Spend four hours exploring the quiet beaches of Kice Island and nearby sandbars off Goodland. Guides lead short beach walks to find olives, cones, and other shells while explaining the local ecology and safe collecting practices.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The boat eases out of Goodland Boat Park as tide pulls the Gulf across a chain of mangrove teeth. Salt spray beads on the shaded canopy above the deck while a captain with a soft Gulf drawl points the bow toward a scatter of islands—Neal Key, Ramsey Key, Little Tide Key—each one a low, wind-bleached ring of sand and mangrove roots. This is the Ten Thousand Islands, a place where the shoreline refuses to stay fixed and the surf keeps depositing curiosities: olive shells, cone fragments, and the occasional luminous piece worthy of a collector’s eye.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people of most fitness levels; requires stepping onto a small skiff and walking up to a mile on flat sandy shorelines.
Wildlife
History
The Ten Thousand Islands were formed by sea-level rise and shell-rich sediments; indigenous Calusa people used these waters for centuries before modern fishing and tourism developed.
Conservation
The area’s seagrass beds and bird nesting sites are sensitive—collect responsibly, avoid trampling dunes, and use reef-safe sunscreen to reduce chemical runoff.
Reserve your spot on the 4 Hour Kice Island Shelling Trip today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive Early for Parking
Goodland Boat Park has very limited parking and a $10 fee; arrive 30 minutes early to secure a spot and check in at the shaded pavilion.
Wear Water Shoes
Soft sand and shell fragments make reef or water shoes smart—they protect feet and make beach scrambling easier.
Protect from Sun and Wind
Bring broad-spectrum reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a lightweight wind layer—the sun is strong and sea breeze can be deceptive.
Leave Live Shells Alone
Take only empty, intact shells; if you see movement or a smell, return the specimen to the surf to protect local populations.
Closed-toe water shoes
Protects feet from sharp shell edges and hot sand.
summer
Wide-brim sun hat
Shields face and neck during exposed beach time.
summer
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects you and the marine environment from harmful chemicals.
Light windbreaker or long-sleeve layer
Useful for morning breezes or cooler late-afternoon returns.
spring