2 hours · Up to 6
Wild Dolphin Boat Tour
The resident pods in the estuary.
| Adult | $99 |
|---|---|
| Child | $85 |
Editorial spotlight · 220 Goodland Drive, Goodland
2026 Sunshine Awards nomineeBest Shelling Guide
Florida Island Tours
A six-passenger skiff, a captain who is also a certified Master Naturalist, and the barrier islands south of Marco where the shells wash up by the ton. Shelling lessons and bags come with the trip; dolphins, manatees, ospreys and sea turtles come with the water.
- Shelling tour
- $129
- Private, up to 6
- from $500
- 5.0
- Reviews
- 315
Editorial spotlight. Florida Island Tours is a nominee in the 2026 Sunshine Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The operation
Captain Nate, and a boat that drafts almost nothing
Captain Nate Lapierre grew up in New Hampshire and, by his own account, made a pact with his brother at twelve to come back to Florida and work on the water. He holds a US Coast Guard 100-ton master’s licence, certification as a Florida Master Naturalist and an Oregon Master Naturalist, CPR and first aid, and an FWC vessel livery operator credential.
The boat is a 26-foot Carolina Skiff 258 DLV with a 200-horsepower Yamaha, which he reckons he has run more than 600 days across Cape Romano, Marco Island, the Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf. Six guests is the cap on every trip, public or private. The dock is at 220 Goodland Drive, across from Stan’s Idle Hour.
“Visit desolate islands covered in shells.”
- NL
Captain, USCG 100-ton master
Nate Lapierre
Credentials as listed on the operator’s captain page: Florida and Oregon Master Naturalist, CPR and first aid, FWC vessel livery operator.
The one to book
Barrier Island Shelling Tour
Two and a half hours out to the islands only reachable by boat, with complimentary shell bags and an actual lesson in where to look and what you are holding. Junonias, lion’s paws and horse conchs all turn up on this stretch.
Adults are $129, children $99, and the same trip goes private for six at $625. The half-day Super Shelling run is $199.
| Adult | $129 |
|---|---|
| Child | $99 |
| Private, up to 6 | $625 |
Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
Check AvailabilityThe boat
A 26-foot Carolina Skiff
Per the captain’s page.
Hull
- Make
- Carolina Skiff 258 DLV
- Length
- 26 ft
Power
- Engine
- Yamaha 200 hp
- Days run
- 600 plus
Guests
- Cap
- 6 on every trip
- Included
- Shell bags and lessons
Book it
Tours
Public seats per person; private charters per boat for up to six. Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
2.5 hours · Up to 6
Island Paradise Eco Tour
Dolphins, shelling and birding with beach time.
| Adult | $129 |
|---|---|
| Child | $99 |
2 hours · Up to 6
Best of Marco Island Tour
The estuary, the waterfront and the back bays.
| Adult | $99 |
|---|---|
| Child | $85 |
2.5 hours · Up to 6
Sunset Boat Tour
The Ten Thousand Islands at last light, with a beach stop.
| Adult | $129 |
|---|---|
| Child | $99 |
Half day · Up to 6
Half-Day Super Shelling Tour
The long version, for people who are serious about it.
| Adult | $199 |
|---|---|
| Child | $149 |
4 hours · Private
4hr Private Boat Tour
Your own itinerary, up to six aboard.
| Up to 6 | $1,000 |
|---|
Before you go
Know before you go
Departure
220 Goodland Drive, Goodland, across from Stan’s Idle Hour. About ten minutes from Marco Island.
Group size
Six guests, every trip. Larger parties need a second boat.
Shelling
Bags and lessons are included; the best shelling is on a falling tide.
Private rates
Two hours $500, two and a half $625, three $750, four $1,000, six $1,500, eight $2,000.
Reviews
What guests say
- 5.0Google315 reviews as of October 2, 2026
- 6GuestsEvery trip, public or private
- 100-tonLicenceUSCG master, plus Master Naturalist
Reviewers name Captain Nate and a Captain John, praise the wildlife knowledge and the shelling instruction, and mention dolphins riding the wake.
Questions
Good to know
Where does it leave from?
220 Goodland Drive, Goodland, across from Stan’s Idle Hour.
What does it cost?
$99 for the dolphin tour, $129 for shelling, eco and sunset trips. Checked October 2, 2026.
How many can come?
Six on every trip. A bigger group needs a second boat.
Are shell bags provided?
Yes, along with instruction on where to look.
Six aboard, islands only reachable by boat
Dolphins at $99, shelling at $129, the whole boat from $500.
Check Availability