Things to do in Naples, Florida
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Naples Manatee & Everglades Boat Tour: Wildlife SightingsYou board a small covered boat with polarized sunglasses and a camera lens adapter already in hand, spend 90 minutes watching manatees approach from the water while your Coast Guard captain narrates, and identify birds from a provided card. The tour runs every 45 minutes daily from Naples, includes parking, and manatees surface 90% of the time—which is why the same people book it year after year.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see manatees without arranging your own boat or timing—the daily departures every 45 minutes and the 90% sighting rate mean you can show up and be on the water within an hour, and the small boat size keeps the experience calm and close.
Marco Island Pedal Kayak Tour: Wildlife Without the Paddle StrainA two-hour pedal kayak tour of Marco Island's mangroves, wildlife and natural habitats led by a live guide in English or Spanish. You pedal instead of paddle, which means no arm strain and no need to rest mid-tour. Children from age five are welcome; the tour includes the kayak, life jacket, briefing and photos.Is it for me?Choose this shared group tour if you want a guide to locate wildlife and explain what you're seeing, and prefer pedal kayaks (no paddling strain) over traditional kayaks for a two-hour outing.
Marco Island Wildlife & Shelling Tour from GoodlandA 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.Is it for me?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.
Naples: 90-Minute Gulf Cruise & Port Royal MansionsYou board at Tin City, cruise the Gordon River and Gulf for ninety minutes while the captain narrates Naples history and points out Port Royal's exclusive waterfront estates. The boat lets you move freely for photos and views, and includes onboard restrooms and snack service. You return to Tin City with free parking already covered and the option to shop or eat before heading out, or cancel up to 2 hours before if plans change.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see Port Royal's waterfront estates and Gulf wildlife without arranging your own boat or spending a full day on the water. The 90 minutes is long enough to reach the Gulf and back, short enough to fit between other plans or combine with shopping and dining at Tin City afterward.
Dolphin and Shelling Cruise: Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife TourA 2.5-hour guided cruise through the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge takes up to 12 travelers through mangrove channels to spot dolphins, manatees and coastal birds, then lands on a secluded barrier island for shelling and exploration. Your captain provides live commentary on the area's wildlife, history and ecology. The tour includes bottled water and operates in most weather; dress for conditions and plan for moderate physical activity boarding and exploring the island.Is it for me?At 2.5 hours, this tour fits into a half-day without consuming your whole afternoon, leaving time for lunch or another activity in Marco Island. The small-group limit keeps the boat nimble through narrow mangrove channels and the island uncrowded, so you're not jostling for shells or competing for the captain's attention.
Naples Kayak Tour: Manatees & Mangrove TunnelsYou paddle through salt marsh and mangrove tunnels in the 10,000 Islands, with a guide who knows the tides and the wildlife. Manatees gather in the Faka-Union Canal during winter; alligators and wading birds are year-round. The shuttle handles the logistics, and you paddle back to the marina on a four-mile downwind route. The whole experience takes three to three and a half hours.Is it for me?Right for paddlers who want to see manatees and navigate mangrove tunnels without arranging their own tidal research or access permits — the guide's planning and the refuge permit are what make this route possible at all.
Operate Your Own Catamaran: 10,000 Islands Self-Guided TourA catamaran tour of the 10,000 Islands where you operate your own 2-person boat through winding waterways while a guide leads the group and handles instruction. The tour runs 1.5 to 2.5 hours and includes a safety briefing, all USCG-required equipment, and a cooler with bottled water and ice. Wildlife and marine life sightings are likely at a closeness most boat tours don't offer.Is it for me?You're steering the boat yourself, not watching from a passenger seat, so this tour suits anyone who wants to be active on the water rather than passive. The guide leads and stays close, which works for first-time boaters as well as experienced ones—you get the control without the navigation responsibility.
Bonita Springs: Clear Kayak & SUP EcoTour with PhotosYou’ll paddle clear kayaks or SUPs through Bonita Springs’ mangroves with a local guide, spotting dolphins and birds along hidden trails. Stop at quiet island beaches for shelling and photos before gliding back as the light changes over Estero Bay. It’s relaxed and friendly—just bring your curiosity (and maybe a hat that won’t blow away).
Naples & Marco: Mangrove Kayak Tour with Biologist GuidesYou’ll paddle single kayaks through Rookery Bay’s winding mangrove tunnels alongside real biologist guides from Naples or Marco Island. Expect close-up wildlife moments (think dolphins or giant snails), free HD photos of your adventure, and included entry to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center after your tour. You might leave salty, tired—and oddly connected to this wild corner of Florida.
Naples Catamaran Sunset Cruise & Shelling with DrinksYou board the Cool Beans catamaran in Naples and sail into Rookery Bay with a small group, watching for dolphins and birds while the crew handles the sails. Drinks—beer, wine, soda, and champagne at sunset—come included. The 2-hour cruise ends as the sun drops; the day-sail option adds a swim and shelling stop. No need to arrange drinks or worry about the sailing; you just show up and watch the water change color.Is it for me?Book this if you want to be on the water at sunset without arranging drinks, managing a group, or worrying about the sailing—the crew handles all of it, and the champagne comes with the ticket.
Marco Island Dolphin Sightseeing Tour from GoodlandA 2-hour dolphin sightseeing tour departing from Goodland Boat Park into the 10,000 Islands, with a local guide who teaches you about the mangrove maze and identifies shorebirds along the way. Bottled water and cooler with ice are included; everyone ages 0+ (minimum 20 lbs) can ride, and a life preserver is available for children. Arrive 30 minutes before departure and sign the electronic waiver on your voucher before boarding.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want dolphins guaranteed and a guide who knows the mangrove waterways—the captain's knowledge of where to find them and what lives in the islands is what makes the 2 hours count. Bring children ages 0+ (minimum 20 lbs) without worrying about life jackets or water, since both are provided.
Marco Island: 2-Hour Dolphin & Shelling Tour with NaturalistYou'll spend two hours on a naturalist-led boat tour through the Ten Thousand Islands, searching for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and wading birds, then land on a barrier island to collect shells and learn about coastal ecology. The guide is a Florida Master Naturalist, the captain and safety gear are included, and you get bags to keep your finds. Morning departures are recommended June through October.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see dolphins and wading birds without spending a full day on the water, and you'd rather have a naturalist explain what's happening than figure it out yourself — two hours is enough to feel like you've entered a different world without the commitment of a longer excursion.
Naples Sunset Cruise: Gulf of Mexico & Port Royal MansionsYou board the Double Sunshine at Tin City, cruise the Gordon River and Gulf of Mexico for 90 minutes while a captain narrates the history and points out dolphins, manatees and Port Royal's millionaire estates. The boat is wheelchair-accessible, parking is free, and you return to Tin City with time to shop or eat before heading out. Children under 15 need a guardian; minimum drinking age is 21.Is it for me?Book this if you want a structured evening on the water without arranging your own boat or timing—the fixed departure one hour before sunset is what lets you plan the rest of your night around it.
Bonita Springs: Hobie Kayak EcoTour & Private Shelling BeachYou’ll pedal through Bonita Springs’ winding estuaries on premium Hobie kayaks with a local guide who knows every twist of the mangroves. Expect close-up wildlife moments, a stop at a private shelling beach (shell bag included), and candid photos to remember it all by. There’s something quietly joyful about gliding under those tangled roots—you might find yourself wanting to linger longer than planned.
Everglades: Small Group Motorboat Eco Tour & Island StopYou’ll ride a small motorboat through Chokoloskee Bay with a local guide, spotting dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and birds along the way. Step onto an island to hunt for shells or maybe even Calusa relics before drifting back past historic Smallwood’s Store. Expect real Florida air in your lungs — plus snacks and bottled water to keep you going.
Private Shelling and Dolphin Tour: 10,000 Islands, FloridaA private shelling and dolphin tour through Florida's 10,000 Islands lets you watch wild dolphins up close and gather shells on secluded barrier islands, with a live guide explaining the mangrove ecosystem and local history. The 2.5-hour trip includes buckets, bags, bottled water and ice; you choose between daily or sunset departures.Is it for me?Book the daily excursion if you want the full afternoon to explore and collect without time pressure, or choose the sunset departure if you prefer to experience the islands in evening light and end your day on the water.
Naples: Keewaydin Island Eco Shelling Cruise & Wildlife TourYou’ll drift along Naples’ Gordon River spotting dolphins and birds before landing on Keewaydin Island for shell collecting or just soaking up the quiet beach vibe. With an easygoing local captain guiding you and time to wander barefoot in soft sand, this eco shelling cruise feels less like a tour and more like borrowing someone else’s favorite spot for an afternoon.
Everglades: Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour with Naturalist GuideYou’ll paddle through twisting mangrove tunnels in the Everglades with a naturalist guide who knows every bird and ripple. Expect quiet moments broken by bird calls, glimpses of wildlife like herons or even alligators, and time to just float beneath the green canopy—kayak gear and safety briefing included.
Rookery Bay: Kayak Mangrove Tour with Wildlife & PhotosYou’ll slip quietly through Rookery Bay’s mangrove tunnels by kayak with a local biologist as your guide, spotting birds and maybe dolphins while learning about this rare estuary. All skill levels are welcome—kids too—and you’ll get photos from your trip to remember those moments when everything felt still.
Naples: Clear Kayak Mangrove Tour & Wildlife in Wiggins PassYou’ll paddle a clear kayak through Naples’ mangroves with a local guide, watching for dolphins or manatees gliding below you. Expect quiet moments under tangled trees, a stop on soft white sand for shell-hunting, and plenty of chances to laugh or snap photos along the way. It’s an easygoing day that sticks with you long after your feet are back on solid ground.
