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Marco Island Boat Tours

Experience all SW Florida has to offer on one of our exclusive Marco Island boat tours – barrier island beaches, the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge, dolphins, shelling, and more!

the highest rated dolphin boat tour on Marco Island

We had a great time with Capt Nate and Capt Jules from Florida Island Tours; they were very informative and provided an amazing experience! They took us to The Dome House and shelling. We were also so lucky to see dolphins and manatees along the way. We highly recommend this tour and will definitely come back soon.

Lorena S.Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Top-rated Marco Island Boat Tours

Let our expert captains take you safely through an exhilarating boat trip through the Ten Thousand Islands. Learn about this natural treasure while being entertained by our certified Florida Master Naturalist tour guides.

What kind of boat tour will you go on?

Dolphins  –  Sightseeing  –  Shelling  –  Eco-tour

Sunset  –  Private  –  Birds  –  Wildlife  –  History

Our most popular boat tours

Wild Dolphin Boat Tour

See abundant wildlife on a boat ride through the 10,000 Islands. 2 hours.

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Best of Marco Island Boat Tour

Sightseeing cruise through Marco and the 10000 Islands. 2 hours.

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10,000 Islands Eco Boat Tour

View wildlife, and visit a barrier island beach to sun, swim, and shell. 2.5 hours.

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Sunset Boat Tour

Bring some snacks and drinks and enjoy a perfect sunset cruise on Marco Island. 2 hours.

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Marco Island is best enjoyed on the water!

Leave the driving to us and enjoy your day in the backwaters of the mangrove islands, barrier island beaches, and the gently rolling waves of the Gulf of Mexico.

More options for Marco Island boat tours

Private Tours

Our private tours are fully customizable to suit your party’s needs. Up to six people.

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Shelling Tours

Florida’s best shelling is here around Marco and the 10,000 Islands.

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Specialty Tours

We also offer several specialty tours that are available seasonally for private groups.

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Choosing the best Marco Island boat tours

Two girls with a penshell on a Marco Island shelling tourWith so many charter companies and boat tour operators on Marco Island, how do you pick the best one? We’d recommend checking a couple of things before you book.

Boat Tour Questions:

  1. Does the company offer certified naturalist tour guides?
  2. Are their captains certified master captains with the Coast Guard?
  3. Do they have decades of experience navigating the local waters?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more you know about the tour, the more confident you can be that you’re making the right decision. You can ensure a safe and enjoyable boat tour experience by asking the right questions.

Most questions should be answered on our FAQ page. You can always call us with any questions, but here are some common answers to questions you may have.

Common boat tour questions

  • Is there any shade or protection from the sun? All of our boats have fully shaded passenger seating areas.
  • What type of boat tour is it? Our boat tours are fun but educational and appropriate for all ages.
  • How long is the tour? Our Marco Island boat tours can range from 2 to 8 hours. The most common tour lengths are 2 and 2.5 hours.
  • What is the itinerary? Although each specific tour has a general itinerary, the actual route depends on the weather conditions, tide, and the captain’s safety protocols.
  • What is the price? Pricing depends on the length and type of tour. Specific pricing can be found in the online booking calendar. We also publish our full pricing schedule here.
  • What is the cancelation policy? Cancelations happen. We always try our best to reschedule when plans go awry. Full refunds are given for 48 hours’ notice or severe weather. Find more information about the cancelation policy here.
  • What happens if the weather is bad? We do not cancel for light rain, but we do for lighting and small craft advisories. Learn more about bad weather here.
  • Is the boat safe and well-maintained? Our fleet of custom-built vessels is fully maintained by professional technicians and held to the highest requirements of the US Coast Guard regulations.
  • What is the crew’s experience? Florida Island Tours is proud to have one of the top crews operating out of Marco Island. Our captains, guides, and mates have immense experience working the waters and informing and entertaining our guests.
  • Are food and drinks provided? We do not provide food or drinks. There is a cooler with ice for guest use. You are encouraged to bring water, snacks, food, and drinks for your excursion. Alcohol is permitted, but no red wine.
  • Are there any age restrictions? Although there are no age restrictions, we recommend infants under 30 pounds stay at home. Life vests are provided for children under age 6.
  • What should I bring on the tour? Good items to bring are:
    • Sunscreen (lotion, please no spray sunscreen on the boat)
    • Sunglasses (polarized)
    • Sun hat
    • Camera or smartphone
    • Snacks and drinks
    • Alcohol (if desired)
    • Light jacket or raincoat
    • Towel (to sit on or for swimming
  • Is there a restroom on board? There is no bathroom on the boat, so use the bathroom at the marina before your tour!

Deciding on the best Marco Island boat tour

Once you’ve found some Marco Island boat tours and chosen the best company you feel confident in, the next step is to decide what you want to do. With so many fun things to do on Marco Island, you’ll want to plan your day on the boat to check all of your boxes.

When you are ready to book your tour:

  1. PLive starfish on the sandbars near Dickman's Pointrioritize what you want to do. Make sure you are choosing a suitable tour for your needs. For example, if you want to see dolphins and go shelling, these may not happen on the same tour.
  2. Talk to your potential tour guide. Give them a call and see if they can meet your needs.
  3. Book a private tour. Your captain can better meet your needs when no multiple parties are on the boat.
  4. Read the reviews! Reviews on Google and TripAdvisor are your best friend for figuring out who to go out on the boat with and who to wave goodbye to at the dock — trust in what other people have said after going out on the tour you want to book.
  5. Press the BOOK NOW button! Don’t wait too long. Busy holidays and vacation weeks fill up fast. You don’t want to miss the perfect vacation boat tour experience.

Meet our Fleet of Vessels

Welcome Aboard Salty Lady II

Custom-built, the perfect small family
tour boat for Marco Island.

  • 2019 26′ Carolina Skiff 258 DLV

  • Safety handrails

  • Easy to get on and off the boat

  • Large Shaded Passenger Bimini

  • Comfortable padded seating

  • Plenty of room – Rated for up to 18 passengers

  • Yeti Cooler (Ice Provided)

  • Infinity Bluetooth stereo

  • Suzuki 200hp SS 4-stroke outboard motor

Meet the Beach Girl!

Additional room for
larger families and shared charters.

  • 2004 28′ Carolina Skiff 2790 Extra Wide

  • Safety handrails

  • Easy to get on and off the boat

  • Large Shaded Passenger Bimini

  • Comfortable padded seating

  • Plenty of room – Rated for up to 22 passengers

  • Yeti Cooler (Ice Provided)

  • Bluetooth stereo

  • Suzuki 200hp 4-stroke outboard motor

Every Boat Tour is
Custom-tailored to Meet your Needs.

Our knowledgeable captains and guides are experts on the local area, history, and wildlife. Every effort will be made to make your boat tour memorable, informative, and fun!

About UsAbout Us

Master Captain

Our captains are US Coast Guard certified master captains in good standing.

Master Naturalists

A University of Florida certified Master Naturalist guide fully narrates every tour.

Local Knowledge

Also, the area is constantly changing, but we know where to find dolphins, rare shells, and more.

Jody M.Minnetonka, MN

This was, hands down, the highlight of our vacation. Thanks for making our Marco vacation something we will always remember.

Paul P.Charlotte, NC

We were the only people on the island and were able to collect more shells than we ever imagined.

Suzie L.Trenton, NJ

The captains are a wealth of knowledge about the history of Marco & the plants & abundant wildlife.

Isabelle E.Miami, FL

Learned a lot about the history of this area and got to see playful dolphins. I would really recommend it.

Ready to book your Marco Island boat tour?

Door-to-door Shuttle Van

Our dedicated boat tour shuttle van will bring your group to the boat park

We’ll pick you up!

No more parking troubles with our dedicated private boat tour shuttle van.

  • Door-to-door on Marco

  • Round trip

  • Professional driver

  • Clean and safe

  • Luxury Mercedes-Benz

  • $75 Private Tour (up to 6 people)

Marco Island shuttle van for boat tours

Not sure yet?

Want to learn more about our Marco Island boat tours?

More info here, try our FAQ page or contact us.