Things to do in

Ten Thousand Islands, Florida

On this 2-hour tour near Marco Island, explore the Ten Thousand Islands with a Florida Master Naturalist Guide. Enjoy the wild dolphin show before visiting an uninhabited barrier island beach to collect shells and other treasures. Depending on the season, expect to see manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, pelicans, alligators, rosette spoonbills, and numerous species of fish and shorebirds. Learn about the Everglades eco-systems, flora and fauna, rich heritage, and long history. The area's wildlife moves around so each tour is different. Many species are seasonal and inhabit different areas depending on environmental conditions. Be sure to bring your camera, binoculars, sunglasses, snacks, favorite drinks, a hat, and towels. Note: June through October, we suggest the morning experiences due to the weather.

After pickup from your hotel enjoy a narrated tour enroute to to Everglades National Park. Embark on an exhilarating 75 minute airboat ride way out into the "River of Grass" . Visit a Native American tree island village only accessible from the airboat. Learn about how and why the native Americans survived in this harsh environment. Visit the pristine region of Everglades National Park known as the 10,000 Islands via a 80 minute boat trip. You will venture out to a remote island and have the chance to explore a bit on your own. On this mangrove adventure cruise you can see pods of dolphins, manatees, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, sawfish, sea turtles and more. Your adventure will end with a relaxing guided walk to a beautiful Cypress Dome where you can spot alligatrs, turtles and see very rare plants including bromeliads and native orchids. This trip includes a delicious lunch (order of the menu) with vegetarian and vegan options. Other highlights inlcude a stop a historic trading post, the smallest post office in the US, and visit the art gallery of a famous local artist. Get dropped off at your hotel, the airport, or cruise port to end your amazing experience. We can store your luggage with us during the day.

Paddle down the beautiful waterways of Cocoa Beach and get an up close and personal experience with the amazing nature, beauty and wildlife that Florida has to offer. During your tour, be on the lookout for Dolphins, Manatees, Sea Turtles, live Conch, Pelicans, Mangroves, pink spoonbills, and much more. Stop at one of the beautiful islands as your guides go over the interesting history of the town. Enjoy a visit to Banana River Manatee Refuge, Florida. There are only a few places in the world where you can see the West Indian Manatees and the Banana River Manatee Refuge is one of them. Often you will be able to see large groups of manatees and dolphins in this area making it one of the best places to paddle board or kayak in all of Florida. Pass by the Thousand Islands Conservation Area, a 338-acre site located on the Banana River adjacent to Cocoa beach which consists of a series of islands in the Indian River Lagoon. The Conservation area is made up of over 1000 small islands, most only accessible by boat or kayak. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including storks, dolphins, manatees, Roseate Spoonbills, as well as rare and endangered tropical plants. Pass by this area for an exciting 30-minutes.

Experience the natural beauty of Everglades National Park's Ten Thousand Islands. Your knowledgeable guides will enrich your journey with insights into the ecosystem and local history. Experience this natural wonder aboard a comfortable 45-foot pontoon boat with partial shade, perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and those eager to discover the unique beauty of Florida’s coastal wilderness. Begin your tour on the Barron River, viewing the famous historic buildings of Everglades City. Then cruise into Chokoloskee Bay and the Ten Thousands Islands within the Park. Take in the breathtaking scenery while guides explain the cultural history and the varied wildlife, which may include manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, and many species of birds. Don't forget to stroll through a mangrove forest on the Everglades City Boardwalk, trying to spot raccoons, alligators, manatees, and more. When you've finished your tour, feel free to purchase food and refreshments at the ticket counter.

Reach parts of the Ten Thousand Islands that boats just can't get to, on a guided jet ski tour. Search for dolphins and birds, and visit the pristine waters of Rookery Bay as you ride the waves on the back of a jet ski. Discover the rich wildlife and diverse ecosystems of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the everglades. Zip in and around the small uninhabited islands that make up the chain of islands known as the Ten Thousand Islands. Pass small islands overgrown with red mangroves and see the rich ecosystem the unique archipelago is famous for. See an array of wildlife in and around the water, including the elegant Great Blue Herons and Egrets in their natural habitat. Jet across the calm water, passing oyster flats, and small sandy beaches. Ride your jet ski to Rookery Bay National Reserve which stretches across 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forest, uplands, and protected waters. Keep an eye on the water for playful dolphins in the larger bays. Local resident Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins use this area to hunt for their meals, play with each other or catch up on their sleep. They share the waters with manatees and w wide variety of other marine life.

With this two-hour Marco Island Sightseeing and Shelling Tours you will experience one of the most popular adventures we are known for. Departing from Goodland Boat Park just East of Marco Island, enjoy a cruise through the 10,000 Islands, made up entirely of mangrove trees. These islands are home to a large variety of beautiful birds. Keep your eyes peeled on the water as this area is home to resident dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, rays, and sharks. After you cruise through the islands you will stop on a private beach in search of the most exotic sea shells that the Gulf Coast is famous for. This is a semi-private or private tour. Boats are very kid friendly, with comfortable seating and a ladder for easy boarding. The Gulf Coast of Florida has a lot to offer when it comes to hidden and not so hidden coastal treasure hunts. This guided boat tour will take you to a deserted beach where you will find beautiful shells that you will take home with you as a Marco Island souvenir. Among the most popular ones we can name the Banded Tulip, the Clam Shell, the Coquina Clam Shells, the Cowry Shell, the Florida Fighting Conch, the Lightning Whelk, the Lined Moon Snail Shell, the Murex Shell, the Oyster Shell, the Ribbed Cantharus Shell, the Scallop Shell, the Scotch Bonnet Shell, and the Turret Shell. Tell us what’s your favorite and we will find it during the tour!

Dive deep into the tropical Floridian scenery with a scenic boat tour through numerous islands. Departing from Goodland, cruise through the Ten Thousand Islands and Marco Island, and discover the species that call this place home. See playful dolphins swimming in the wild. Board your boat in Goodland and allow your guide to teach you all about Marco Island, including its history, flora, and fauna. Identify a variety of birds as you sail, like the snowy egret, blue heron, and roseate spoonbill. Depending on the time of year, you may also spot manatees and sea turtles. Travel through the fascinating environment of Marco Island and the neighboring Ten Thousand Islands, surrounded by lush vegetation and crystal-clear water. Spot the resident dolphins, who live in the region year-round, and learn about them from your guide. End your tour back at the starting point.

Explore the subtropical wilderness of the Everglades on an Everglades Day Safari. The safari includes narrated transportation from Fort Lauderdale to the four main ecosystems of the Everglades. Tours depart from the Tesla Supercharging Stations at Galleria Mall (2352 Northeast 9th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304) at 7:15am or Flamingo Gardens Botanical Gardens (3750 South Flamingo Road, Davie) at 7:45am. Once in the Everglades, board an airboat and glide across the "River-of-Grass" through the shallow waters of the sawgrass prairies. Returning to dry land, embark on a wildlife drive into Big Cypress National Preserve where we explore the ancient cypress swamps of the Everglades backcountry searching for alligators, turtles, and birds. Stroll through Big Cypress and see bromeliads, orchids, coco plums, and a wide variety of flora that make up the marshes and swamps of the wilderness. During the afternoon break you will enjoy an excellent lunch at a waterside restaurant in the heart of the Everglades. Selections range from grilled shrimp, blackened Mahi, fried chicken sandwiches, and burgers to salads. Finally, take a relaxing scenic boat ride into the mangrove forest of Everglades National Park. The cruise navigates the shallow, mangrove-lined waters of the 10,000 Islands looking for manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, osprey and a variety of other marine life thrive here.

Enjoy a magical sunset cruise in Naples, Florida and tour the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Meet your guide at the Port of the Islands Marina to begin your cruise. Jump aboard the cruise, relax and enjoy the calming waters as you head through the Everglades to the 10,000 islands to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico waters. See manatees, alligators, dolphins, and birds along the way. Stop at Whitehorse Key, an uninhabited island for beach time and light shelling. Love mother nature and animals? Well, this is the perfect place for you. Relax, unwind, and enjoy a night watching the sun go down.

Learn the fine art of shell collecting on the remote barrier island beaches of Florida’s 10,000 Islands, and escape the shelling hordes of Marco Island and Captiva. Make your own way to Goodland Boating Park to climb aboard a boat that will take you to remote beaches that have not been picked over by others. Few shell collectors know about - or can get to - the beaches of these islands, resulting in pristine shelling opportunities. Touring in small groups, you will be led by a shelling guide with decades of experience. Learn about the nuances of the tide, winds, and locations that affect shelling, and the life cycle and habitat of different species. Your guide even has the knack of finding the Gulf Coast's most prized shell treasure; the junonia! Note: June through October, we suggest the morning experiences due to the weather.