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Private Shelling and Dolphin Excursion

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Naples, USA
Popular pick
Booked 10+ times last week!
  • 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0
·
· Melissa_M ·
Feb 2026
We had an awesome time with Captain Matt. Awesome boat ride, beautiful island to search for shells, and saw plenty of dolphins - overall a core memory day for our family! Highly recommend!
· Danielle_R ·
Apr 2026
This was booked last minute, great Communication! Ended up having so much fun! Got a handful of fun shells but memories to last forever!

Overview

Southwest Florida is a shell collector’s paradise. With ten thousand islands filling the area of the Gulf off of Marco Island, a private shelling tour is a great way to enjoy time under the Florida sun. Explore remote islands during this relaxed tour. Board a boat and sail to the secluded areas off of Marco Island where you’ll stroll the white sands in search of remarkable shells. As you sail, expect to see dolphins playing in the waves.
  • Stay hydrated in the heat with free bottled water
  • Great for families who want a fun, private activity
  • Bring your own snacks and drinks to store in the cooler
  • Bags and buckets are included, just wear comfortable clothing

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Cooler filled with ice
  • Buckets and bags for your shells
  • Snacks
  • Parking fee is $10
  • Towels

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Goodland Boat Park
    750 Palm Point Dr, Goodland, FL 34140, USA

    We will meet at the Goodland Boat Park located about ten minutes from Marco Island. All customers will receive a confirmation text the day before confirming the tour.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

1

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

2 hours Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Jade_M
Captain Kasey was amazing. We saw so many dolphins and had an excellent time shelling on the beach. We will definitely do this again next time we come to Naples

Reviews

5.0
based on 360 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great Experience

Khumbo_C, Apr 2026
The entire experience was amazing. Captain Matt was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We saw several dolphins and had a great time shelling. We will definitely make this part of our future plans!

We had an awesome day on...

Steven_S, Apr 2026
We had an awesome day on the water with Captain Matt. We followed some dolphins on the way out, saw an osprey snag a fish, and watched pelicans diving in the water. Shelling island was amazing. Tons of beautiful shells for the kids to take home. On the way back we found 2 dolphins that followed our boat and kept jumping on our wake. Captain Matt was very informative and great with the kids. Highly recommend this adventure!

Great adventure, amazing Captain.

Anne_G, Apr 2026
We had the BEST time! We were kinda bummed because it just got down down pouring and it looked like it was going to storm again. Our Captain Matt told us he would keep us safe and it would be 100% up to us if we should come back in but we should definitely give it a try. Ended up being the best boat tour I’ve ever taken. Kicker is we were on the shell island and the rain was coming in fast. We got on the boat quickly and instead of going into the rain like all the other boats in the area we went out into the Gulf to avoid it. Best adventure. Dolphins were active and chased the boat. Got amazing shells.

Captain Kasey was...

Jade_M, Apr 2026
Captain Kasey was amazing. We saw so many dolphins and had an excellent time shelling on the beach. We will definitely do this again next time we come to Naples

A great captain and a perfect excursion!

Jacqueline_N, Apr 2026
We initially had an afternoon excursion planned, but our captain proactively called when the weather looked questionable and booked us for another day and a better time to accomplish what we wanted (shelling and dolphin spotting). We ended up doing the sunset cruise. Within minutes of boarding the boat, we had dolphins jumping in our wake. Then we headed over to a sandbar island that had shells galore! We watched the sunset over the water. Then as we were about to head in, a pod of dolphins (including a baby) swan within feet of the boat! It was a perfect evening. Captain Matt was knowledgeable, funny, and very concerned with our family having a good experience. I would recommend this experience to anyone who enjoys time on the water, shelling, and enjoying the incredible wildlife and ecosystem of the area!

Fun experience!

Danielle_R, Apr 2026
This was booked last minute, great Communication! Ended up having so much fun! Got a handful of fun shells but memories to last forever!

The back side of Marco

Sandra_E, Mar 2026
Great way to experience The mangrove islands, see dolphins and private uninhabited islands. Shell islands are amazing, found some beautiful shells.

Perfect Family Dolphin Tour with an Amazing Captain

Christina_S, Mar 2026
We had an amazing private dolphin and shelling tour with our family, including our daughters (ages 3 and 5). Our captain, Matt, was fantastic. He knew exactly how to position the boat so the dolphins came right up behind us and rode the waves. Watching them jump and play so close to the boat was incredible and we got amazing videos. We also stopped at a sandbar to collect seashells and the kids were in heaven. Matt was knowledgeable, safe, and made the whole ride smooth and enjoyable. We ended the trip watching a beautiful sunset. It was a perfect experience and such a special memory for our family. Highly recommend!

Highly recommend!

Melissa_M, Feb 2026
We had an awesome time with Captain Matt. Awesome boat ride, beautiful island to search for shells, and saw plenty of dolphins - overall a core memory day for our family! Highly recommend!

Really special experience for young and old m

Alicia_A, Feb 2026
A bit awkward because where Viator tells you to meet is different from where the excursion company tells you to meet. But Island Excursions were terrific with thei direct communications and all worked out. The boat was fine. The young man that met us when we arrived was friendly, informative and a nice young man. Our Captain, Kasey was incredible. So accommodating and helpful. We had two young children aboard and he was wonderful with them. He was helpful helping those of us that were not so nimble getting on and off the boat. He was very knowledgeable about the area, the environment, the fauna and flora, and the history of Marco and Goodland. It was a special day for all 6 of us. Thanks.

Great Experience!

Kristin_D, Nov 2025
Amazing trip! We saw dolphins and birds. Kasey was informative! Nick communicated before so we were ready to go. He even recommended some great restaurants for us. Would highly recommend.

Must do - EPIC experience!

Rebecca_W, Aug 2025
Absolutely amazing - a holiday highlight! Matt was the most passionate and positive tour guide. Everything was spot on. the care, the knowledge. delivered in such a family friendly way, his energy was outstanding! We got to see Dolphins and had the most epic sunset. It was a 10 out of 10 experience

Dolphin and shell tour

barbara_b, Jul 2025
Dolphins and manatees were awesome. Tour guide was very knowledgable. Pelicans and osprey also lovely

Matt was awesome! He was...

Asma_K, Jul 2025
Matt was awesome! He was super laid back and chill. Very knowledgeable about the area. We collected some cool shells and saw dolphins. Kids had a blast.

Great day on the water

Lisa_C, Jun 2025
Matt catered to what we wanted! Our granddaughters thought he was best!! The dolphins were their favorite.

Great Tour!

ToniAnn_L, Apr 2025
My family thoroughly enjoyed our private shelling tour. Capt. Kasey was knowledge and totally chill. He even went out of his way to go into the water to pull out live shells because the tide came in. It was nice to get a prospective from the water of the beautiful natural surroundings Enjoyable trip!

Perfect day

Laura_C, Apr 2025
This excursion is perfection! It’s our second year in a row doing it with the family. The boating is relaxing and fun, finding dolphins is thrilling, and shelling is a great adventure as well. Highly recommend!

Great for the whole family.

Heather_C, Mar 2025
Kasey our guide was great. He absolutely heat safety in mind during our entire trip while also helping us see some great sights, dolphins and birds. We got rained out the first day however the team graciously allowed us to return the following day.

Amazing time!

Cailyn_K, Nov 2024
My family and I had the best time with Captain Matt! He was extremely knowledgeable about the local wildlife and seashells. On our trip we found shells, dolphins, and spoonbills! I cannot recommend enough and if I return to the area I will be a returning customer for sure!

Fun family event

Peggy_V, Aug 2024
Tyler was an awesome captain. He even got the dolphins to come jump and follow our boat. It was awesome and the shelling was great.

Most wholesome experience ever!

Oriana_S, Jun 2024
We had an amazing time! Captain Nick was super nice and even left my little one drive the boat! We saw a lot of dolphins and manatees and he also help us find some pretty shells!

Great tour

Erin_C, Jun 2024
Captain Nick was very knowledgeable regarding the area! Was a excellent trip for all of our family and would definitely recommend.

Best dolphin tour ever!

Alisa_M, Apr 2024
I had the most incredible experience on the dolphin tour! The dolphins playing in the boat's wake was amazing. Being in a smaller boat makes the experience up close and personal with the dolphins. Captain Nick's knowledge about the mangroves and sea life was impressive and added to the tour. It was definitely the best dolphin tour I've ever been on, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable marine adventure.

Great!

Maureen_S, Apr 2024
Tour was awesome, we got to see grandma Curly (60 yr old dolphin), shelling was fun and watching the sunset 🌅 on the water. Captain Nick was great.

We loved it!!

Heather_O, Mar 2024
Nick was an excellent captain. My six year old loved learning about the shells and we got to see lots of dolphins too. Our second year we have been on Nicks great tour!!

Dolphin and selling tour

ena_m, Mar 2024
We saw 2 different groups of dolphins and captain nick got the second group to swim in the wake of the boat!! ! it was such a cool experience to dolphins so up close.

Dolphins and shells

ahernan8, Dec 2023
Shelling was great- you couldn’t move on the beach without stepping on shells. Nick knew exactly where to find the dolphins and one swam in our wake for several minutes. Sunset was beautiful as well. Amazing trip, knowledgeable guide. A little cold so just check the weather and remember it will be colder with the wind from the boat. Thanks, Nick!

Great excursion!

Kelly_H, Oct 2023
Nick was a great tour guide. We had an exceptional shelling experience & saw a few dolphins a long the way. Highly recommend!

Wonderful and fun experience!

Melinda_J, Jul 2023
Nick was an amazing guide who took time to share his knowledge of the area with us and had great patience answering any questions the kids had. He knew the area well and was able to educate all of us of the various types of shells. We had an absolutely great time!

From $475.00

per group (up to 6)

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 18 days in advance.

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