About this tour
When Charlie from our team booked onto this shelling expedition from Goodland Boat Park, we headed out to Kice Island in Florida's Ten Thousand Islands—a stretch of remote barrier beaches you can only reach by water. The tour runs about three hours on the boat (four hours total), and it's genuinely focused on one thing: finding shells and understanding the creatures that lived in them. Our guide knew the territory and the marine life thoroughly, pointing out where to look and explaining what we were holding. It's a solid half-day for anyone keen on beachcombing without the usual tourist-spot crowds.
Highlights
- Boat-only access to remote shelling beaches most day-trippers miss
- Guide explains shell creatures' behaviours and tidal zone adaptations in real time
- Fully shaded boat with ample seating—crucial in Florida sun
- Cooler stocked with ice and water included; shelling bags provided
- Shallow enough for first-timers, engaging enough for seasoned collectors
- Quiet water, minimal crowds—feels genuinely off-the-beaten-path
- Morning departures catch best light and lowest tide windows
What to expect
You'll roll out from Goodland in a proper boat with shade cover and decent seating, then cruise about 15–20 minutes to Kice Island. Once there, the captain beaches the vessel and you've got a solid couple of hours to wade and walk the sand, digging for shells. The water's shallow—usually knee-deep or less—so mobility isn't demanding. Charlie found the guide genuinely knowledgeable; they didn't just point at shells but explained why certain species cluster in specific spots and what the ecosystem looks like beneath the surface. You'll fill your bag at your own pace, which feels relaxed rather than rushed. The boat ride back gives you time to sort through your haul.
Timing-wise, morning trips hit lower tides when the beach stretches widest, so you're working with better conditions. It's warm work, but the boat's shaded cabin and ice-cold water mean you can properly recover. There's no lunch included, so pack a sandwich if you want one.
Good to know
This is a genuine, low-key alternative to crowded beach days. The guide-led angle means you'll actually learn what you're collecting rather than just grabbing random shells. The boat is well-equipped—shade, seating, and coolers make the experience comfortable rather than arduous. It suits anyone from curious kids to serious shell enthusiasts; no special fitness required.
You'll pay a separate $10 parking fee at Goodland (not included). Lunch isn't provided, so bring snacks or eat beforehand. The beach walk involves wading and bending repeatedly—expect to get wet and sandy. Florida sun is fierce; bring sunscreen and a hat even with boat shade. Peak season (winter months) books up quickly. Group sizes vary, so you might share the boat with strangers. Access is weather-dependent; rough water or low tide windows can affect schedules.
Wear water shoes or sandals, swimsuit underneath, and sunscreen. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. The shelling bags are included, but a personal backpack for non-shell bits is handy. Tours depart early morning typically; confirm exact time when you book.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.