Kiddometer
HomeResortsHotel ReviewsFamily ActivitiesYour Itinerary
Back to Naples

Private Shelling and Dolphin Excursion

5.0 ★ · 378 reviews · from USD475

Private Shelling and Dolphin Excursion

Our private excursion allows you to enjoy the beautiful waters of The 10,000 Islands without the crowds of tourists at a comparable price. Guest enjoy watching wild dolphins up close before stopping at secluded barrier islands covered in exotic sea shells. Expect to go home with buckets full of shells, the perfect souvenir for you and the family! Our private 2.5 hour trip is the perfect duration for families with kids as well as friends to experience The 10,000 Islands!

Check Availability
5.0 ★ · 378 reviews
  • Captains Matt, Derek, Tyler, Kasey, Jeff, and others are named repeatedly across reviews, with guests consistently praising their knowledge of the local ecosystem, history, and wildlife — many note that the captains actively helped passengers find shells, answered every question, and went out of their way to position the boat so dolphins would ride the wake.
  • Dolphin encounters are a consistent highlight, with reviewers describing dolphins jumping in the boat's wake, swimming directly beneath the vessel, and surfacing within feet of passengers — several reviews mention spotting a mother and baby dolphin pair, and one group watched a pod breach so close they were splashed.
  • The shelling stops draw strong praise, with guests describing sandbars loaded with shells and returning home with bags and buckets full — reviewers also mention finding sand dollars, and multiple captains are called out for helping passengers identify species and locate the best finds.
  • Beyond dolphins and shells, several reviewers mention unexpected wildlife sightings including manatees, ospreys, pelicans, and at least one shark, adding to the sense that the tour delivers more than advertised.
  • Families across a wide age range report a great fit — reviewers specifically mention toddlers as young as 1, young children ages 3–10, school-age kids, teenagers, and even grandparents and elders, with multiple guests noting that captains were especially patient and attentive with little ones aboard.
  • At least one reviewer flagged a meeting point mismatch between Viator's directions and the operator's instructions, though they noted the company's direct communication resolved the confusion — and a handful of reviewers praised the team's proactive outreach around weather, including rescheduling in advance to secure better conditions.

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor.

✓ Buckets and bags for your shells

✓ Bottled water

✓ Cooler filled with ice

✕ Snacks

✕ Parking fee is $10

✕ Towels

1

2 hrs

While experiencing the biggest mangrove forrest in the United States, guests can expect remote islands littered with shells, wild dolphins swimming by the boat, and learn all about the ecosystem and history of the area.

Please wait by the picnic tables next to the blue and white marina building. Your captain will meet you there.