Shelling Tours
Step onto remote barrier islands few ever reach and comb beaches piled with whelks, conchs, sand dollars — and the prized junonia.
- Private, untouched island beaches
- Expert local shelling guides
- Bring home a bucket of treasures
Naples, Marco Island & the Ten Thousand Islands
Your Gulf Coast
adventure starts here.
Hunt for rare shells on untouched barrier islands, chase wild dolphins across turquoise water, and watch the sun melt into the Gulf — all aboard a small-group cruise with a local captain who knows these waters by heart.
- 15+ years on the Gulf
- 50k+ happy guests
- 5.0★ average rating
- 100% licensed captains
🐬 Wild Dolphin Encounters
🐚 Rare Shells & Sand Dollars
🌅 Fiery Gulf Sunsets
⚓ Local USCG Master Captains
🏝️ Untouched Island Beaches
🐢 Sea Turtles & Manatees
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Fun
Pick Your Adventure
Tours built for unforgettable days
Whether you're here to fill a bucket with rare shells, photograph leaping dolphins, or toast the sunset, there's a Sand Dollar cruise with your name on it.
Dolphin & Wildlife Tours
Skim across the bay chasing wild bottlenose dolphins, then spot manatees, sea turtles, and dive-bombing pelicans. Cameras ready.
- Wild dolphins in their backyard
- Manatees, turtles & shorebirds
- Narrated by a local captain
Private Boat Tours
The boat, the captain, and the route are all yours. Mix shelling, dolphins, and sunset into one perfect custom day.
- Fully customizable itinerary
- Just your group — no strangers
- Perfect for any occasion
Sunset & Dinner Cruises
Cruise into golden hour as the sky catches fire, glass in hand. Add a catered dinner and make it a night to remember.
- Front-row seat to the sunset
- BYOB or add catering
- Romantic & celebration-ready
Naples & Port Royal
Cruise Naples Bay and the canals of Port Royal past Florida's most jaw-dropping waterfront mansions and mega-yachts — out to Gordon Pass, where the dolphins play.
- See the $20M+ waterfront estates
- Dolphins through Gordon Pass
- Calm, scenic & photogenic
Tiki Boat Tours
Cruise the bay island-style under our one-of-a-kind thatched roof — a private tiki boat built for the whole family, with rails all around and room for adults and kids of all ages.
- Designed for multigenerational families
- 39½″ safety rails all around
- Thatched-roof shade, seats & your tunes
Beach & Island Excursions
Land on a secluded Gulf island for swimming, sandcastles, shelling, and pure castaway bliss with the family.
- Private beach landing & swim
- Shells, sun & sandcastles
- Built for families & groups
Naples Water Shuttle
Skip the traffic and arrive by water. A breezy, scenic shuttle between Naples' best waterfront spots.
- Scenic point-to-point rides
- Beat the bridge traffic
- Dolphins on your commute
Fishing Charters
Wet a line with a captain who knows the honey holes. Bait, rods, and local know-how all included.
- Inshore & backcountry fishing
- Gear, bait & licenses included
- Snook, redfish, trout & more
Bachelorette Tours
Pop the bubbly and set sail for the ultimate girls' send-off — tunes, toasts, sandbar stops, and unforgettable photos.
- BYOB party on the water
- Island & sandbar stops
- Tunes, toasts & photo ops
Custom & Special Occasion Charters
Birthdays, proposals, anniversaries, reunions — tell us the dream and we'll build the whole day around it.
- Proposals, birthdays & reunions
- Décor & catering on request
- Your captain plans it all
See live dates, times & prices and reserve your seats below — jump to booking ↓
Your Playground
Where the adventure happens
We cast off from two marinas — San Marco Marina in Goodland and Naples Bay Resort & Marina in downtown Naples — then roam the islands, canals, and beaches of the Gulf. Tap a marker on the map to explore.
Naples & Marco Island, FL
Where we cruise
From two marinas we roam the whole coast. Pick your departure or a destination to dive into the details — from downtown Naples to the wild Ten Thousand Islands.
Naples, FLDowntown departures — Naples Bay, the Port Royal mansions, dolphins & Keewaydin.
Marco Island, FLGoodland departures — the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands & Cape Romano.
Keewaydin IslandThe roadless barrier island and best shelling beach, reachable only by boat.
Naples BayCalm-water sightseeing past yachts, Tin City and waterfront estates.
Port RoyalCruise Millionaire’s Row and its mega-yachts from the water.
Gordon PassThe inlet with the best dolphin watching in Naples.
Ten Thousand IslandsA wild mangrove wilderness of dolphins, manatees & remote shell beaches.
Near Bonita SpringsA short drive south to the best boating water on the coast.
Near EsteroAn easy day trip from Estero & Coconut Point.
Near Fort MyersWorth the drive south for wilder islands and better shelling.
Travel GuideLocal tips on shelling, dolphins, the best beaches & planning your trip.
Who’s Coming Aboard?
Plan by who’s aboard
Not sure which trip is right for your crew? Start here. We’ll point families, couples, groups and first-time visitors to the perfect tour.
Family Boat ToursCalm water, dolphins & beach time — the easiest family win in Naples.
Couples & Romantic CruisesSunsets, private charters & proposal-perfect moments on the Gulf.
Group Boat ToursBachelorettes, birthdays & reunions on a private boat — your crew, your day.
First-Time VisitorsNew to Naples? Here’s the perfect trip to start with, and what to expect.
Reserve Your Seats
Book your adventure
Live availability and instant confirmation for every tour. Pick your trip, choose a date, and you're all set — secure checkout powered by FareHarbor.
Who You'll Meet
What you'll see out there
These waters are bursting with life. Here are the locals you're most likely to run into.
Bottlenose Dolphins
Year-round residents who surf boat wakes for fun. We see them on the great majority of cruises.
Gentle Manatees
"Sea cows" graze the seagrass in warm shallows — slow, curious, and utterly lovable.
Sea Turtles
Loggerheads and greens cruise these passes. Spot a head popping up for air and make a wish.
Ospreys & Pelicans
Watch ospreys dive-bomb for fish and pelicans glide inches above the water in formation.
Rare Shells
Lightning whelks, fighting conchs, sand dollars — and if you're lucky, the prized junonia.
Plan Your Trip
The Gulf is glorious year-round
No bad time to visit — just different kinds of amazing. Here's what each Florida season brings to our corner of paradise.
Morning Low Tides
Winter
December – March
Perfect weather and the year's best morning low tides — including dramatic negative tides that leave the beaches piled with fresh-washed shells. Manatees cluster in the warm bays, and the prized junonia is always the dream find.
Dolphin Season
Spring
April – May
Warm water, glassy seas, and peak dolphin activity — including new calves! Shelling stays excellent and sea turtles begin to arrive. Our busiest season for good reason.
Sunset Season
Summer
June – September
Warm Gulf waters, dramatic sky colors, and sea turtle nesting on the beaches. Evening low tides set up magical sunset shelling, and our tiki cruises are pure magic. A favorite for bachelorette adventures.
Fishing Season
Fall
October – November
Cooler air, fewer crowds, and epic inshore fishing as snook and redfish go into full feed mode. Migrating birds fill the mangroves and shelling picks right back up.
🐬 Wild dolphins are spotted on nearly every cruise, all year long. The Gulf is always ready — check availability →
🐬
"The best day
of our whole trip."
The Harrelson Family · via Google
Why Sand Dollar
Not a cattle-boat. A real adventure.
Big tour operators pack you onto crowded decks and rush you back to the dock. We do it differently — small groups, local captains, and the freedom to chase whatever the Gulf gives us that day.
Captains who live here
Born-and-raised locals who know where the dolphins play and the best shells wash up.
Small groups, big space
No shoulder-to-shoulder decks. Room to move, see, and actually enjoy the ride.
Safe & fully licensed
USCG Master Captains, inspected boats, and a life jacket for every guest.
Made for memories
Families, couples, and first-timers welcome. We'll grab the photos so you don't have to.
From above
Paradise, from a different angle
Remote sandbars, turquoise shallows, and the wild beauty of the Ten Thousand Islands — this is where we take you.
Get out thereThe Real Thing
Moments on the water
Real shells, real dolphins, real sunsets — straight from our guests' adventures across the Ten Thousand Islands.
📸 Tag your shots #SandDollarBoatTours — we love reposting our guests!
Make It a Moment
Private celebrations on the Gulf
The best backdrop for the best days of your life. Charter the boat, choose your adventure, and we'll make it one for the books.
Bachelorette Parties
Sun, dolphins, good music, and the crew you love most. BYOB and bring the energy — we bring the boat and the best views in Florida.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Make the big day unforgettable with a private sunset cruise for your group. Decorations welcome — we'll get you to the most breathtaking views.
Romantic Proposals
Wild dolphins, a fiery Gulf sunset, and the question of a lifetime. Our captains have helped dozens of couples start their forever story right here.
Family Reunions & Milestones
Sweet sixteens to 50th anniversaries, the whole crew out on the water. A private Gulf charter is the memory your family will talk about for years.
Every private charter is customized for your group — size, marina, itinerary, and vibe. Just call and we'll plan it together.
Your Crew
Meet the captains
More than drivers — they're storytellers, naturalists, and the reason guests come back year after year.
Capt. Evan
Owner & Lead Captain · FL Master Naturalist
The owner and lead captain of Sand Dollar — and the reason it runs the way it does. Evan built these tours around small groups, deep local knowledge, and a genuine love for the Ten Thousand Islands.
Fun fact: Leads a crew of local captains and naturalists who know these islands by heart.
Capt. Joey Nadotti
Naples native · Shelling & dolphins
A born-and-raised Naples local with a deep love for these coastal waters. Joey's easygoing energy and local know-how make him a favorite for families chasing shells and playful dolphins.
Fun fact: Spends his days off shelling with his fiancée Taylor — and perfecting his golf game.
Capt. Jamie
FL Coastal Naturalist · Shell expert
One of only two full-time female captains working the Ten Thousand Islands. A Florida Coastal Naturalist who traded Michigan winters for paradise and never looked back.
Fun fact: 8 years of captaining — 5 of them mastering the maze of the Ten Thousand Islands.
Capt. Paul O'Neill
Naples Captain · Fan favorite
Our Naples captain fell for the Paradise Coast on a visit and never left. Warm, funny, and endlessly patient, Paul makes every guest feel like an old friend the moment they step aboard.
Fun fact: Has visited Ireland nine times — and once met the Dalai Lama on a boardwalk.
Capt. Paul Stancati
Marco Captain · Retired Navy
Our Marco Island captain — a retired Navy SeaBee and 30-year Marco Island PE teacher with saltwater in his veins. Decades on the water make him as steady a hand as you'll find on the Gulf.
Fun fact: A lifelong athlete who ran the 100th Boston Marathon and the Hawaii Ironman.
Capt. David Grunes
Personalized Adventures
A lifelong waterman who grew up summering on the lakes of Maine before working the New England coast from Block Island to Boothbay Harbor. He brings decades of experience and a love of personalized adventure to every charter.
Fun fact: Retired to Naples after a 30-year career as a firefighter.
Capt. Kerrick
Captain · SW Florida since 2002
Hooked on boating since 1984, when his family got their first boat on Long Island's Great South Bay. What began as a family pastime quickly became his life's passion.
Fun fact: Bought his very first boat at just 14 — with money earned mowing lawns.
Capt. Shawn Palmer
Captain · Seasoned mariner
Buffalo-born and endlessly curious, Shawn has chased fishing and boating across the country — from the beaches of Ocean City to the coast of Alaska and the waters of Hawaii.
Fun fact: Has traveled to all 50 states and worked nearly every U.S. coast.
Capt. Jonallen Velazquez
Angler & Sheller
A USCG Master Captain who grew up on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, spending most of his childhood on the water. He knows the maze of the Ten Thousand Islands intimately.
Fun fact: An avid fisherman and sheller, and a true Florida local.
Capt. Lauren Malinowski
Captain · Lifelong waterwoman
Raised on the shores of southeastern Connecticut, Lauren spent her childhood fishing, clamming, and crabbing along Long Island Sound. Her love of the water runs back generations.
Fun fact: Both her great-grandfather and grandfather made their living on the water.
First Mate Taylor
First Mate · Educator & naturalist
Born and raised in Florida, Taylor brings a true local's passion for the state's coastal wonders — and a warm, engaging energy that makes every guest feel welcome.
Fun fact: A microshelling enthusiast — and a proud Taylor Swift superfan.
First Mate Veronica
First Mate · FL Master Naturalist
A Miami-born South Florida native who now calls SWFL home. A former zookeeper turned environmental ecologist and certified Florida Master Naturalist, Veronica brings deep knowledge and infectious enthusiasm to every tour.
Fun fact: On the hunt for a blue-ribbon shell for the Sanibel Shell Show.
Our Boats
Meet the fleet
From a sleek luxury tritoon to a family-friendly tiki boat, we've got the right boat for every adventure. All locally kept, captain-driven, and Coast Guard-equipped with a life jacket for every guest.
✨ Premium tritoon
👨👩👧👦 Family tritoon
👥 Up to 26
👥 Up to 19
🚤 Naples shuttle
🎣 Fishing & shelling
Easy as 1-2-3-4
How your day on the water works
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01
Pick your tour
Choose shelling, dolphins, sunset, or a private charter and book online in under a minute.
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02
Meet at the dock
Arrive 15 minutes early, meet your captain, grab a life jacket, and hop aboard.
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03
Cruise the islands
Glide into the Ten Thousand Islands while your captain finds the day's best spots.
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04
Make memories
Shells in your bucket, dolphins on camera, sun on your face. Back to the dock all smiles.
Guest Love
Five stars, time after time
Had an amazing trip? Your review helps other families find us — and means the world to our captains. 🙏
Go Deeper
Explore our field guides
Hundreds of local guides to the shells, wildlife, fish, beaches and islands of Naples & Marco Island.
Seashell IdentificationID every shell on our islands, species by species.
Shelling BeachesThe best shelling beaches, boat-only islands first.
Wildlife of SW FloridaDolphins, manatees, sea turtles & shorebirds.
Inshore Fish SpeciesSnook, redfish, tarpon & what’s biting.
DestinationsEvery island, pass & landmark we explore.
When to VisitMonth-by-month water & perfect-day plans.
Shelling How-To & TidesClean shells, read the tide, shell legally.
Fishing GuidesWhen, where & how to fish our backwaters.
Good to Know
Questions, answered
Everything you need to know before you cast off. Still curious? Give us a call.
Will we really see dolphins?
Wild bottlenose dolphins call these waters home, and our captains know exactly where they like to play. Sightings happen on the vast majority of our cruises — and your captain will do everything they can to find them for you.
Are your tours family- and kid-friendly?
Absolutely. Our small-group cruises are perfect for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. Kids love spotting dolphins and hunting for shells, and every passenger is provided a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
What should I bring and wear?
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, and a camera. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you don't mind getting sandy — on shelling trips you'll be walking the beaches of remote barrier islands.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. If your captain has to cancel for weather, you'll be offered a reschedule or a full refund. Light clouds or a passing shower usually make for a beautiful, comfortable day on the water.
Where do we meet and is there parking?
We depart from two marinas, both with on-site parking:
- San Marco Marina — 604 E Palm Ave, Goodland, FL 34140 (just off Marco Island; serves Ten Thousand Islands & shelling tours)
- Naples Bay Resort & Marina — 1500 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102 (serves Naples Bay & Port Royal tours)
Your exact dock, captain's name, and any tour-specific directions land in your booking confirmation email. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early.
Can I book a private charter?
Yes! Private charters are perfect for families, friends, birthdays, and special occasions. You choose the adventure — shelling, dolphins, sunset, or a mix — and the boat is all yours. Reserve online or call us to customize.
Follow @sanddollarshelling for daily dolphin sightings, rare shells & Gulf sunsets.
For Someone Special
Give the gift of the Gulf 🎁
The perfect present for birthdays, holidays, Father's Day, or that person who has everything — because they've never had this. Digital gift cards, instant delivery, valid on any tour.
Buy a Gift CardThe Gulf is calling
Ready to set sail?
Spots fill fast in season. Lock in your shelling, dolphin, or sunset cruise today and get ready for the best day of your trip.