Marco Island Dolphin & Shelling Eco Tour
Private Ten Thousand Islands history and shelling with a Florida Master Naturalist
Duration
2 Hours
Highlights
- Explore islands settled before Naples existed
- Visit Fakahatchee Island’s early cemetery and handmade headstones
- Learn about the Ten Thousand Islands and its former hermit residents
- Search remote sandbars for empty shells
- Look for dolphins and manatees in their natural habitat
- Follow a route shaped by daily tides
Know before you go
- Meet at Goodland Boat Park, 750 Palm Point Drive, Goodland, FL
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early; captains can wait about 5 minutes for late arrivals
- Pay $10 for parking via the lot’s QR code; parking is limited
- Board and disembark by ladder without assistance and walk on uneven sand, tree stumps, and possible mud
- Expect wet feet, from ankle to knee deep at times; wear sneakers or water shoes rather than flip-flops
- Bring water, an electrolyte drink, snacks, sun protection, bug spray, a towel, and a small soft cooler if needed
- All guests must disembark during shelling stops
- Follow the captain’s weather and safety decisions; tours may be canceled or modified for safety
- Pay $30 per person if your party returns late from a shelling stop and delays departure
- An 18% gratuity is automatically added for parties of six or more
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations within 48 hours and no-shows are charged in full. Cancellations within 14 days without rebooking are charged 50%. No refunds for cancellations within 14 days of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's.
FAQs
You must be able to board and disembark by ladder without assistance and walk on uneven sand, tree stumps, and possible mud for up to about one mile. Expect wet feet, sometimes ankle- to knee-deep.
Bring water, at least one electrolyte drink, snacks, a bucket or bag for shells, a hand rake, bug spray, a towel, non-aerosol sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a small soft cooler if needed. Wear sneakers or water shoes rather than flip-flops.
Your captain makes weather decisions based on safety, not temperature. The tour may be canceled or modified in advance or at the dock; if the operator cancels for weather, you will not be charged and rescheduling will be attempted when possible.
Meeting details
Goodland Boat Park, 750 Palm Point Drive, Goodland, FL 34140