Private Sunset Eco Tour of Marco Island & Ten Thousand Islands — Sunset Cruise from Goodland
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; involves short beach walking and boarding a low‑freeboard boat
Overview
Board a private boat from Goodland and watch the Ten Thousand Islands light up at dusk. This 2.5‑hour sunset eco cruise combines dolphin sightings, a barrier island beach stop, and narrated local history for a relaxed coastal evening.
Private Sunset Eco Tour of Marco Island & Ten Thousand Islands — Sunset Cruise from Goodland
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The boat slips free of the dock with a soft shove and a hush falls across the water—the kind of hush that makes the colors of the sky feel deliberate. From Goodland’s small commercial pier you cut west into a web of mangrove islands and shallow channels, the horizon widening until the sun becomes a low, molten coin over the Gulf. On this private 2.5‑hour cruise, the hour before sunset is the engine and the main act: dolphins push through the wake, birds wheel into roost, and mangroves lean over the water as if to watch the show.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early for parking
Free parking is available behind the white fence across from Stan’s Idle Hour—plan to arrive 20–30 minutes early to load gear and settle in.
Bring sun and bug protection
Evening sun is strong; pack reef shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent for the barrier island stop.
Prepare for shallow water and wildlife etiquette
Keep kayaks/feet away from manatees and nesting birds and avoid throwing food to wildlife to prevent habituation.
Motion‑sickness precautions
If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding—the boat will move through shallow, choppy channels at times.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphin
- West Indian manatee
History
Marco Island’s beachfront transformed after 20th‑century dredging and development; Goodland remains a small fishing harbor with a long local maritime tradition.
Conservation
The Ten Thousand Islands are part of a National Wildlife Refuge—stay on designated routes, avoid disturbing mangrove roots, and pack out all trash to reduce impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Marco Island
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef shoes or sandals
Protects feet on shell‑strewn barrier islands and wet docks.
summer specific
Sun protection (hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, UV shirt)
Sun is strong during the approach to sunset, especially on reflective water.
summer specific
Light windbreaker
Temperatures and breezes cool quickly after sunset over the Gulf.
winter specific
Camera with zoom lens or smartphone with stabilization
Helps capture dolphins, birds and the low‑angle sunset from the boat.