10,000 Islands Shelling Tours

The 10,000 Islands Shelling Tour is a 3.5 hour boat tour and is the best way to experience the natural world around Marco Island. Departing just a few miles from Marco Island it an easy drive from Naples, Bonita Springs, Sanibel and Fort Myers. You will experience what many describe as, "The Best of Florida"... the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge. It is a very special part of our planet.

With an abundance of wildlife and countless remote barrier islands, only reachable by boat, the shelling is absolutely the Best in Florida. Most other Florida beaches, including Sanibel, Fort Myers and Naples, can have 100’s, if not 1000’s, of people daily. Imagine shelling on islands that are NOT picked over daily by these 100's of people. This is the 10,000 Islands Shelling Tour!

This shelling tour is actually a two-part experience. The first part is a slow, intimate boating tour amongst the remote islands of the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge. On the way to one of our many shelling destinations, we will search for dolphins, manatees and sea turtles. You may encounter ospreys, bald eagles, ibis, roseate spoonbill, egrets, herons and any number of shore and sea bird species. Shelling certainly is the focus of this tour, but having dolphins surfing and jumping behind the boat is always a blast for your whole family!

The shelling crown-jewel, of course, is the Junonia, but the Alphabet Cone, Scotch Bonnet, Lace Murex and Flat Scallop are some of our favorite shells .. and don’t forget about sand dollars.

If you enjoy like-minded folks, please join our scheduled shared tours. However, if an experience with just your family is more to your liking, Marco Island Boat Tours specializes in private shelling tours.

Marco Island Boat Tours is the most experienced tour provider in the area having conducted guided eco-educational experiences since the 1990’s. Our sister brand, EvergladesAreaTours.com, was one of the first providers to be certified by the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism and has been recognized internationally as an Ethical Tour Provider.

This is not a typical programmed tourist tour. Every day and every tour can be different, so be sure to discuss with your guide the possibilities. This tour is approximately 3.5 hours in duration and departs twice daily at 9:00 and 1:30. Advanced reservations are always required. Don't forget your cameras!