and family, Fort Myers Florida
Steve, we went out today with you into the absolutely wonderful scenery of the Big Cypress Preserve, and want to thank you for the great time we had. And we will never forget our "National Geographic Moments"! Thanks again, and take care and keep going. Warm regards.
— Jo & Karin., Belgium
BEST TOUR EVER…A+!!Absolutely breath taking! A quick conversation with Captain Steve and I felt I was meeting up with an old friend. I chose Captain Steve for the combination of his knowledge of the area and his personal ability to describe the history associated with this region.
Compared to other tours his price being lower was an added bonus. The tour was an education in its self. Captain Steve took us through the Everglades pointing out the different plants, trees and birds we were seeing, the swamps water system and how the swamp changes with each season, all the while stopping to point out the wildlife that had crossed our path. Panther, Turkey, Deer, Bear prints along our way. Our excitement was building, we were waiting to see one of these creatures at any moment.
As were entering what he called the prairie, two deer darted out in front of our buggy from a large mass of Cypress trees, he called a Cypress Head. The Deer zigzagged across the prairie as we watched amazed by how graceful they were. Next to a shady spot to eat lunch and some hiking.
Words can’t describe the sounds and the smells, the wind through the trees, the owl hooting as we ate our lunch, a clear sunny blue day with puffy white clouds. Mother Nature was showing us her best. It was heaven, so beautiful and peaceful. The day got better as we seen Alligators of all sizes basking in the sun along the rivers edge enjoying the winter sun as we were.
Wow, what a trip! I can’t wait to go back again, my reservations are booked for next year and I will tell everyone I meet that Captain Steve gives the best tour of the Everglades. This is a MUST DO if you want to see the real Everglades the way the locals and natives do. I’m posting pictures of our wonderful day. Thank you Captain Steve you were great!!
As a footnote I would like to add, while we were traveling Captain Steve stops to pick up some trash someone left behind. This showed us a great outdoorsman who cares about the preservation of this great Everglades he knows and loves. Not an average man, NOT an average tour!
— Emil Sulieman, Dubai, UAE
My husband and I took a trip with Captain Steve and we will never forget it. Not only does he know the history
but he was the most considerate host of a tour I have ever encountered. I am a Travel Agent and tell everyone
about Capt. Steve.
— Dawn Barraco, Colorado
I had a friend of mine in from Iowa today and we were driving along and seen one of Captain Steve's buggies along the roadside. So we called him up…Steve was very pleasant to speak with on the phone and told me he could get us on a buggy right away if we wanted…and let me tell you that was exactly what we did. We met up with Captain Willy for his first time out as a guide (we were the test dummies) and wow what an awesome time we had Captain Willy explained so much to us about the glades that I would have never known if not for this adventure. The buggy was awesome the scenery was absolutely beautiful and best of all we had a great time with Captain WillySo if you are thinking of going on a tour in the glades call up Captain Steve you WILL NOT be disappointed, They are great folks with great prices and equipment and they are the best guides you will find. Thanks again Captain Willy and Captain Steve
— Michael Mast, Cape Coral Fl
Those of you who have not met Captain Steve are in for a treat. Our group really enjoyed the swamp buggy experience, and plan to schedule another trip.
Captain Steve has a wealth of stories about the Everglades and its inhabitants... some of these stories may actually be true!!
— David Arch, Oak Brook, IL
I would highly recommend Capt. Steve's to anyone interested in going to big cypress. Our driver Willy took very good care of us. We had a person with a handicap with us in our group and they were awesome about helping him and he really enjoyed this trip. The view was beautiful, and the ride was so much fun. Everyone needs to give this a try!
— Jenna , Michigan
Steve, Thank you for a informative ride.
I live in Florida. I would have never enjoyed the chance to see the great views of the natural Florida. All because of you, I was able to enjoy the trip. I had a friend from Iowa who said he will do it again that was with us. Lots of fun.
— Don Meek, Cape Coral
My family and I had a great time on our trip in to the Everglades. Captain Steve was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot about the history and how the ecosystem works in the Everglades. My wife and daughter got off the swamp buggy and waded in the water. We saw quite a few birds, a few alligators and some deer.
— Timothy Lindstrom and family, Hebron, Indiana
those crabs were soooommmee good caapn'steeve. i loved the buggy. i thought you looked cute ;) i had lots of fun!
— kyle smith, colorodo
Capt.Steve, the swampbuggy ride was an experience of a lifetime! your knowledge and passion for the everglades is heartfelt, the wildlife that we witnessed in their natural, unspoiled surroundings is something that our children will remember for their entire lives and we sincerely thank you for the experience !
God Bless You
Moore family
— kevin moore@ family, southern ohio
My friend and I went on a tour with Captain Steve. We really appreciated all of his hard woork on the tour but really didn't see any animals, one small alligator. We were told it might because the storm Issac had just come through. We enjoyed the ride but were really dissapointed. Steve seems to know his stuff as far as the history and any questions you have he is willing to discuss.
— Diana Tx
what a great time so much better than an airboat went on american airboat tours goodlanf fl (next to stans???) we thought we were going to be killed! ran into another boat and into the bushes without question \\\"swamp buggy steve\\\" is much more fun yet very safe i will tell everyone back home(in the mother country) this is a \\\"dont miss\\\" for your holiday.
— william bowsher, leeds,uk (england)
Just want to say the swamp buggy ride was most interesting, and Captain Steve was wise in the eco system. Our timing was wrong, the season hot & dry, but the ride was made a little bit more fun by young assistant, Stevie. Find out when's a good time to take this ride, you won't be disappointed.
— Wendy Decker, United States
Oh Boy! Yesterday we had an adventure. Went away back in time, before people in Florida. Deep into the Big Cypress on a giant wheeled monster, unimaginable! Yet we rolled along, up and down, 10 feet high with truly a view to die for. What we experinced is hard to convey in words, or even pictures. Capt. Steve showed us what heretofore has only been available to a select few: old time loggers, extreme hikers and adventurous hunters. Prairies like the mid-west; beautiful sub-tropical flora, and fauna had me wearing down the camera battery. This is the real mccoy, a Florida before development.The Capt is a gentleman, most knowledgeable, thoughful. Hold on to your hat, go if you have the guts.
— Chuck Miller, Big Cypress, the Concho Billie Trail!
Been trying to contact you to tell you how much we enjoyed the 11-19-10 Everglades City Ladies Coffee tour yesterday. We have been telling everyone we meet how personable and fun you were, including your buddy, Martha at the Museum of the Everglades.
— Jane Rackley, Everglades City
Members of the Everglades Foundation Staff had the pleasure of taking a night ride with Captain Steve and it was fantastic! A night to remember! Steve is a gracious host and a passionate champion of the Everglades. We are fortunate to have him offering an educational, fun ride with delicious food. What an amazing experience! Thank you Steve!
— Susan Ervin, Miami, FL
Good day Friends, We have started out the season great have got a lot