Private Island Eco Tour: Dolphins, Shelling & Birding from Marco Island
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires basic mobility for boarding and short beach walks
Overview
A private 2.5-hour eco boat tour from Marco Island through the Ten Thousand Islands—expect dolphin encounters, guided shelling stops and expert birding in Rookery Bay. Ideal for families and nature lovers seeking a calm, educational marine escape.
Private Island Eco Tour: Dolphins, Shelling & Birding from Marco Island
Select participants and date
The morning you meet the captain at 220 Goodland Dr, the Gulf is still cool and the sky leans pale. The boat slips away from a small gravel lot behind Stan’s Idle Hour and within minutes the shoreline shrinks—marinas give way to tangled green, and the Ten Thousand Islands open like a map of channels and beaches. Dolphins appear as punctuation marks in the water, arcing and breaking the sunlit skin of the Gulf; pelicans ride the wake, and the mangroves stand on stilts, daring you to look closer.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
The Florida sun reflects off the water—use reef‑safe sunscreen to protect skin and the marine environment.
Take seasickness precautions
If you’re sensitive to motion, take medication before boarding; mid-morning and afternoon trips can be choppier than early departures.
Pack light layers
A windbreaker is handy for cooler boat breezes and sudden showers during summer storms.
Respect shelling rules
Collect only empty shells and stay away from nesting shorebirds—guides will point out appropriate beaches.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphins
- Brown pelican
History
The Ten Thousand Islands and Goodland have long histories of fishing and shelling; indigenous Calusa peoples once navigated these channels and built shell mounds across the region.
Conservation
The area is protected by the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Rookery Bay Reserve; keeping beaches clean and using reef‑safe products helps preserve habitat.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Marco Island
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects skin and reduces harm to marine life.
summer specific
Binoculars
Good for spotting birds, dolphins and distant landmarks like Cape Romano.
Light windbreaker
Blocks wind off the Gulf, which can feel cool even on sunny days.
winter specific
Non‑slip sandals or water shoes
Useful for stepping ashore on shelling beaches and scrambling over wet sand.
summer specific