Private Shelling & Dolphin Tour: 10,000 Islands Marco

Hunt shells on the beaches where dolphins swim past mangroves.

A private shelling and dolphin tour in the 10,000 Islands Marco with a live English-speaking guide, limited to six passengers per boat. You navigate shallow waters to Kice Island, Dickmans and Cape Romano (the top shelling beaches in the region), while watching dolphins, mangroves and native birds along the way. Bottled water is included. The tour runs three hours from a marina with free parking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Shelling and dolphin watching tour

• See dolphins, mangroves, and birds
• Travel to shelling beaches
• Shell hunt at Kice, Dickmans, Cape Romano

The experience

The boat leaves from a luxury marina close to the dolphins and heads into shallow waters most vessels can't reach. Your guide teaches you what shells to look for as you work the beaches at Kice Island, Dickmans and Cape Romano, where the best shelling in Southwest Florida happens. The shallow draft of the specially designed boats means you get access to spots other tours skip, and the guide stays with you the whole time to help you find the shells everyone hunts for.

Between shelling stops, you watch dolphins, mangroves and birds native to the area as the boat moves through the 10,000 Islands. The tour holds at six passengers, so the day stays intimate and the guide can focus on what each person wants to see. If your group is larger, multiple boats can run at the same time so nobody gets left behind.

Bottled water comes with the tour. The whole experience runs three hours, and you start and finish at the marina, which has free parking right there. Bring a bag for shells and wear shoes that can get wet.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• live English-speaking guide.
• access to shallow-water shelling beaches at Kice Island, Dickmans and Cape Romano.
• dolphin and wildlife viewing as you navigate the 10,000 Islands.
• free parking at the marina.

Options for this experience

3 options

Three-hour eco-tour of the 10,000 Island featuring shelling and dolphin watchingUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00 and 11:30

4 Hour OptionUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00Four hours in total: add an extra hour, take the 7 am early morning adventure, or relax a little longer on the beach.

Island Hopper for 19 passengersUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00 and 11:30The Island Hopper is a USCG-inspected vessel built for bigger groups (7 or more), with 39½-inch rails all the way around and comfortable seating.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 07:00, 08:00 and 11:30, from US$ 675 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00 and 11:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate9 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to18h before

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sand Dollar Boat Tours of Naples

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want the guide's full attention while shelling and the flexibility to spend more time at whichever beach your group prefers: six passengers means the boat moves at your pace, not a schedule.

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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 will I actually find at Kice Island, Dickmans and Cape Romano?

Kice Island, Dickmans and Cape Romano hold the best shelling in Southwest Florida, and your guide teaches you what to look for and helps you spot the shells that are hardest to find. The guide knows which species are in season and where to hunt them on each beach.

Will I see dolphins on this tour?

Dolphins are common in the 10,000 Islands, and you'll see them as the boat navigates through the area on the way to the shelling beaches. Mangroves and native birds are also part of the route.

How many people will be on the boat with me?

The boat is limited to six passengers, keeping the group small and the guide able to work with everyone. If you're traveling with a larger party, multiple boats can run at the same time.

Do I need experience shelling to book this tour?

No experience is necessary. The guide teaches you what to look for and helps you find shells throughout the three hours. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants can sit on an adult's lap.

What's included in the price?

Bottled water is included. The tour covers the boat, the guide, access to the shelling beaches and three hours of time on the water. Gratuities for the captain are not included and are always appreciated.