Florida Master Naturalist Guided Tours

Marco Island Boat Tours:
Explore the 10,000 Islands

Dolphin watching, shelling, kayaking, and wildlife tours in Southwest Florida's most pristine protected waters — led by certified naturalists with 25+ years of experience.

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Pricing Our Tours What to Expect

Excellent

★★★★★

4.9

447+ Reviews

Google

Sarah M. — Google Review

★★★★★

"Best tour we've ever taken. The guide knew everything about every bird we saw. Dolphins came right up to the boat!"

James T. — Google Review

★★★★★

"Incredible shelling. We found shells we'd never seen before and the naturalist told us all about each one."

Linda K. — Google Review

★★★★★

"Brought our 4-year-old and she was absolutely mesmerized. Guides were patient, knowledgeable and so much fun."

Why Choose Us

Why We're Marco Island's #1 Eco Tour

Dolphin Sightings on Every Tour

The 10,000 Islands has one of Florida's most active dolphin populations. Our guides know exactly where to find them — every single trip.

Florida Master Naturalist Guides

All guides are formally trained Florida Master Naturalists, Environmental Educators, and full-time outdoor leaders — not just boat captains.

World-Class Shelling

Marco Island is one of the top shelling destinations in the US. Our guides know every productive tidal flat and barrier island beach.

Protected National Park Access

We operate inside the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Everglades National Park — areas only accessible by boat.

Incredible Wildlife

Manatees, roseate spoonbills, bald eagles, sea turtles, and dozens of rare bird species are all possible to see on our tours.

Perfect for All Ages

From toddlers to grandparents, our tours are accessible, educational, and genuinely fun for every member of the family.

Our Tours

Explore the 10,000 Islands

Every tour is led by a certified Florida Master Naturalist. Choose the experience that's right for your group.

Dolphin, Birding & Shelling Tour

Spot dolphins, rare shorebirds, and collect shells on pristine barrier islands. Perfect introduction to the 10,000 Islands for all ages.

From $89.95/person

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Best Value

3.5 Hours

10,000 Islands Shelling Excursion

Deep into the 10,000 Islands refuge for an extended shelling and wildlife experience. Multiple barrier island stops.

From $149.95/person

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Adventure

3.5 Hours

Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour

Power boat to remote locations, then kayak through mangrove tunnels. Our most unique experience. Great for all skill levels.

From $199.95/person

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Private

4 Hours

Private Family Fun Tour

Your own private guide, your own schedule. Boating, beaching, shelling, and fishing all in one. Fully customized for your family.

Starting at $595

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Private

2.5–3 Hours

Private Photography Safari

Designed for serious photographers and birders. Best locations, optimal lighting, unobstructed shots. Fully private and customized.

Private pricing — contact us

Who We Serve

Our Tours Are Perfect For

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Vacations

Kid-friendly tours with educational naturalist guides. Ages 2 and up welcome.

📸 Wildlife Photographers

Access locations no other tour reaches. Rare birds, dolphins, and pristine mangroves.

🐚 Shelling Enthusiasts

The best shelling beaches in Florida, guided by people who know every tidal flat.

🎓 School & Groups

STEM-aligned educational tours for student groups and outdoor classrooms.

🦅 Birders

Roseate spoonbills, bald eagles, osprey, and dozens of rare shorebird species.

🌅 Couples & Romance

Nothing beats a 10,000 Islands sunset. Private charters available for that perfect evening.

Our Fleet

Our Boats

The Explorer

Our primary tour vessel — stable, comfortable, and perfectly suited for the 10,000 Islands.

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The Naturalist

Our private tour vessel — ideal for photography safaris, private family tours, and custom charters.

Book Private

Sea Kayaks

Our fleet of stable, comfortable sea kayaks used on the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour.

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Gift E-Cards

Give the gift of an unforgettable experience. Gift e-cards never expire and are redeemable for any tour.

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Florida Master Naturalist Certified — 25+ Years of Experience

Every guide on every tour is formally trained and certified. Featured on PBS, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet.

🎓 Florida Master Naturalists

🌿 Florida SEE Certified

⚓ US Coast Guard Licensed

📺 As Seen on PBS

🌍 National Geographic Featured

📖 Lonely Planet Recommended

What to Expect

What You Can Expect on Your Tour

Marco Island Tour Details

✓ Dolphins spotted on nearly every single tour
✓ Guides narrate the full ecology of every area visited
✓ Small group sizes — personal attention from your naturalist
✓ Access to barrier islands only reachable by boat
✓ Bring your camera — photo opportunities are extraordinary
✓ Tours depart from Goodland, FL (east of Marco Island)
✓ Life jackets provided for all ages
✓ All guides are US Coast Guard licensed captains

Add Ons & Upgrades

✓ Private tour upgrades available for any trip
✓ Gift e-cards available for all tours
✓ Custom photography safari for serious photographers
✓ Extended tours for groups who want more time
✓ Sunset departures available seasonally
✓ School and educational group packages
✓ Corporate and team outing tours available

Tour Pricing

How Much Does a Marco Island Boat Tour Cost?

Simple, transparent pricing. No hidden fees. All tours include your Florida Master Naturalist guide.

Dolphin, Birding & Shelling

2 Hours · Most Popular

$89.95

per person

Dolphin sightings
Barrier island shelling
Master Naturalist guide
All ages welcome

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10,000 Islands Shelling Tour

2 Hours

$89.95

per person

Barrier island shelling
Marco Island departure
Master Naturalist guide
Great for families

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10,000 Islands Shelling Excursion

3.5 Hours

$149.95

per person

Multiple island stops
Deep refuge access
Extended wildlife time
Best shelling experience

Book Now

Private tours and kayak tours also available. Contact us for group rates.

Our Difference

Why Choose Marco Island Boat Tours to See the 10,000 Islands?

If you’re searching for a Marco Island boat tour, you have options. But if you’ve never experienced a tour with a certified Florida Master Naturalist, you’re missing what makes this place truly extraordinary. Our guides don’t just drive the boat — they bring the entire ecosystem to life with over 25 years of intimate, daily knowledge of every island, every tidal flat, and every wildlife pattern in the refuge.

Carolina Skiffs offer much more space than standard tour boats, making them the perfect choice. Thanks to their shallow draft, Carolina Skiffs can access areas of the 10,000 Islands that larger vessels cannot.

We’ve been featured by PBS, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, and Southern Living — not because we sought publicity, but because journalists and filmmakers who came to cover the 10,000 Islands kept coming back to us as the most knowledgeable guides in the region. That reputation was built one extraordinary tour at a time, and we protect it on every single departure.

View our full list of tours to see pricing, availability, and what to expect. Whether this is your first visit or your fiftieth, we guarantee an experience that exceeds expectations.

View All Tours & Pricing Meet Our Guides

Questions

Marco Island Boat Tour FAQs

General FAQs

All tours depart from 750 Palm Point Dr, Goodland, FL 34140 — a small fishing village just east of Marco Island. Free parking is available at the dock.

Absolutely. Our tours are designed for all ages. We welcome toddlers and have had guests as young as 18 months on board. Life jackets are provided for every age.

Sunscreen, water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and closed-toe shoes for walking on islands. Bring a camera — you will want it. A bag for shells is also a great idea.

Full refunds are available with 48 hours advance notice. We also reschedule at no charge for weather-related cancellations. Contact us at (239) 695-0000 for changes.

Tours & Wildlife

Dolphins are spotted on nearly every tour. The 10,000 Islands has a very active resident dolphin population and our guides know exactly where to find them.

Tours operate year-round. November through April is the peak season with cooler temperatures and excellent wildlife viewing. Summer is warm but manatees are more active.

Yes — we offer fully private tours for families and groups. The Private Family Fun Tour and Private Photography Safari are completely customized to your interests.

Yes! Gift e-cards are available through our online booking system and never expire. They make a perfect gift for any Florida visitor or nature lover.

View All FAQs

Marco Island Boat Tours: Explore the 10,000 Islands

Dolphin watching, shelling, kayaking, and wildlife tours in Southwest Florida's most pristine protected waters — led by certified naturalists with 25+ years of experience.

Why We're Marco Island's #1 Eco Tour

Dolphin Sightings on Every Tour

Florida Master Naturalist Guides

World-Class Shelling

Protected National Park Access

Incredible Wildlife

Perfect for All Ages

Explore the 10,000 Islands

Dolphin, Birding & Shelling Tour

10,000 Islands Shelling Excursion

Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour

Private Family Fun Tour

Private Photography Safari

Our Tours Are Perfect For

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Vacations

📸 Wildlife Photographers

🐚 Shelling Enthusiasts

🎓 School & Groups

🦅 Birders

🌅 Couples & Romance

Our Boats

The Explorer

The Naturalist

Sea Kayaks

Gift E-Cards

Florida Master Naturalist Certified — 25+ Years of Experience

What You Can Expect on Your Tour

Marco Island Tour Details

Add Ons & Upgrades

How Much Does a Marco Island Boat Tour Cost?

Why Choose Marco Island Boat Tours to See the 10,000 Islands?

Marco Island Boat Tour FAQs

Ready to Explore the 10,000 Islands?

Marco Island Boat Tours:
Explore the 10,000 Islands