Things to do nearTen Thousand Islands
Ten Thousand Islands is a vast coastal wilderness in Southwest Florida, celebrated for its labyrinthine mangrove channels, abundant wildlife, and pristine backcountry paddling.
Ten Thousand Islands forms the northwestern edge of Everglades National Park, encompassing roughly 35 miles of coastline where freshwater from the Everglades meets the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting estuary is one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in North America, supporting an extraordinary range of fish, birds, and marine mammals within its tangle of red and black mangroves.
The islands themselves are not dramatic in elevation but are endlessly varied in character. Some are low shell mounds built over centuries by the Calusa people, whose sophisticated culture thrived here long before European contact. Others are pure mangrove thickets, their arching prop roots creating underwater nurseries for snook, redfish, and tarpon. Anglers have long regarded these waters among the finest backcountry fishing grounds in Florida.
Kayaking and canoeing are the primary ways to explore the area, and a network of marked water trails allows paddlers of varying experience levels to navigate the channels safely. Guided tours departing from Everglades City introduce visitors to the ecology of the estuary and the history of the Calusa and later fishing communities that called this coast home.
What makes Ten Thousand Islands genuinely compelling is its scale and its silence. There are no roads here, no beachside amenities, and very few signs of the modern world once you move beyond the launch points. That absence is precisely the point, and it makes the islands one of the most rewarding wild places left along the entire Gulf Coast.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Ten Thousand Islands
Launch from Everglades City for the most direct access to the backcountry water trails and to pick up navigational charts at the local outfitter before heading out.
Visit between November and April to avoid summer heat, afternoon thunderstorms, and the heaviest mosquito activity.
Bring a tide chart and plan your paddling routes around tidal flow, as shallow flats can strand a kayak during low tide.
Watch for bottlenose dolphins, manatees, roseate spoonbills, and osprey, which are all commonly spotted among the islands throughout the year.
Camp overnight on one of the designated chickee platforms or shell mound sites to experience the area after day-trippers have gone and the night sky opens up completely.
Top tours & experiences near Ten Thousand Islands
Private Boat Tour of the Ten Thousand Islands
Customize a private cruise with music, island stops, and waterfront views
Everglades Airboat Tour & National Park Boat Tour
Airboat the private grasslands, then cruise Everglades National Park
4-Hour Private Shelling Cruise in Ten Thousand Islands
Private 4-hour shelling and barrier-island tour for up to 12
Marco Island Private Shelling Cruise
Cruise Marco Island waters and shell remote barrier islands on a private boat
Private Backwater Fishing Charter in the 10,000 Islands
Fish the mangrove backwaters of the 10,000 Islands with a local captain
Private 2-Hour Boat Tour in Marco Island
Customize your own 2-hour private boat tour for up to 6 people
Private Dolphin & Shelling Boat Tour from Marco Island
Private island cruising for dolphin spotting and shell collecting
Marco Island Dolphin & Eco Cruise
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands and search for coastal wildlife
4-Hour Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Tour
Search secluded islands for distinctive shells with crew guidance
10,000 Islands Dolphin Eco Cruise From Goodland
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands with a Florida Master Naturalist captain
4-Hour Everglades National Park Fishing Charter
Cast for seasonal inshore fish in the Ten Thousand Islands
Keewaydin Island Shelling & Dolphin Cruise From Naples
Boat to Keewaydin Island for shelling and a chance to spot dolphins
2-Hour Private Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour
Customize a private cruise with island stops, music, and room for your crew
Self-Drive 10,000 Islands Boat Tour
Drive a CraigCat through island backwaters with a shelling and swimming stop
Naples 2-Hour Sailing Charter
Private catamaran sailing around the Ten Thousands Islands
Marco Island 4-Hour Boat Charter
Cruise Marco Island waterways and unwind on barrier islands
Private 10,000 Islands Backwater Fishing Charter
Cast light tackle for a variety of inshore fish with a local captain
4-Hour Family Fishing Charter in Marco Island
Private 4-hour family charter with fishing, shelling, and wildlife viewing
Private Shelling Tour of the 10,000 Islands
Explore tide-shaped island shores in search of distinctive seashells
Private 10,000 Islands Fishing Charter from Marco Island
Cast for varied species, with nearshore wreck fishing when weather allows
Full-Day Kayak & Paddleboard Rental Pickup in Naples
Grab quality kayaks or paddleboards from the shop and explore Southwest Florida waters for up to eight hours.
Private Shelling Charter in Ten Thousand Islands
Private Ten Thousand Islands shelling tour with a Master Naturalist guide
2-Hour 10,000 Islands Shelling Tour Near Everglades
Cruise to a remote barrier island for shelling in the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge
Sunset Shelling & Dolphin Cruise From Marco Island
Private sunset boat tour with shelling and dolphin spotting in the Ten Thousand Islands