Florida Island Tours: Boat Adventures in Goodland, FL

Goodland, Florida, a gateway to the stunning 10,000 Islands, offers an unmatched playground for waterborne adventure seekers. Here, Florida Island Tours offers a range of private and small group boat excursions that dive deep into the region’s dynamic coastal ecosystem. Whether it’s the 2-hour private shelling tour or a 6-hour immersive journey, every trip delivers a vivid encounter with the area's unique marine and bird life.

What distinguishes Florida Island Tours is the caliber of their fleet and expertise. Their custom-built boats draw just 7 inches of water, granting access to shallow mangrove channels and secluded barrier islands unreachable by larger vessels. Captains like Thomas and Nate hold 100-ton licenses and bring rich local knowledge, guiding guests through scenes of dolphins riding the boat’s wake, ospreys circling overhead, and burrowing owls on island shores.

The tours range from early morning shelling excursions where soft sunrise light reveals intricate shells, to sunset cruises culminating on a barrier island that serves as a vital turtle nesting ground. Birding opportunities and stunning waterways lined with mangroves provide naturalist highlights throughout. The hands-on shelling walks offer insight into Florida’s coastal ecology, with nets and guidance to help identify diverse shell species.

Beyond wildlife, the trips often brush past the hidden homes of Florida’s famous vacationers, adding a layer of local flavor. The emphasis on small groups and customizable trips ensures a personalized experience, combining adventure with education and comfort.

Florida Island Tours makes Goodland an exceptional destination for those who want to witness Florida’s wild waterways in intimate detail—whether you’re chasing dolphins, hunting shells, or simply soaking in rare ecosystems from the water. This is not just a boat tour but a thoughtfully curated journey deep into Southwest Florida’s coastal heart.