Buttonwood Canal

The canal runs parallel to Bear Lake road. It is possible to explore the canal in a kayak or canoe where you can see alligators, manatee and hundreds of bird species.

It's best to rent your own boat, then you can sail slowly through the canals, marvel at the wildlife and sometimes go full throttle on the lakes. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. A boating license was not required, but the "Everglades National Park Boater Certificate" is required to rent the boat, an online course with a short exam.
Be sure to have the certificate with you as a PDF on your smartphone or as a printout, otherwise there will be no boat.
The smartphone is offline in Flamingo, so download the certificate or have it with you as a screenshot, or just a printout.