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Spend a half day hunting the Ten Thousand Islands for rare and common shells with experienced guides. Launching from Goodland Boat Park, this small-group tour visits multiple islands and offers long beachcombing sessions on quiet, hard-to-reach beaches.
Spend a half day hunting the Ten Thousand Islands for rare and common shells with experienced guides. Launching from Goodland Boat Park, this small-group tour visits multiple islands and offers long beachcombing sessions on quiet, hard-to-reach beaches.
Book with Florida Adventures and Rentals
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Florida Adventures and Rentals · Goodland, Florida
Keewaydin Island sits off Goodland on Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, a ragged chain of mangrove isles and shallow flats where shells collect like natural coin piles. The Keewaydin Island 6 Hour Shelling Tour launches from Goodland Boat Park, 750 Palm Point Dr., Goodland, FL 34140, and spends roughly four hours on the beach hunting for uncommon finds across multiple islands. The guides read tides and currents and share local shelling lore, ferrying small groups to hard-to-reach sandbars, shell beds, and quiet back bays.
On shore you'll walk across white carbonate sand that’s built almost entirely from broken shells and tiny fragments of marine life. The scene alternates open beach, low dunes, and mangrove edges backed by seagrass flats; those habitats concentrate scallops, whelks, olive shells, and the occasional rare Junonia or prized conch. Your captain times stops to match outgoing tides and wind patterns so crews can comb exposed wrack lines and shallow troughs where the best material accumulates.
This trip is practical and sensory: the rhythm of the boat, salt in the air, the scrape of shells underfoot, and steady coaching from guides who point out species and identification tips. The operator provides mesh shell bags, bottled water, and a shared cooler; towels, snacks, and gratuities are not included. Note Collier County Park rules require a parking pass if you don’t display a county beach sticker — plan for a $10 pass at the park.
Logistics are friendly for most travelers. Small-group tours cap at six individuals, and boarding involves three steps from dock and beach, so accessibility is possible but limited. The tour is swim-friendly—ask guides to recommend safe spots—so bring a mask if you like to search shallow water beds. Expect a leisurely six-hour outing with four to five hours onshore, making this an excellent full-morning-to-afternoon option whether you’re a first-time combiner or an experienced collector.
Keewaydin Island and the Ten Thousand Islands have long been fished and visited by Indigenous peoples, including the Calusa, whose shell middens still mark some shores; that human history folds into the natural story here. Sustainable collecting matters: remove only empty shells, leave live animals and nesting areas undisturbed, and follow your guide’s local rules.
If you want a focused, expert-led day of wildlife spotting, sea air, and tangible finds to bring home, this Goodland-based shelling run is a standout way to experience the Gulf’s quieter beaches and the geological richness of Florida’s shell-strewn coast. Book through FareHarbor to secure your spot; tours typically run in the morning for calmer water and quieter beaches, and crews tailor stops to prevailing weather for the best shelling. Early arrival lets you check in at the shaded pavilion and get advice from crew today.
moderate.
6 hours.
Light to moderate fitness—several hours of walking on sand and optional shallow-water wading. Good balance and ability to step on/off a small boat helpful.
Meet at Goodland Boat Park, 750 Palm Point Dr., Goodland, FL 34140—crew will direct you where to park and wait in the shaded pavilion.
Expect approximately four to five hours onshore for beachcombing during the six-hour tour.
There’s no specified minimum age, but small-group boat space and boarding steps require adult supervision for young children.
Towels and snacks are not provided; you may bring your own. The operator supplies mesh shell bags, bottled water, and a shared cooler.
Only take empty shells; leave live animals and check local regulations—guides will advise on permissible collecting.
Full refunds are available for cancellations made 48 hours before booking; cancellations within 48 hours are charged in full.
The Ten Thousand Islands region, including nearby Marco Island, was long used by Indigenous peoples such as the Calusa; shell middens in the area reflect that deep human history.
Practice responsible collecting: remove only empty shells, avoid disturbing nesting birds and live animals, and follow guide instructions to minimize impact.
Florida Adventures and Rentals operates guided tours and equipment rentals focused on the Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island, Goodland, and Rookery Bay Reserve. The company pairs experienced local guides and Florida naturalists with small-group outings designed for families, naturalists, and shelling enthusiasts. Tours include dolphin-focused cruises with sightings guaranteed on select departures, kayak tours through mangrove islands, guided shelling expeditions to secluded beaches, and the #1 guided jet ski tour in the area. Rentals include 48-hour and multi-day kayak and paddleboard delivery directly to homes and condos on Marco Island and neighboring communities. Safety, local knowledge, and respect for fragile coastal ecosystems are emphasized on every tour and rental. Guides provide wildlife insights, ecosystem education, and tips for low-impact exploration. Rental packages include delivery and straightforward setup instructions so guests can explore mangrove backwaters and shoreline trails independently. Whether selecting a semi-private dolphin tour, an eco-focused kayak paddle through Rookery Bay, a multi-hour shelling excursion, or an extended self-guided rental, guests can expect professionally maintained equipment and expert guidance rooted in local experience. Florida Adventures and Rentals is committed to creating memorable, educational, and family-friendly outdoor experiences while preserving the natural beauty of Southwest Florida’s waterways.
Book with Florida Adventures and Rentals