Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands and beachcomb for shells
2.5 hours
Boat tour, Beach stop, Guide
Explore the mangrove forests and barrier islands of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge on a 2.5-hour boat tour from Goodland. Look for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and coastal birds, then stop on a remote barrier island to search for shells.
Not recommended for guests with significant mobility impairments; you should be able to navigate stairs with minimal assistance. On 6-passenger private charters, children 6 and under must wear a personal flotation device (provided) at all times; some infants under 12 months may be too small for any infant device.
Cancel or change up to 72 hours before departure for a full refund. No refunds for no call/no show, late arrivals, or cancellations within 72 hours. Dangerous weather cancellations are fully refunded if you cannot reschedule. If you return 45+ minutes into the tour due to weather, it is prorated.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour. The boat leaves the dock at the scheduled departure time, and late arrivals are treated as late arrivals/no-shows.
Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, a camera, a bag to collect shells, a reusable water bottle, and any emergency medications you may need. Wear shoes/sandals and clothing that can get wet, and consider an extra layer on cooler days.
This tour is not recommended if you have significant mobility impairments. You should be able to navigate stairs independently or with minimal assistance.
205 Harbor Place North Goodland, FL US 34140
Captain Glenn leads most of the tours you'll read about, though Captains Alex, Clay, and Dan also get glowing mentions across the board. The crew here clearly knows their waters well, and guests consistently come away having spotted dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and a surprising variety of birds. The wildlife sightings feel genuine rather than guaranteed, which makes them all the more memorable when they happen. What really stands out is how much the captains engage with their groups, sharing local history, ecology, and genuinely funny commentary along the way. Private charters are available and seem to work beautifully for families with kids and grandparents alike. Tours also include shelling stops at secluded spots, and guests recommend bringing a bag for what you find. One reviewer noted a weather-related delay, but even then managed to have a good time, which says something about the overall experience. Easily worth booking if you're in the Marco Island or Naples area.
Went on the Dolphin and Shelling Cruise with Captain Glenn today. We had the most delightful time 🤩 Captain Glenn was really informative and made every effort to get the dolphins to follow us. We saw manatees, pelicans, storks, ospreys and a plethora of dolphins; it was stunning sat there watching the dolphins in the wild. It was very obvious that Captain Glenn was extremely passionate in what he did and was really delighted when we saw a pod of dolphins with their babies. Captain Glenn was an absolute delight and was such good fun. Would highly recommend a visit 🤩
Alison Everingham
May 21, 2026
Went on the Dolphin and Shelling Cruise with Captain Glenn today. We had the most delightful time 🤩 Captain Glenn was really informative and made every effort to get the dolphins to follow us. We saw manatees, pelicans, storks, ospreys and a plethora of dolphins; it was stunning sat there watching the dolphins in the wild. It was very obvious that Captain Glenn was extremely passionate in what he did and was really delighted when we saw a pod of dolphins with their babies. Captain Glenn was an absolute delight and was such good fun. Would highly recommend a visit 🤩
Alison Everingham
May 21, 2026