Private island shelling and wildlife exploration with a naturalist guide
2 hours
Up to 6 people
Guided tour, boat ride, water
Explore the Ten Thousand Islands by private boat, with a focus on wildlife viewing and beginner-friendly shelling. Learn about the estuary from your captain and guide while beachcombing uninhabited islands.
Cancel at least 7 days before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable. Changes more than 7 days ahead are subject to availability; changes within 7 days incur a $50 per-guest fee. Same-day changes aren't available. No-shows and late arrivals receive no refund.
Product ID: VQRJ3Z
Park at Goodland Boat Park. Parking costs $10 and you must pay by credit card only. If you have a Collier County Beach Permit, you do not need to pay the parking fee.
Be prepared to board on sand or in the water since the islands are uninhabited and have no docks. It’s uncommon, but you may need to wade up to your waist.
You need to get on and off the boat unassisted using a ladder. Expect to walk at least one mile on uneven sand and potentially around tree stumps and through mud.
Goodland Boat Park, 750 Palm Point Dr, Goodland, FL 34140
The consistent theme across years of tours with this operator is genuinely friendly, knowledgeable crews who make shelling adventures memorable. Captains like Brandon, Jim, Trevor, and Richard navigate expertly to prime spots, while guides including Hannah, Caitlin, Amanda, and Dominic provide helpful direction without hovering. Many reviewers appreciate the balance of expert advice with freedom to explore at their own pace, plus thoughtful touches like water check-ins during what they call "the sport" of shelling. What stands out is how many guests return year after year, often requesting favorite crew members by name. The early morning departures get you to islands before crowds arrive, and successful finds include bucket-list shells like Junonia and horse conchs. Bonus dolphin encounters seem to happen frequently. Tours range from 4 to 6 hours hitting multiple islands, and the crew adapts to weather conditions to ensure the best experience. The responsive communication from ownership and consistent quality across all staff members creates confidence that whichever guide and captain you get, you're in capable hands.
My mom and I took our first tour with Kim and Trevor on Sunday. I’ve been shelling since I was a little kid. It was always a race of “who’s going to find the first periwinkle?!”. But if we’re talking real talk, my dream has always been to find the Queen of conchs. The Florida state shell and that’s exactly what I found! I couldn’t have done it without help. Kim and Trevor were awesome tour guides. This memory is definitely one for the books. The shelling is amazing and you’ll find all your favorites, from lighting welks to bandit tulips, to smaller conchs, to whole sand dollars. Kim was very knowledgable and Trevor was nothing shy of a good captain. I highly suggest taking this beautiful tour with the most awesome crew! Thank you guys for such an amazing day- from the tour, to getting to know our guides, to finding beautiful shells one can only dream of! A big thank you to Kim and Trevor. We’re already planning our next trip back!
Kay Morris
August 25, 2026
My mom and I took our first tour with Kim and Trevor on Sunday. I’ve been shelling since I was a little kid. It was always a race of “who’s going to find the first periwinkle?!”. But if we’re talking real talk, my dream has always been to find the Queen of conchs. The Florida state shell and that’s exactly what I found! I couldn’t have done it without help. Kim and Trevor were awesome tour guides. This memory is definitely one for the books. The shelling is amazing and you’ll find all your favorites, from lighting welks to bandit tulips, to smaller conchs, to whole sand dollars. Kim was very knowledgable and Trevor was nothing shy of a good captain. I highly suggest taking this beautiful tour with the most awesome crew! Thank you guys for such an amazing day- from the tour, to getting to know our guides, to finding beautiful shells one can only dream of! A big thank you to Kim and Trevor. We’re already planning our next trip back!
Kay Morris
August 25, 2026
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