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
Marco Island Wildlife & Shelling Cruise
Island ecology, beachcombing, and kid-friendly boating
Self-Drive Eco Boat Tour of the Ten Thousand Islands
Take the helm and look for dolphins and hunting ospreys in Florida's island backwaters
Private Ten Thousand Islands Shelling & Eco Boat Tour
Private 3-hour shelling and beach stop in the Ten Thousand Islands
3-Hour Shelling Tour in Ten Thousand Islands
Search secluded barrier islands for shells with a Master Naturalist captain
4-Hour Backwater Fishing Charter in Marco Island
Fish mangrove backwaters with a local captain
8-Hour Boat Charter in Marco Island
Shape a captain-led day around Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands
2.5-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter in Marco Island
Explore the 10,000 Islands on a family-friendly fishing trip
Ten Thousand Islands History Boat Tour & Walk
Explore Ten Thousand Islands and visit two Indian Shell Mound Islands
4-Hour Kayak & Paddleboard Rental in Naples
Choose your own Southwest Florida paddle route with equipment pickup in Naples
Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Tour With Master Naturalist
Share a guided shelling charter in Ten Thousand Islands with a Master Naturalist Guide
Explore Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Cruise From Marco Island
Cruise the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge and shell remote beaches
4-Hour Shelling & Sightseeing Charter in Marco Island
Cruise Marco Island waters for shelling, beach stops and scenic wildlife viewing
Private Sunset Eco Boat Tour Near Marco Island
Shell hunt and watch the Gulf sunset from the water or shore
Ten Thousand Islands Inshore & Backwater Fishing Charter
Fish the Ten Thousand Islands on a 2–8 hour inshore and backwater charter
Private Ten Thousand Islands Sunset Beach & Eco Boat Tour
Private sunset cruise with a beach stop in the Ten Thousand Islands
6-Hour Ten Thousand Islands Guided Shelling Tour
Find and identify shells on remote Ten Thousand Islands shores
Mangrove Tunnel Airboat & Boat Tour in Everglades City
Pair a mangrove airboat ride with a Ten Thousand Islands pontoon cruise
3-Hour Private Boat Tour in Marco Island
Private, captain-led boat time for your custom Marco Island route
Manatee & Dolphin 10,000 Islands Sunset Cruise
Experience a sunset cruise with chances to spot manatees, dolphins, and wildlife in the Everglades.
Dolphin & Manatee Cruise in Ten Thousand Islands
Search for dolphins and manatees, then shell on an uninhabited island
Shelling & Cyanotype Sun Print Boat Tour in Naples
Turn coastal discoveries into a sun print keepsake
1.5-Hour Ten Thousand Islands Guided Cruise
Cruise Ten Thousand Islands mangroves while learning about wildlife and local history
Ten Thousand Islands Shelling & Fishing Charter
Cruise, shell, swim, and fish on a private family outing
6-Hour Backwater Fishing Charter Marco Island
Fish calm mangrove backwaters for snook, redfish, tarpon, and more