Marco Island Wildlife & Shelling Tour from Goodland

Mangrove channels, a private beach, and the shells the Gulf coast leaves behind

A two-hour guided boat tour departing from Goodland Boat Park that takes you through the Ten Thousand Islands ecosystem and onto a private beach to search for tropical shells. The tour includes a local guide, bottled water, cooler with ice and shell bags. Everyone ages one and up can join, and the boat is fully shaded. Arrive 30 minutes before departure to sign the electronic waiver.

Step-by-step itinerary

Marco Island Wildlife and Shelling Tour

• Arrive 30 minutes before departure
• Depart from Goodland Boat Park
• Cruise through Ten Thousand Islands
• Learn about local ecology from guides
• Stop at private beach for shelling
• Search for exotic tropical sea shells

The experience

The boat leaves from Goodland Boat Park at 750 Palm Point Dr, a 5-acre park with restrooms and concessions where you can grab sunscreen or food before boarding. Your guide will take you on a scenic cruise through the Ten Thousand Islands, pointing out the ecology of the mangrove ecosystem as you move through the channels. This is the part that keeps both small children and adults engaged, since there is always something to spot and something to learn about how the islands work.

After cruising the mangroves, you'll stop on a private beach to hunt for the exotic tropical shells the Gulf coast is known for. The tour provides shell bags so you can collect what you find, and the fully shaded boat means you're not baking between the two parts of the day. Bottled water and a cooler with ice are included, so you stay hydrated while you're walking the sand and searching.

Infants and small children can bring a stroller or pram, and kid-sized life preservers are available if needed, though anyone under 20 pounds cannot board. Everyone in your party needs a ticket, including toddlers, and you'll sign an electronic waiver on your voucher before you arrive.

What’s included

• Local guide in English.
• bottled water.
• cooler with ice.
• shell bags for collecting your finds.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs Monday to Saturday at 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00, from US$ 99 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00Last departure this season: 31 DecAnother day? ›

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (1 to 10 years)

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 effortStroller-friendly

Operated by Florida Adventures and Rentals

Is this one for you?Families with young children and first-time visitors to Marco Island will find the two-hour length manageable and the shaded boat a real comfort. The guide keeps everyone engaged by explaining what you are seeing, so the cruise is not just sitting and looking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 10 years).

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 is the Ten Thousand Islands ecosystem like?

The Ten Thousand Islands are a network of mangrove-covered islands and channels in the Gulf of Mexico near Marco Island. Your guide will explain the ecology as you cruise through them, pointing out how the mangroves create a unique habitat and what lives in and around them.

How much time do we spend on the private beach looking for shells?

The tour is two hours total, with time split between the mangrove cruise and the beach stop. Your guide will let you know how long you have on the sand to search and collect shells.

Can I bring my toddler on this tour?

Yes, children ages one and up can join. Toddlers need their own ticket, and anyone under 20 pounds cannot board the boat. Strollers and prams are welcome, and infant and kids life preservers are available.

What should I bring or wear?

Bring sunscreen and water shoes or sandals for the beach. The boat is fully shaded, and bottled water is provided, but the sun reflects off the water and sand, so sun protection matters. The park has concessions if you need to pick up anything before departure.

Do I need to arrive early?

Yes, arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. You'll need to sign an electronic waiver on your voucher before boarding, and the Goodland Boat Park has restrooms and concessions if you want to settle in first.

What shells might we find?

The Gulf coast near Marco Island is known for exotic tropical shells. What you find depends on the tide, the season and the beach conditions on the day you go, but your guide will help you spot the best shells and explain what you are looking at.