Get started
Why list with usHow it worksEarnings calculatorManagement
Airbnb managementProperty managementVacation rental managementShort-term rental managementServiced apartment managementHoliday home managementAirbnb co-hostingChannels & tools
Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketing
Two-hour boat journey through the 10,000 Islands — spot dolphins, manatees, and diverse birdlife while shelling on a barrier island.
Join a Florida Master Naturalist for a two-hour interpretive tour deep into the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge. You’ll likely see dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and a variety of birds including bald eagles and rosette spoonbills, depending on the season.
The adventure includes a stop at an uninhabited barrier island where you can collect shells and sand dollars. Tours are recommended in the morning from June through October to avoid the heat. Bring sunscreen and a hat for comfort during the journey.
Places you'll visit
Reviews
Captain Ed was fantastic! The hour-long tour doesn't provide much time for shelling, but it's an ideal duration for children. We saw dolphins playing in our wake twice, and they were wonderful with our kids. We had a lovely experience and appreciated the discounted rate for kids, making it more budget-friendly for families.
Captain Kevin was an excellent guide, incredibly knowledgeable, and fantastic with my children. We will certainly book again on our next visit to Marco.
The captain was well-informed and enhanced the experience with engaging stories from his past. The tour was wonderful, featuring a playful dolphin and enjoyable shelling opportunities.
We spotted numerous dolphins and birds, and discovered some interesting shells. The water was stunning, making it an enjoyable experience overall.
The crew was very friendly and accommodating. Observing the dolphins was incredible, and I collected plenty of interesting shells. The price was reasonable, though a longer experience would have been nice. It was an ideal group size for everyone, though it might not be suitable for wheelchair users.
We selected this tour from many options, and it turned out to be the best part of our week in Marco Island. - There was excellent communication from the moment we booked until after the tour. - They honored the scheduled time, transforming our group of two into a private tour. - The boat safety, comfort, and sailing practices were commendable. - The captain listened to our interests and customized the tour accordingly. - Service was exceptional, along with genuine kindness. On our trip, which started at 11 am on a weekday during low tide, my aunt and I wanted to see dolphins and birds, with less emphasis on shelling. Captain Kevin made several stops for bird sightings and took us to dolphin spots usual during low tide. It was incredible; a pod of dolphins showcased all their playful behaviors. They seemed familiar with the captain, responding eagerly when he called out and created a wake. One dolphin began breaching and appeared to summon others from further away. Captain Kevin graciously turned the boat to lead them back to their group, which then headed to a nearby sandbar for lunch. We visited a barrier island, where we saw Sandpipers and Black Skimmers and collected beautiful shells, but we were eager to see the dolphins again. Captain Kevin was confident we could catch them, and we did. They had just departed the sandbar, and several boats were observing the pod. The three captains maneuvered respectfully, allowing us to witness a mother dolphin teaching its calf to porpoise while older dolphins navigated nearby, enjoying the wakes. A pelican joined the scene, making it a true representation of Florida. This experience was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip to Southwest Florida.
This was a wonderful tour with Captain Kevin and first mate Jewels. I highly recommend it! They provided great information, and we encountered dolphins along with excellent shelling opportunities.
Joe served as an excellent guide, demonstrating great knowledge. We encountered dolphins and discovered numerous shells. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.
Our dolphin, shelling, and birding tour was an incredible experience. We joined the 8:00 AM trip, which was ideal for shelling since the beach was full of shells thanks to the southwest wind. The wildlife viewing was the day's highlight; we were thrilled to see a mother dolphin with her calf, including a memorable moment of nursing. Additionally, we witnessed a manta ray leap from the water, which was stunning. The crew was exceptional, with our captain and guides providing extensive knowledge and answering all our questions about the local birds and ecosystem. The shelling was fantastic—finding amazing treasures, plus we were given our shelling bags as a keepsake. With perfect weather and expert guidance, this trip was wonderful from beginning to end. Definitely recommended.
We had an incredible and informative experience with Captain Kevin. He shared fascinating insights about the Ospreys in the Goodland Marina area and their migration patterns. We spotted a pod of dolphins swimming and enjoyed capturing photos as they leapt alongside the boat. Later, we went shelling on a serene island, where I was thrilled to discover a sand dollar. My husband and I appreciated Kevin's expertise on the local homes and ecosystem of Marco Island. We highly recommend this trip with him when visiting the area.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
Visiting Naples?
Hand-picked, verified serviced apartments — concierge always included.