While planning our route for this upcoming trip, we are considering Shark River Island in the Everglades National Park as a likely overnight anchorage on our way down to the Keys. Imagine, if you will, cruising through a place so remote and wild that even cell phone signals fear to tread. Picture yourself navigating through an ancient swamp, the thrill of adventure tempered only by a chilling awareness: a hand or foot carelessly dangled over the boat’s edge might just become an alligator’s afternoon snack. But hey, look at the bright side: a good excuse for not cleaning dishes hanging over the transom!

And let’s not forget the mosquitoes, those pint-sized vampires of the Everglades, feasting on the blood of innocent sailors who dare venture into their territory. Their appetite knows no bounds, and people say they swarm with the enthusiasm of kids at a candy store.

Now, as we plan our stop in this exciting wilderness, we wonder what bureaucratic hurdles await us. I mean, if we are going to anchor in the park and not set foot ashore, do we still need to purchase an entry pass? The answer seems to be a ‘yes.’ And wait, there is more.

Entrance Fee

First things first, every visitor needs to get an entry pass, even those who sail in and plan to stay on their boats without ever setting foot on land. (Also see the ‘Boating and Entrance Passes’ section at the bottom of the Fee FAQs page of the Everglades National Park.) Think of this permit as your golden ticket to explore these remote waters, which you can easily get online via the National Park Service website. Make sure to have this permit on board, because the last thing you want is a run-in with the park rangers.

As of this writing, the entry fee for a 7-day vehicle/boat pass is $35, which admits the passholder and passengers of a single non-commercial vehicle or vessel. There is also the annual America the Beautiful pass, which is valid at all national parks, including the Everglades, and is priced at $80. Considering we might visit more national parks along the East Coast and take additional land-based trips over the next year, it might be worth investing in this annual interagency pass. And hey, the money—hopefully—goes toward maintaining the national parks. So, it would be money well spent for a good cause!

Boater Education Program

But wait, there is more! The park has recently introduced a mandatory Boater Education Program for anyone operating a powerboat within its marine waters. This free online course covers safety information and tips for protecting the park’s delicate ecosystem. Once you complete the course, you will receive a certificate that you must carry while boating in the park. Hey, that laminator could really come in handy right about now.

The course is surprisingly comprehensive, covering topics like federal and state regulations, shallow water boating strategies, and environmental conditions. It is available in both English and Spanish and takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. And did I mention it is free? There really is no excuse not to take it.

So, here we go. We have got some homework to tackle this weekend, and then it is time to dust off that laminator…