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
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands on a 2-Hour Private Tour
Private 2-hour Ten Thousand Islands boat tour for up to 17
Cruise the 10,000 Islands on a 3-Hour Private Tour
Customize a 3-hour private boat cruise in the 10,000 Islands for up to 17 guests
Spot Manatees & Dolphins by Kayak at Rookery Bay
Paddle calm estuarine waters with a naturalist guide to spot birds, manatees, and dolphins
2-Hour Dolphin Boat Tour From Marco Island
Cruise Marco Island waters and look for dolphins on a 2-hour private or semi-private boat tour
Cruise Marco Island & Shell in the Ten Thousand Islands
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands and search for shells on a private beach
Private Wildlife & Shelling Tour on Marco Island
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands on a private tour to discover wildlife and gather tropical seashells.
Full Day 10,000 Islands Wildlife & Beach Tour
Enjoy a full day exploring islands, wildlife, and local spots with your group on a private boat tour.
Ten Thousand Islands Shelling & Dolphin Tour
Discover hidden island beaches, collect rare seashells, and watch wild dolphins on a guided small-group boat trip.
Manatee & Dolphin 10,000 Islands Sunset Cruise
Experience a sunset cruise with chances to spot manatees, dolphins, and wildlife in the Everglades.
Cruise Naples’ 10,000 Islands at Sunset
Reserve a private 3-hour sunset cruise for up to 6 passengers
Naples Dolphin & Manatee Eco Tour with Beach Time
Spot dolphins and manatees, then relax on a secluded 10,000 Islands beach in a smooth-water eco cruise
Manatee & Dolphin 10,000 Islands Private Eco Tour
Experience wildlife, beach time, and shelling on a private boat tour for your group.
Fish the Ten Thousand Islands on a 2.5-Hour Charter
Fish the Ten Thousand Islands mangroves with gear, bait, and licenses included
5-Hour Offshore Fishing Charter in Naples
Fish the Ten Thousand Islands and Gulf of Mexico with a captain who will filet your keepers
Cruise Goodland for a Sunset Eco-Tour
Cruise to a secluded beach for shelling and Gulf Coast sunset views
8-Hour Kayak or SUP Rental with Shop Pickup
Grab quality kayaks or paddleboards from the shop and explore Southwest Florida waters for up to eight hours.
Marco Island Jet Ski Tour with Dolphins
Explore hidden mangrove channels and spot dolphins on an exhilarating 2-hour jet ski adventure
Private 2-Hour Boat Tour in Marco Island
Customize your own 2-hour private boat tour for up to 6 people
Private Dolphin Watching & Shelling Tour in Marco Island
Private dolphin watching with time to explore and shell on a secluded island
Marco Island Private Shelling Cruise
Cruise Marco Island waters and shell remote barrier islands on a private boat
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands on a 4-Hour Charter
Customize a 4-hour private boat tour for up to 17 people
4-Hour Family Fishing Charter in Marco Island
Private 4-hour family charter with fishing, shelling, and wildlife viewing
3-Hour Private Boat Tour in Marco Island
Private, captain-led boat time for your custom Marco Island route
Private 4-Hour Boat Charter in Marco Island
Customize a private 4-hour boat tour around Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
6-Hour Private Boat Charter in Marco Island
Private 6-hour boat tour around Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
Keewaydin Island Shelling & Dolphin Cruise From Naples
Boat to Keewaydin Island for shelling and dolphin spotting
Sunset Shelling & Dolphin Cruise From Marco Island
Private sunset boat tour with shelling and dolphin spotting in the Ten Thousand Islands
Cruise Goodland on a 2-Hour Sunset Shelling Tour
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands and search for shells at sunset
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
10,000 Islands Dolphin Eco Cruise From Goodland
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands with a Florida Master Naturalist captain
Private Shelling Charter in Ten Thousand Islands
Private Ten Thousand Islands shelling tour with a Master Naturalist guide
Guided Shelling Tour in Ten Thousand Islands
Share a guided shelling charter in Ten Thousand Islands with a Master Naturalist Guide
Explore Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Eco Tour
Private 3-hour shelling and beach stop in the Ten Thousand Islands
Cruise Ten Thousand Islands Sunset & Beach Charter
Private sunset cruise with a beach stop in the Ten Thousand Islands
Inshore & Backwater Fishing Charter From Marco Island
Fish the Ten Thousand Islands on a 2–8 hour inshore and backwater charter
2-Hour Dolphin, Birding & Shelling Tour in Marco Island
Cruise the 10,000 Islands with a naturalist, then shell on a barrier island
Pontoon Boat Rental From Isles of Capri Marina
Rent a 22' pontoon with half- or full-day options from Isles of Capri Marina
Pontoon Boat Rental From Isles Of Capri Marina
Rent a 22-foot pontoon with half- or full-day options for up to 12 passengers
Private Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Charter
Private shelling charter to Ten Thousand Islands beaches, up to 6 passengers
2-Hour 10,000 Islands Shelling Tour Near Everglades
Cruise to a remote barrier island for shelling in the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge
Explore Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Cruise From Marco Island
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge and shell remote beaches
Fish Marco Island & 10,000 Islands 4-Hour Charter
Fish the mangrove backwaters of the 10,000 Islands with a local captain