Kice Island shelling tour from Naples with naturalist guide

Kice Island and shell bars: learn to spot sand dollars and lightning whelks where the boats go

A four-hour shelling tour from Naples departs daily at 6:30am, 8:30am, or 11:30am to Kice Island and the Ten Thousand Islands, where a Florida Master Naturalist captain teaches you to read the sand and find shells. You'll hunt for sand dollars, lightning whelks, alphabet cones, tulip shells, and on lucky days the rare Junonia, while learning island history and marine life from someone trained to spot what matters. Cooler with ice and shelling bags are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Half-day shelling boat tour

• Depart from Marco Island dock
• Visit Ten Thousand Islands refuge
• See wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins
• Stop at Kice Island for shelling
• Stop at Second Chance Shell Island
• Learn shelling tips from captain

The experience

Kice Island is called the sheller's island for a reason: it's the best place to go shelling in Florida, but you need a boat to reach it. The captain chooses between Kice Island, "Second Chance" Shell Island south of Cape Romano, and Caxambas Pass depending on the tide, time of year, and what the conditions favor that day. You'll learn to read the bars, seams, and wrack lines, the places where shells collect, so every stop feels rewarding instead of random. A Florida Master Naturalist guides the whole tour, weaving in island history and what lives in the water around you.

The boat departs from private commercial docks at 220 Goodland Dr W in Goodland, across from Stan's Idle Hour, with free parking. Departures run at 6:30am, 8:30am, and 11:30am daily. The tour lasts four hours and includes a cooler with ice and complementary shelling bags. You're welcome to bring your own food and drinks (BYOB, though no red wine). The captain also shares gentle reminders about ethics: admire living shells and leave them where they belong, so the islands stay healthy for the next sheller.

What’s included

• Cooler with ice.
• complementary shelling bags.
• parking fees.
• a Florida Master Naturalist guide who teaches shelling technique and shares island history and marine-life insights.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 11:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (under 7)

GroupUp to 6

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Florida Island Tours

Is this one for you?The early departures mean you're on the water by 6:30am or 8:30am, which is when the shelling is best and the islands are quietest. A trade-off that rewards an early start with better shells and fewer crowds.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 7).

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 Kice Island?

Expect sand dollars, lightning whelks, alphabet cones, and tulip shells on most trips. The elusive Junonia appears on lucky days. Your captain will teach you how to spot them by reading the sand patterns and wrack lines where shells collect.

How does the captain choose which island to visit?

The captain picks between Kice Island, "Second Chance" Shell Island, and Caxambas Pass based on the tide, season, and local conditions that day, so you're always going to the best shelling spot available when you depart.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a cooler with ice, complementary shelling bags, and parking at the Goodland dock. You can bring your own food and drinks. BYOB is welcome, though no red wine on the boat.

Will I see dolphins or wildlife out there?

The boat travels through the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, where wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live, and your Master Naturalist captain shares marine-life insights throughout the tour.

What time should I arrive for the early departure?

Departures leave at 6:30am, 8:30am, and 11:30am daily from the private docks at 220 Goodland Dr W in Goodland. Parking is free, so you can arrive a few minutes before your departure time.