Marco Island Sightseeing
& Shelling Tour

Bring sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent and a camera. Comfortable water shoes are strongly recommended for uneven sand, shallow water and occasional muddy areas. We provide complimentary shelling bags and bottled water. You may also want sandwiches or snacks, especially on a longer outing.

Shelling is rewarding year-round around Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands. Each season brings different conditions and discoveries; tides, wind and recent weather often matter more than the month on the calendar.

Lower tides often expose more beach and shells that were underwater. Early departures may also offer cooler temperatures. Our captains plan beach stops around local conditions whenever possible. See our live tide predictions for planning information; the booking calendar shows actual departures.

Kice Island is one of the destinations we may visit, depending on your selected tour, tides, weather and access. Our captains choose stops for a suitable combination of safety, accessibility and shelling opportunities. A particular island is not guaranteed.

Expect natural beaches with uneven sand, scattered shells, shallow water and occasional muddy areas. You can explore at your own pace, but beach landings and walking require suitable mobility. Please speak with us before booking if you have concerns about boarding or the terrain.

Yes. Shelling gives children a hands-on way to explore nature and discover the coast. Parents and guardians should closely supervise children around water, uneven ground and mangrove shorelines. Boat-tour age and life-jacket information appears below.

A Junonia is an exciting and rare find, so we can never promise one. Our destinations offer a rich variety of shells, and your guide can help identify what you discover. Come for the hunt and enjoy the surprises each day brings.

Possible finds include scallops, cockles, alphabet cones, tulips, lightning whelks, angel wings, murexes, horse conchs, Scotch bonnets, Florida fighting conchs, crown conchs, nutmegs, worm shells, lettered olives, gaudy naticas, shark eyes and sand dollars. Availability varies with location and conditions; specific finds are not guaranteed.

You may collect empty shells where collection is permitted. Leave living animals and occupied shells undisturbed, including live sand dollars. Your guide can help distinguish living animals from empty shells and explain any restrictions at the landing location.

Yes. Wind, tides and recent weather influence where shells collect and which beaches are accessible. Our captains choose locations for the conditions on the day, and stops may change to keep the outing safe.

No. Beginners and experienced collectors are welcome, and complimentary shelling bags are provided. You may bring a sand dipper or other suitable shelling tool if you prefer. Our captains and guides can share identification tips and responsible collecting practices.

Yes. Ask about private two-, three-, four-, six- or eight-hour arrangements. Tell us your group size, preferred date and shelling interests. Total trip time includes boat travel, so we will help you compare the options and expected beach time.

Marco Island and nearby Naples offer hotels, resorts and vacation rentals. Staying on Marco Island puts you within a drive of our Goodland departure point. Contact our office if you would like local suggestions and help planning travel time.

No. NOAA tide predictions are visitor planning information. Available departures, trip options and booking details come from our live booking calendar.

Our tours explore Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands, departing from Goodland. We do not depart from or operate these trips in Sanibel.

Our boat tours depart from Goodland Boating Park, 750 Palm Point Drive, Goodland, FL 34140. Daily vehicle parking is $10; follow the posted QR-code payment instructions. Vehicles displaying a valid Collier County Resident Beach Parking Permit are exempt from the daily vehicle-parking fee. Check the posted signs and your booking confirmation for current instructions.

Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure for check-in, paperwork and the safety briefing. Late arrival may reduce your tour time or cause you to miss the departure. Complete your waivers in advance and allow time for parking.

Yes. Use the waiver link in your booking confirmation email. Each adult must sign their own waiver; a parent or legal guardian signs for minors. Please finish these before you arrive, as limited cell service at the marina can slow check-in.

Our boat experiences range from two to eight hours, depending on the tour or private arrangement. Many popular outings last two to three hours. Check your selected experience for its total duration, which includes boat travel and any beach stops.

Cancel at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund. Within 48 hours, guest cancellations are not refundable, but we are happy to help with rescheduling. If we cancel for unsafe weather and you cannot reschedule, we issue a full refund.

A brief Florida shower may not prevent the tour from operating. Your captain assesses the actual conditions and may adjust the route, delay departure or reschedule when necessary. Please contact us if you have questions about your departure rather than assuming it is cancelled.

Nearby lightning or unsafe winds can lead to a delay, route change or cancellation. Your captain makes the operating decision based on conditions. We do not operate tours during nearby lightning.

If weather ends your tour before the halfway point, you may qualify for a partial refund. After more than half the tour has been completed, refunds are not available; instead, we can offer an opportunity to return on another day, subject to availability. Contact our team about the arrangements for your specific trip.

All ages are welcome, including infants who weigh at least 20 pounds under our company safety policy. Our crew must be able to provide and properly fit a suitable U.S. Coast Guard-approved infant life jacket before departure. Please tell us about infants when booking.

On our U.S. Coast Guard-inspected tour boats, children are not routinely required to wear life jackets while underway in normal conditions. Properly sized, approved life jackets are available, and parents may choose to have children wear them. Everyone must follow the captain’s instructions, including any direction to put on a life jacket. Requirements can differ on other vessels; confirm the arrangements for your booking.

Bring water shoes, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and a camera. For a longer outing, consider sandwiches, snacks or a picnic-style lunch. A light jacket or sweatshirt is useful in cooler months. Check your chosen tour for any additional recommendations.

Complimentary bottled water and a cooler with ice are provided. You are welcome to bring snacks and your favorite beverages, including adult beverages. Please choose cans or plastic containers instead of glass.

Yes. Our tour boats have covered passenger seating that provides shade during the ride. Coverage varies by vessel, and beach stops are exposed, so bring sun protection for the whole outing.

Our boats do not have onboard restrooms. Please use the marina’s restroom facilities before departure.

Gratuity is not included in your booking. Tips are always appreciated by our captains, guides, crew and rental team. If you would like to leave a tip, cash is recommended.