Flamingo is the southernmost port of call on the Western Florida mainland coastline. Prior to the 2005 hurricane season, it was a reasonably good port of call, even if depths crept up to 4 1/2 to 5 feet at low tide. Then, one of the hurricanes (Wilma, I think) washed tons and tons of sand and mud into the harbor and entrance channel. The marina was completely closed for a long time. It finally reopened and the Everglades National Park (of which Flamingo is a part) dredged, but ONLY to about 3 to 31/2 feet at low water in the entrance channel.
Captains Charlotte and Dennis' report below gives a good picture of what's to be currently found at Flamingo. I do NOT suggest using this port if your draft exceeds 3 1/2 feet! Even then, proceed with the greatest caution!

Subject: Flamingo News
Cruising News: We visited Flamingo in March,2009.  The Park said the channel was dredged, but it must have been minimal as we found no difference from the soundings that we took earlier in the entrance – see our entry below.  Basically in the vicinity of the red nun where you turn right, favor the green side.  Inside the marina basin with our 3.5 ft draft we never touched bottom – we did not take soundings there.  The floating docks are in fine shape.  Some do not have electricity.  Fresh water was fine.
In 2007 we sounded the entrance to Flamingo in canoe with depth sounder  and found that the shallowest area was near floating red mark 14.  If you favor the green (west) side of the channel in this location, the shallowest depth was 3.8 feet corrected for mlw.  We have found similar depths in both 2008 and 2009 (2009 = 4.1 ft corrected for mlw on green side of channel in vicinity of red 14).  The rest of the channel was deeper.  We draw 3.5 ft.  March 2009 the marina at Flamingo said the channel had been dredged but we found it about the same as previous years, although it may be deeper in the actual marina entrance at the end of the channel, where we have always found good water.
This past March, the old concessionaire – Xanterra – had just left the Park and a new one had just taken over.  The motel, condemned after one of the recent hurricanes, was being torn down and the Ranger's station displayed plans for a new hotel, restaurant, pool, new bicycle paths AND a tram that would take you anywhere in the Park from the Flamingo area!!!!  they did not speak specifically about plans for upgrading the marina but you would assume that would occur.  The existing ranger station and attached restaurant building are historical structures and will continue to be used – although the restaurant is closed.
The Ranger activities are still in operation as is the general store which sells gas and diesel and light provisions (for a day of fishing and for the campers and RVers who are "pitched" nearby).  Many small flats boats haul in and out.  There is a back country tour boat and a new boat that goes out into the Bay – the old one having been destroyed by a hurricane.
For Friends of Ivan, the wonderful waiter from the old restaurant, who may be wondering how he is doing –  He left with Xanterra and is now in Death Valley, working in the restaurant.  We do miss him as he lived in Flamingo year round for many  years – an unbelievable achievement in itself.  He was well-loved by those who got to know him.
We have enjoyed ourselves in the past in Flamingo and anxiously await its refurbishing.  When the hotel facilities reopen, I suspect the place will once again be atwitter with serious bird watchers and other nature lovers.  If you take the time to look, Flamingo and the Park have some wonderful nature – to spy on both on bicycle and a-paddling.
The winter months are the best for Flamingo.  The spring (now) the park is overwhelmed by mosqitoes (this winter with little rain we did not suffer 1 bite!).  You must walk in full sun and stay off grass this time of year – a real hardship in the hot sun!
Hope you give Flamingo a try in the future.  You can call them for an update or try the Everglades National Park web site.
Happy exploring!
Charlotte Posey