10,000 Islands Dolphin & Shelling Tour: Small-Group Experience

Experience the best value tour in the 10,000 Islands Dolphin & Shelling Tour. Explore untouched islands, learn about shell animals, and enjoy a hands-on experience for all ages.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Marco Island - While shelling remote island beaches, Marco Island will be in the background.
  • Gulf of Mexico - Shelling the uninhabited barrier island beaches of the 10,000 Islands overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Stunning views
  • TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NWR - The 10,000 Islands Excursion is the best way to experience the natural world around Marco Island. Conducted within the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge, you will experience what many describe as, “The Best of Florida”.

The tour is a two-part experience. The first part is a slow, intimate boating tour amongst the remote islands of the Ten Thousand Islands. While you search for dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, you may encounter ospreys, bald eagles, ibis, roseate spoonbill, egrets, herons and any number of shorebird species. All the while, your formally trained Florida Master Naturalist guide will talk to you about the area’s ecosystems, it’s long history and rich culture. The second part of your excursion is an exploration of a remote barrier island beach … an island that you only can reach by boat … an island that few get to experience. Learn about beach dynamics; stroll through the tidal flats and wade the tidal pools of these remote islands.

What's Included
  • See an amazing variety of birds and wildlife
  • Guided by a Florida Master Naturalist
  • Enjoy great photo opportunities on a stable boat
  • Explore an uninhabited barrier island on an eco-tour
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Our best value tour. Imagine shelling on islands that are NOT picked over daily by 100’s of people. With your naturalist guide, learn not only about individual shell animals, but learn “how to” shell from our Shelling Guru. This is an excellent “hands-on” experience for the young and old alike. Your naturalist guide will facilitate parents and grandparents wanting to be the educators.

This is not a typical preprogrammed tour. Every day and every tour can be different, so be sure to discuss with your guide the possibilities. This tour is approximately 3.5 hours in duration and departs twice daily at 8:30 and 1:30. Advanced reservations are required. Don’t forget your cameras!

Note: June through October, we suggest the morning experiences due to the weather.

  • Please arrive 20-25 minutes before departure to park and use the bathroom facilities. The tour boards 5 minute before the departure time.
Location
Marco Island Boat Tours
Palm Point Drive
This the Goodland Boat Park. Your phone's GPS will take you there. Please meet your captain under the covered picnic table pavillion. It is to the left of the Marina office as you are face the office.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(69 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Christa_w
Jul 3, 2024
Great time! - Captain Joe and Kim were excellent navigators and story tellers! They explained the ecosystem and its history. We found plenty of cool shells to add to our collection. I’d highly recommend them to anyone looking for a neat family friendly adventure! Thanks Chief
Review provided by Viator
F9295xschristinew
May 10, 2024
Magical Experience - Kate was a terrific guide -- we enjoyed the boatride, the shelling and frolicking with the dolphins! We even saw a shy Manatee!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen
Apr 12, 2024
Great shelling tour! - Captain Kevin was outstanding! We were just two couples on our shelling tour. First we observed dolphins feeding near shore, and then we moved on to a small, shell filled island all to ourselves. There was an abundance of fighting conch, live horse conch, tulips, figs, snails, whelk, scallop, pen shells, horseshoe crab, and alphabet cones. The other couple on this tour found a junonia in the water. I can't wait to come back next year and look for more shell treasures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolinedn4266hm
Mar 30, 2024
Loved the 10k Islands! - Captain Kevin was great! My children & I enjoyed seeing the birds, dolphins, & the wonderful shelling. 3.5 hrs flew by so definitely go out for at least that long.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_s
Mar 20, 2024
This trip is a must! - This is our second time going and it was great!! We saw a ton of dolphins and saw two different islands from last time. We found lots of sponges and sand dollars. We learned a lot about the dolphins and birds. Highly recommend this trip to anyone.
Review provided by Viator
Andrew
Nov 21, 2023
Wildlife and Shelling trip - Awesome day out, wildlife on the trip is spectacular, shelling was great, Csptain Nik was fab, highlight of the trip where the Dolphins surfing behind the boat, highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_s
Nov 15, 2023
Best day! - We had the best day!! Kate was extremely knowledgeable and so nice! I got the best shells EVER!! We had the perfect weather. I think I smiled the entire time! We will definitely be back!!! Highly recommend to all!
Review provided by Viator
Tayler_g
Oct 17, 2023
Best Tour Ever - This was by far the best tour we took while in Florida. The guy that took us on the tour was very nice and made sure we had a great time. We first went to the secluded beach that had the most gorgeous shells that we could take with us. He helped us find rare shells and knew a lot about them. Next he took us out to where he saw a dolphin the day before and we saw a Manatee and 3 dolphins. He got 2 of the dolphins to be very playful and they dived out of the water multiple times and we got great pictures. He was very informative about all the islands and answered all our questions. I definitely suggest everyone take this tour you won't regret it. We had the best time.
Review provided by Viator
Aleobert
Jun 14, 2023
GREAT!!! - It was a great experience, our captain/guide so nice and kind, she explained us everything about Marco and ten thousand islands. We recommend the tour!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_o
Jul 3, 2024
Horrible - They cancelled the afternoon tour because they said of afternoon storms. But there were many couples we met that went on afternoon tours with different companies and had a blast. They were not at all timely with their communication when I tried to reschedule. I strongly advise anyone to choose a different tour. There are many to choose from.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 6 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today