BEST PLACES TO SEE
FLAMINGOS IN FLORIDA

By  Mike Miller Updated June 1, 2023

Everglades National Park is the best place to see flamingos in their natural habitats.  The vast array of Everglades wilderness has an abundance of marshy waters and mangrove islands.

There are several entrances to the park.  My favorite one is in Everglades City.

Snake Bight in Florida Bay has many flamingos.  The best chance of seeing them is from late March to early May.

Flamingo Beach near the end of the road to the Flamingo Visitor Center is also a place you might get a glimpse of flamingos.

Everglades National Park Tour Boat

Busch Gardens was originally founded by Anheuser Busch, the beer company.

It is now owned and operated by Seaworld Parks & Entertainment.  It is a 335 acre animal theme park with an African theme.  

You will find flamingos hanging out in Egypt, Nairobi, and the Bird Gardens.  There are several species:  Lesser, Chilean, and Caribbean.

At the Animal Connections in Nairobi, you can get real close to the flamingos and even kiss them on the beak.

More than 4 million people a year visit the park.  

Discovery Cove is a sister park to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando.  They have a large flock of Caribbean flamingos.

You can take a stroll among these birds and begin to feel like you are one of them.  You can also feed them and wade with them in shallow waters.

They will also take photographs of you, the family, and the flamingos enjoying each other.

Everglades Wonder Gardens is a historic small attraction that was established in 1936. 

It has a 3 acre botanical jungle that is home to many rescued animals.  In addition to flamingos, you will see alligators, turtles, snakes, and many other kinds of birds.

Flamingo Gardens is located west of Fort Lauderdale on a 60 acre tract.  It is a pioneer attraction, having been founded in 1927.

It is home to the Everglades Learning Center and the South Florida Wildlife and Botanical Sanctuary.

The gardens include over 3,000 species of exotic tropical and native plants, and many a tropical botanical garden, and an Everglades wildlife sanctuary with an aviary and zoo.

A popular feature of Flamingo Gardens is the Flamingo Pond.  It is a beautiful area where you can interact with Caribbean flamingos in their natural environment.

You are allowed to feed the flamingos, which is the best way to get to know them.

Joseph Widener brought in the first flock of flamingos from Cuba in 1931 that began breeding in 1934.  They lived in the infield lake at the Hialeah Park race track.

Although the race track has been closed for years there is still a captive breeding population of American flamingos living at the facility.

Flamingos from Hialeah are donated to zoos all over the country.

This historic attraction is located where the Trout River empties into the St. Johns River in north Jacksonville.

It is on 122 acres and has over 1,000 plant species and 2,000 animals.  They have two of the six known species of flamingos: the greater flamingo and the Caribbean flamingo.

The greater flamingos can be as tall as five feet with extra long legs which allows them to wade through deeper waters.

You will be able to interact with juvenile hand-reared flamingos during their training sessions.  These youngsters love to interact with guests.

Three Wading Flamingos
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy features more than 50 different species of butterflies from around the world in a glass enclosed habitat.

You can also see the only flamingos in a Florida Keys attraction. They have a "Flamingle" experience where you can mingle with flamingos.

Their star flamingo attractions are Rhett and Scarlett who have lived here since 2013.  

Visitors sit in a gazebo that overlooks a pond and plantings.  Rhett and Scarlett walk around free and interact with people.

Lion Country Safari in Palm Beach County has been around since 1967 and is one of the earliest cageless zoos in the United States.  The animals roam free while you drive around caged in your car.

The attraction has more than 600 acres and a flock of Caribbean flamingos.  Visitors are allowed to mingle with the birds, feed them, and take photos.

You don't have to stay in your car while you visit with these beautiful birds.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens was established in 1939.  It has over 10 acres of botanical gardens and features bird and animal shows.

Flamingos are one of the most enjoyable attractions in the attraction.  They are allowed to wander around and interact with the guests.

Quite often the birds will come up to you first as if to say hello.  You can feed them with food available in the park.

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