
Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 541 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour worth booking?
Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour is a 2-hour experience in Naples, United States, from $98 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 541 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (541)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $98 per person
You will be safely brought deep into the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge for a two-hour interpretive tour of the area led by a Florida Master Naturalist. Depending on the season, you can expect to encounter manatees, dolp
What you get
About this experience
You will be safely brought deep into the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge for a two-hour interpretive tour of the area led by a Florida Master Naturalist. Depending on the season, you can expect to encounter manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, pelicans, rosette spoonbills, as well as, numerous species of fish and shore birds. You will visit an uninhabited barrier island where you can collect shells, sand dollars and other treasures! Note: June through October, we suggest the morning experiences due to the weather.
What's included
Included
- We provide Captain and all necessary safety equipment.
- Bags for your shells.
Not included
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
- Parking fees
What you'll see and do
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Consisting of two parts, The Dolphin, Birding and Shelling Tour is a wonderful experience for the whole family and a great introduction to the area. First a dolphin tour to search for dolphins and wading birds on a naturalist-led boating tour. Then a shelling tour to explore an uninhabited barrier island. You will learn about island’s beach dynamics and collect some of the wonderful shells on these remote islands.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Naples
Please meet to the left of the building under the covered pavilion.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please meet to the left of the building under the covered pavilion.
Options you can book
Early Bird Special
Early Bird
Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Everglades Area Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 541 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
541 verified traveler reviews for Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful trip!
Love the tour!! Kim and Joe are excellent guides. The shelling is extraordinary. Found my first ever sandollar out in the wild. Bring a hat and sunscreen!!
via Viator
Nice tour but too short!
We had a great dolphin /shelling (40min.) trip but at the end we run out of time on the 2h trip. It felt kind of a hustle. In my opinion the tour should be 30min. longer to have more time to enjoy the few dolphins we sighted.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your honest review. We do offer a 3.5 hour tour that goes to multiple islands and can spend more time exploring the 10,000 Islands. If you're back in the area soon you should come check our excursion out!
via Tripadvisor
Best Experience During Our Vacation!
We were really looking forward to the boat cruise, shelling and seeing dolphins and manatees. What a great experience! Our guide was Captain Mike. He is very knowledgeable about the history of the area, they types of shells and different marine life and birds of the area. I did the cruise with my 2 sisters. We are from up north and rarely get the chance to go on a boat, so this was so much fun for us! I would definitely do this again when we come back! 10 out of 10 stars to you, Captain Mike!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy you all had a great time with Captain Mike. He loves to share his passion and knowledge with everyone that comes out. Thank you for the 10 out of ten and we home to see you all back soon!!
via Viator
Recommend this tour over and over again
We were with Captain Clay; he was witty, knowledgable, safe, respectful of the area. He interacted well with the kids and we had a fantastic time. Beautiful area and would love to visit again. Gabe, Ashleigh, Preston, and Kennedy
Response from the operator: Thank you for the great review! We are glad you all had a great time. Please come back soon!
via Tripadvisor
Great day in Ten Thousand Islands
What a great tour!! Kevin U was the best captain! Very knowledgeable, courteous, and fun! We got to see things in the ten thousand islands first hand and the dolphins surfing with us was priceless. Five dolphins behind the boat surfing was amazing. The shelling was great! When we come back we are requesting Captain Kevin! Bring mosquito spray for the wait in the parking lot!!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the lovely review, James. There's nothing like watching the dolphins jumping behind the boat. So glad you all had a great time with Captain Kevin. Hope to have you all back soon!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $98 to $112
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 189
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Naples.
How much does Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour cost?
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Prices start at $98 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Naples usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Naples is not rushed.
Is Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 541 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Naples, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour?
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Around 189 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Naples can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Naples and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Naples within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Naples?
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Naples is the launch point for Everglades airboat rides and Ten Thousand Islands boat tours, along with shelling trips, sunset sails off the pier and small-group food walks downtown. On Outty we rank every Naples experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Marco Island and Naples Pedal or Paddle Kayak Tour, Mangrove Tunnels & Mudflats Kayak Tour - Local Biologist Guides, Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Naples?
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November to April, the dry season with the best wildlife viewing. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Naples?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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