Naples: 4-Hour Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Trip

Shell hunting in the Ten Thousand Islands, hands-on and guided

You board at Goodland Boat Park and cruise fifteen to twenty minutes into the Ten Thousand Islands, stopping at Dickman's Island and remote sandbars where shells collect. Your guide teaches you what each shell is and how it lived, while you fill complimentary bags with your finds. The boat is shaded, water and ice are included, and you're back in four hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Shelling trip through Ten Thousand Islands

• Depart from Goodland Boat Park
• Cruise past Neal Key, Ramsey Key, Little Tide Key
• Observe wildlife south of Marco Island
• Stop at Dickman’s Island and Sandbars
• Walk beach and collect shells
• Explore shoreline on north side island
• Collect unique shells on beach

The experience

There's something about the hunt itself. The not knowing what you'll find when you step onto a beach that only boats can reach. The Ten Thousand Islands shelling trip from Naples starts at Goodland Boat Park and takes you out for four hours through waters that feel removed from the mainland, even though you're still in Florida. The boat ride alone is fifteen to twenty minutes, and by then you're already scanning the water for dolphins and manatees. Your captain knows where the shells collect, where the tides leave them stacked, and which islands are worth the stop.

You'll anchor at Dickman's Island and the sandbars nearby (spots that take about an hour and a half to reach), and then the real work starts. It's not strenuous, but it is active. You're walking the shoreline, bending, filling the complimentary shelling bags they give you, and listening to your guide explain what lived inside each shell you pick up. A conch, a fighting conch, a coquina. Each one has a story about diet, behavior, how it survived between the tides. It's the kind of detail that makes a shell stop being a souvenir and start being something you actually understand. The boat stays fully shaded, so you're not cooking between stops, and there's a cooler full of ice and bottled water waiting when you get back on board.

The trip works whether you've never shelled before or you've been collecting for years. The pace isn't rushed, and the group stays small enough that the guide can answer questions without shouting over an engine. You're out on the water, not in a classroom, so the learning happens while you're actually holding the shells in your hands. By the time you head back to Goodland, your bags are full and you've got the kind of afternoon memory that doesn't fade just because you left the beach.

What’s included

Your four-hour shelling trip includes bottled water and ice throughout the day, a printed shell guide to identify your finds, complimentary shelling bags to carry them, a fully shaded boat with ample seating so you stay comfortable between stops, and a cooler full of ice to keep drinks cold. Your captain and guide handle navigation and education, leaving you free to focus on the hunt.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 07:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

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 Adventures and Rentals

Is this one for you?Right for anyone curious about what shells are and where they come from, whether you're new to shelling or already collecting. The four hours are split between boat time and beach time, so expect a mix of cruising and walking rather than one long beach day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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.

Where does the shelling tour depart from?

Goodland Boat Park, 750 Palm Point Dr., Goodland, FL 34140.

How long is the boat ride to the shelling spots?

Fifteen to twenty minutes from Goodland to the islands.

What islands do you stop at?

Dickman's Island and nearby sandbars, with views of Neal Key, Ramsey Key, and Little Tide Key along the way.

How much time do you spend shelling?

About an hour and a half at Dickman's Island and the sandbars, plus time on the boat and at other stops.

What's included in the tour?

Bottled water, a shell guide, complimentary shelling bags, a fully shaded boat with ample seating, and a cooler full of ice.

Do I need experience to go shelling?

No. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and works for both beginners and experienced collectors.

Will I see wildlife?

Yes. The route passes areas where dolphins and manatees live south of Marco Island, though sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Water and ice are provided. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and wear shoes suitable for walking on sand and shells.