Keewaydin Island Shelling Tour Naples: Private Boat & Beach

Hunt for shells on a 9-mile beach while dolphins pass nearby

A private half-day shelling tour from Naples, Florida departs from a luxury marina near the dolphins and navigates shallow waters to Keewaydin Island, a 9-mile beach where guests search for Junonia shells, alphabet cones, banded tulips and lightning whelks. The boat holds up to six passengers. A live English-speaking guide leads the outing, which includes shelling bags and bottled water. The round-trip boat ride takes about 30 minutes in each direction, passing mangrove channels, native birds and waterfront homes along Port Royal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Keewaydin Island Shelling and Wildlife Viewing

• Depart from luxury marina
• View dolphins, mangroves, and birds
• Enjoy 30-minute boat ride to shelling beaches
• Shell on Keewaydin Island beach
• Relax on sugar sand beach
• Return boat ride to marina

The experience

You board at a marina with free parking close enough to see dolphins in the harbor, then spend roughly 30 minutes cruising through shallow mangrove channels toward Keewaydin Island. The specially designed boat navigates waters too shallow for standard vessels, which is what gets you to the best shelling grounds. Along the way, you'll see dolphins, native birds and the grand houses of Port Royal rising from the water.

Once you reach the island's 9-mile beach, you walk the sand hunting for shells: Junonia and alphabet cones are the prized finds, though banded tulips and lightning whelks show up regularly. The beach has one side protected by the Marco River and the other open to the Gulf, so the conditions and shell deposits shift depending on tide and weather. If shelling isn't your focus, bring a towel and spend the time on the sugar sand instead. The return boat ride mirrors the outbound journey, giving you another half hour to watch the water and wildlife.

The boat caps out at six passengers, so the group stays small and the captain can adjust the route based on what people want to see. If your party is larger, the operator arranges multiple boats so everyone still gets the same experience. Shelling bags and bottled water come with the tour. Infants sit on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• Shelling bags and bottled water.
• free parking at the marina.
• live English-speaking guide.
• boat ride through mangrove channels to Keewaydin Island.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 12:00 and 15:30

Book up to18h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sand Dollar Boat Tours of Naples

Is this one for you?The live English-speaking guide means anyone comfortable following along in English can join. If your group speaks another language primarily, confirm the guide's language before booking, as this tour is led in English only.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What shells can I actually find on Keewaydin Island?

Junonia and alphabet cones are the shells most guests hunt for, though banded tulips and lightning whelks appear regularly on the beach. The island's 9-mile shoreline has two different sides (one protected by the Marco River and one open to the Gulf), so shell deposits vary with tide and weather.

How long is the boat ride to Keewaydin Island?

The ride takes about 30 minutes in each direction as the boat navigates the shallow mangrove channels. You'll see dolphins, native birds and waterfront homes along Port Royal during the journey.

Can I bring my family if we're more than six people?

The boat holds a maximum of six passengers to keep the group intimate. If your party is larger, the operator arranges multiple boats so everyone experiences the same shelling tour and wildlife viewing.

What's included in the tour price?

Shelling bags and bottled water are included. The tour departs from a marina with free parking, and a live English-speaking guide leads the outing. Gratuities for the captain are not included and are always appreciated.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants are required to sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. Service animals are allowed on board.