Overview
Our 2.5-hour Barrier Island shelling tour is the perfect tour if you want to spend a little more time looking for a really special shell. Captains are always US Coast accredited master captains with decades of experience to ensure safe passage even in rough weather.
Your guide is a certified Florida Master Naturalist with a wealth of knowledge to help you understand not only what you'll find but also where to look to locate the most sought-after and rare shells like the infamous Junonia. A truly memorable shelling experience as all of our tours are small groups and very intimate.
Tour destinations may include Caxambas sandbars, Kice Island, Morgan Island, Cape Romano, and Second Chance Shell Bar (aka Shell Island). Shelling locations are dependent on the time of the year, weather, tide, and wind. Shelling locations are at the captain's discretion.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Complementary shelling bags
Cooler with Ice
Parking fee $10
On-board restrooms
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
PARKING is $10 at the Boat Park, receipt is required on your dashboard. ARRIVE EARLY, and plan for there NOT BEING ANY AVAILABLE PARKING. Uber, Lyft recommended - average rate $10-20 from Marco Island. Nearest offsite parking is across the street from Stan's Idle Hour (0.3 miles 7-10 minutes walk)
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know
Your captain or guide will check you in. We do not have staff at the marina store.
What to expect
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Kice Island
1 hour
Kice Island is regarded as the "shellers" island near Marco. The barrier island has fantastic shells on the gulf shore but is a notoriously difficult anchorage with a shallow mangrove shoreline, and is open to wind and waves. Our expert captains know where to go, and our certified Florida Master Nauturalist guides know where to find the rarest and most exotic shells.
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TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NWR
1 hour
Boat tours explore barrier islands of the 10,000 Islands.
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Marco Island
1 hour
Tour the barrier islands surrounding Marco Island Florida. Marco Island is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off Southwest Florida, linked to the mainland by bridges south of the city of Naples. It’s home to resort hotels, beaches, marinas and golf courses, as well as a network of inland waterways. A long, sandy beach covers most of the west coast, with resort hotels in the south. Tigertail Beach Park has a tidal lagoon, popular for kayaking and paddleboarding.
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Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
1 hour
Experience the mangrove estuary of the Rookery Bay Preserve. Rookery Bay is a National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples, Florida supported by the Friends of Rookery Bay.
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Southwest Gulf Coast
1 hour
Our tour includes Gulf waters weather permitting. Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast contains a constellation of enticing coastal gems. Stunning beaches, including Ft. Myers Beach, Tigertail Beach and Pensacola Beach, fringe the Gulf, down the I-75 from Tampa to Naples.
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Cape Romano
1 hour
The boat tour will cruise by Cape Romano to see the famous Dome House. The Cape Romano Dome House is an abandoned house consisting of six dome-shaped modules on stilts, located approximately 300 feet offshore from Cape Romano Island, south of Marco Island, in the Ten Thousand Islands of Collier County, Florida.
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Goodland
1 hour
See the quaint fishing village of Goodland. Goodland is a census-designated place in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 267 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (America/New York).
Additional Information
- Beaches can require walking long distances on uneven terrain, walking through water, and navigating areas around mangrove trees and stumps.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Private 2.5hr Barrier Island Shelling Tour
Can I cancel Private 2.5hr Barrier Island Shelling Tour for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
How long does it take?
It takes about 2 hours 30 min.
Where does it start?
PARKING is $10 at the Boat Park, receipt is required on your dashboard. ARRIVE EARLY, and plan for there NOT BEING ANY AVAILABLE PARKING.
What's included?
- Complementary shelling bags
- Cooler with Ice
What's not included?
- Parking fee $10
- On-board restrooms
Which places does it visit?
It visits Kice Island, TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NWR, Marco Island, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Southwest Gulf Coast, Cape Romano, Goodland.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Florida Island Tours
