A sunset motorboat tour, seated in a padded deck chair while sipping a cup of champagne, is the way to view the wildlife and scenery of the upper Keys, according to Capt. Sterling Kennedy. </p><p>Brandon Jannarone, kayak instructor and guide, thinks you should view them under your own power, right down on the water level, in a kayak. </p><p>Capt. Lain Goodwin prefers to motor further into the bay, get a little fishing in along the way, and then check out Keys and Everglades wildlife and scenery. </p><p>They all agree, however, that the best way to experience the Florida Keys is to get out on the water. </p><p><b>Sit back and relax</b></p><p>The Savino family relaxed in cushioned deck chairs as Capt. Dave Kay of Capt. Sterling’s Everglades Eco Tours, ferried them around Tarpon Basin in a pontoon boat, pointing out an osprey nest, points of interest on the shore, and the boundaries of Everglades National Park. </p><p>Mom Susan said not to expect a smile from 10-year-old Andrew, but about 10 minutes into the cruise he was grinning ear to ear as he spotted a pelican flying at low altitude off the bow. Dad Carl stood up and eagerly searched the waters of a canal for signs of manatees swimming below.</p><p>The suburban Virginia family was on an 11&#8260;2-hour ecotour leaving from Dolphin Cove in Key Largo. Capt. Dave gave a running commentary of Keys history, local lore and wildlife facts while navigating a Key Largo canal where they spotted several manatees and exchanged pleasantries with folks living along that canal. </p><p>Across the basin, they entered Everglades National Park and slowly motored up a narrow channel looking for sea birds, fish, and other wildlife. Several twists and turns later, they entered a beautiful passage known as Hemingway Pass. Capt. Dave popped open a bottle of champagne and poured cups all around as the sun set. </p><p>The tour continued on into Blackwater Sound, and then back home in the early twilight, as a crescent moon and one star appeared in the sky. </p><p><b>Paddle power</b></p><p>Marie-Annick and Vad Vadim gently dipped their paddles into the calm morning waters in one of the narrow, winding, waterways of North Sound Creek. Their guide, Brandon Jannarone, identified the cry they heard as that of an osprey. The osprey soon flew into sight clenching a fish in its talons. Next, they spotted a sea turtle swimming just below the surface, next a kingfisher flew by at low altitude. Around another bend, dozens of small silver fish jumped out of the water in unison. </p><p>The couple, who live in London, said they really enjoyed their three-hour kayak tour. Jannarone, of Florida Bay Outfitters in Key Largo, led them from Garden Cove through the tiny, twisting, mangrove-lined channels of North Creek, out into Largo Sound.They crossed the sound, then traveled through Adams Cut, and finally out into Blackwater Sound. </p><p>Jannarone says he is passionate about his love of Keys waterways and wants his customers to experience as much of the natural scenery and wildlife as they can on his tours, and hopefully get hooked on kayaking. </p><p>He says he tailors the length and the route of his trips according to the fitness level and stamina of the customer. </p><p>“Anyone can take a tour by kayak,” he says.</p><p><b>Change in emphasis</b></p><p>Aside from the usual information about chartering their boats for fishing trips, the Key Largo Fishing Guides Association <a href="http://www.SportFishingKeyLargo.com"target=_"blank">Web site</a> now prominently lists sightseeing tours and Everglades bird watching.</p><p>Capt. Lain Goodwin, a knowledgeable and experienced fishing guide, finds that many of his customers also want a guided tour to see some of the remote islands and the wildlife of the Everglades. </p><p>During a day charter on his 22-foot Shearwater bay boat powered by a 250 hp engine, he can take up to four customers as far out into Florida Bay as Flamingo and the Cape of Florida. They regularly spot rare roseate spoonbills and flocks of wintering white pelicans.</p><p>Goodwin says he prides himself on keeping children entertained on family trips so that their parents can relax and enjoy fishing or sightseeing.</p><p>No matter whether you prefer to tour under your own power, take a seat on a group tour, or charter your own boat with captain/guide for the day, there are many options to get out and explore the waterways and wildlife of the Upper Keys.