Don’t be put off by the immensity of the 1,506,539-acre Everglades. A 99-mile Wilderness Waterway from Everglades City to Flamingo Island hops along isolated sandy cays before heading inland via mangrove swamps, back bays, and creeks.  If your canoe starts to rock, slap your paddle firmly against the water. This usually scares off alligators and those doe-eyed West Indian manatees. Everglades National Park rangers lead four-hour guided canoe trips on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays through mi-April from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City. Guided overnight camping trips are led by North American Canoe Tours, also located in Everglades City.