Private Barrier Island Shelling Tour from Marco Island — Hunt Junonia and Rare Shells in the Ten Thousand Islands

Goodland•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

2.5 hours

Fitness Level

Moderate level of fitness: able to walk across uneven sand, wade in shallow water, and stand for stretches on the boat.

Overview

Launch from Goodland and let experienced captains steer you into the Ten Thousand Islands for a 2.5‑hour private shelling tour that targets rare finds like the Junonia. Expect shallow sand spits, mangrove estuaries, and a hands-on lesson in coastal conservation.

Private Barrier Island Shelling Tour from Marco Island — Hunt Junonia and Rare Shells in the Ten Thousand Islands

Other

Sightseeing Tour

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Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The boat slips free of the dock and the island horizon slides forward—mangrove trunks scraping the shallow map of water, gulls pivoting like punctuation above. Offshore, the gulf is a pocket of glass or a quick chop depending on the day, and your captain noses the craft toward a narrow sand spit where shells have been turning up for generations.

Adventure Photos

Private Barrier Island Shelling Tour from Marco Island — Hunt Junonia and Rare Shells in the Ten Thousand Islands photo 1

Adventure Tips

Check the tide schedule

Low to mid tides concentrate shells on exposed sand flats—book morning departures around low tide for the best finds.

Wear water-friendly shoes

Expect walking through shallow surf and over mangrove stumps; reef sandals or neoprene booties protect feet and improve traction.

Bring sun protection and water

Florida sun is intense even on a breeze—use reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and carry a refillable bottle; shade on the boat is limited.

Know shell collection rules

Only take empty, uninhabited shells and avoid disturbing live animals or nesting areas; guides will point out fragile zones.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Bottlenose dolphin
Least tern and other shorebirds

History

The Ten Thousand Islands were shaped by sea-level rise and were seasonally used by the Calusa people; modern shelling culture grew alongside Southwest Florida’s fishing and boating communities.

Conservation

This estuarine system is sensitive—collect responsibly, avoid disturbing live animals, and follow guides’ direction to protect nesting birds and seagrass beds.