Barrier Island Shelling Tour: Intimate Shell-Hunting Experience

Embark on a three-hour Barrier Island shelling tour for an intimate and immersive shell-hunting experience. Discover rare shells like the Junonia with our knowledgeable guides. Book now!

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Kice Island - Known as the “shellers” paradise near Marco, Kice Island offers an abundance of beautiful shells along its gulf shore. Despite its challenging anchorage due to a shallow mangrove shoreline and exposure to wind and waves, our skilled captains and certified Florida Master Naturalist guides are adept at navigating these waters and…
What's Included
  • Complementary shelling bags
  • Cooler with Ice
  • Parking fees
What's Not Included
  • On-board restrooms
  • Food (Yes, you can bring your own food!)
  • Drinks (BYOB - please, no red wine!)
Additional Information

Barrier Island Shelling Tour
Embark on the Barrier Island Shelling Tour for an unparalleled shelling experience, perfect for those eager to find rare and exquisite seashells in pristine, secluded areas. This expertly guided boat tour transports you away from crowded beaches to prime shelling locations within the Ten Thousand Islands, where you can…

Location
220 Goodland Dr
Goodland Drive
Free parking across the street from Stan's Idle Hour Restaurant in the gravel lot behind the white fence. Our boats are located on the "Private Dock" behind our banner and flags.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(47 Ratings)
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Kriswp2049ew
Jul 18, 2026
Excellent - Great experience! Just wish it was longer and not so rushed! Thanks Nate!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roam54861739381
May 4, 2026
We had fun! - Capt. Gary was a pleasure! We had a really great time! Very good staff and operation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Markdk8349gu
Apr 28, 2026
Great experience - Captain Gary was great. Gave us a great tour from the water!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cbuano
Apr 13, 2026
Cb - Nate was great. We were the only ones on the tour. He tailored it to us which was great. Honey Bear is a sweetie.
Review provided by Viator
Happiness638452
Apr 10, 2026
Barrier Island tour - Great experience! Great tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wontstopmovin
Apr 4, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Perfect Anniversary Shelling Tour with Captain Gary! - We celebrated our 26th anniversary in Marco Island and decided to book a shelling tour—and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. Our captain, Gary Weeks, was truly the sweetest person and such a refreshing example of great service. It’s been a long time since we’ve experienced someone so attentive and passionate about what they do. From the moment we stepped on the boat, Gary explained everything clearly—where we were headed, how long it would take, and what we’d be doing. He’s fun, incredibly knowledgeable, and full of fascinating history as a 5th‑generation Marco Island historian and (I believe) 3rd‑generation fisherman. He’s run his own business and now shares his love for the area through shelling, dolphin‑watching, and historical tours. The boat ride itself was lovely—almost an hour of spotting dolphins, watching birds, and enjoying the peaceful water. When we arrived at Shell Island, we were blown away. The concentration of shells is unbelievable… truly millions. I filled a bag and a half and could’ve stayed there all day. It’s a dream for shell lovers and a great outing for families. Gary is laid‑back, helpful, and pointed us toward the best areas to explore. A few tips: bring water shoes (you won’t want to walk barefoot on all those shells), pack snacks and sunscreen, and remember there are no restrooms on the boat or the island. I also recommend choosing a morning tour since Florida afternoons often bring rain. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. If you’re visiting Marco Island, this tour—and Captain Gary—are absolutely worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
973bryannap
Apr 4, 2026
Shelling tour with Captain Nate - We had captain Nate and it was amazing! No complaints! His first mate honey bear is adorable. He found us amazing shells, sand dollars and dolphins! He knew the dolphins wanted to play and for 5 minutes had dolphins jumping through the wake of the boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Domenginee
Apr 2, 2026
Shells and Dolphins! - Nate was our Captain. Polite, knowledgeable and funny. He found an island with practically no one else there and we beached the boat and shelled for over an hour. Nate had his adorable puppy on board with us and he was a perfect addition to the ride. Saw a pod of dolphins on our way back to the marina. They road the wake from the boat! Fantastic site! Great day. Thank you Nate.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yrbaltimore
Jun 7, 2026
Shelling tour - for those new to Marco Island - We went on the shelling tour, captain was great, weather was wonderful, and boat trip was enjoyable. I think this trip would be great for those visiting the area for the first time - you get to explore and understand more about the wildlife, islands, etc. As we have been to the area many times, I expected to see some hidden shelling spots or learn more about the shelling tips and tricks, but unfortunately wasn’t able too. Again, great tour for newbies to the area though.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dream59835200722
Jun 29, 2026
Good shelling experience - This was our first visit to Marco Island and first shelling experience so we have nothing to compare it to. We feel the tour was overpriced but Captain Gary was pleasant and knowledgeable about the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $129
up to 6 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).