Southwest Florida emerges as a shelling paradise each spring, transforming our beautiful coastline into a collector's dream. At Southern Shelling, we offer exclusive Naples shelling tours and Marco Island shelling tours that reveal the magical world of coastal discoveries waiting to be uncovered.


Spring is the ultimate season for shell enthusiasts. As winter storms subside and ocean currents shift, they unveil an incredible array of seashells along our pristine beaches. Our private shelling tours provide an unparalleled opportunity to explore the rich marine ecosystem of Naples and Marco Island, where each tide brings new and exciting finds.


The waters around Naples and Marco Island are renowned for their diverse marine life and exceptional shelling conditions. Our carefully crafted shelling tours take you to the most productive and beautiful locations, where you'll find an incredible variety of shells. From delicate sand dollars to massive horse conchs, spiral tulip shells to intricate murex, our local waters are a collection waiting to be explored.


Our Naples shelling tours are more than just a shell-hunting expedition. As you explore the coastal waters, you'll likely encounter an array of marine wildlife. Playful dolphins might dance alongside our boat, curious manatees could make a gentle appearance, and numerous bird species will showcase the rich biodiversity of our region. Each tour is a complete marine adventure that goes far beyond simple shell collecting.


Marco Island shelling tours offer unique opportunities to explore some of the most pristine and less-traveled shell-gathering locations. The Ten Thousand Islands provide a perfect backdrop for our expeditions, with hidden beaches and secluded spots that hold some of the most remarkable shell collections you'll ever see. Our experienced captains know exactly where to take you for the most incredible shelling experiences.


Spring brings ideal conditions for shelling in our area. Warmer waters and gentle currents create perfect environments for shell distribution. Low tides, especially during the early morning or late afternoon, reveal extensive stretches of beach filled with marine wonders. Our private tours ensure you have the best possible chance of finding remarkable specimens.


What makes our shelling tours truly special is the personalized experience. Unlike crowded group tours, Southern Shelling provides private, intimate experiences that allow you to explore at your own pace. Our knowledgeable guides will help you identify your finds, share interesting facts about local marine life, and ensure you have an unforgettable experience.


We recommend bringing a few essential items on your Naples or Marco Island shelling tour:

• A mesh bag for collecting shells
• Sun protection
• Water and snacks
• Camera to capture your discoveries
• Sense of adventure
  

Whether you're a serious shell collector or a casual beach enthusiast, our tours offer something extraordinary. Each shell tells a story, and our waters are filled with countless narratives waiting to be discovered.


Southern Shelling invites you to experience the magic of Southwest Florida's coastline. Our Naples shelling tours and Marco Island shelling tours are more than just boat rides – they're journeys of discovery, connection with nature, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.


Book your private shelling tour today and uncover the hidden wonders of Naples and Marco Island!

As winter's grip loosens along Florida's Paradise Coast, Naples transforms into a sheller's dream destination. At Southern Shelling, we've guided countless enthusiasts to hidden coastal gems, and we can confidently say that spring offers some of the year's most rewarding shelling experiences. Here's why booking your private shelling tour with us during these magical months can lead to extraordinary finds and unforgettable memories.

Nature's perfect timing makes spring an exceptional season for shell hunting in Naples. The seasonal shift brings gentle northerly winds that create ideal conditions for shells to wash ashore, while spring's lower tides expose expansive stretches of beach normally hidden beneath the waves. This combination means more shells are revealed along our pristine shorelines, including prized specimens like lightning whelks, lion's paws, and the coveted junonia.

Spring in Naples also means comfortable exploration weather before summer's intense heat arrives. With average temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s, you can enjoy extended time on the beaches without the scorching conditions of later months. These pleasant temperatures create the perfect environment for leisurely searching, photographing your finds, and learning about the fascinating marine creatures that once called these shells home.

The spring months bring another significant advantage – you'll be discovering shells during what locals know as the "shoulder season," after winter's peak tourism but before summer vacationers arrive. This timing means less competition on the beaches and a more peaceful, personalized experience during your private tour. Our captains can navigate to secluded spots where footprints are few and undiscovered treasures await.

A private shelling tour with Southern Shelling offers something uniquely valuable – expert knowledge that transforms a simple beach walk into an enriching adventure. Our experienced guides not only know which beaches yield specific types of shells based on recent weather patterns and tides, but also share fascinating insights about marine ecology, shell identification, and conservation practices. You'll return home not just with beautiful shells, but with a deeper appreciation for these natural wonders.

Spring shelling excursions often reveal seasonal specialties that aren't as common during other times of year. The alphabet cone, banded tulip, and Florida fighting conch all show up with impressive frequency during these months. Better still, spring storms occasionally bring dramatic shell deposits overnight, creating extraordinary hunting opportunities that our guides monitor closely to maximize your chances of discovering spectacular specimens.

Beyond the shells themselves, springtime in Naples offers wildlife encounters that enhance your coastal exploration. Dolphin sightings are common during our boat trips to remote shelling locations, and shorebirds engaged in spring nesting activities add a dynamic element to the coastal landscape. The region's famous roseate spoonbills and white pelicans are particularly active, creating picture-perfect backdrops for your shelling adventure.

At Southern Shelling, we design each private tour to match your interests and abilities. Whether you're a serious collector seeking specific specimens, a family looking for a fun educational experience, or photographers wanting to capture Florida's coastal beauty, our customized approach ensures your spring shelling excursion exceeds expectations. Our comfortable boats, knowledgeable captains, and attention to detail have earned us consistent five-star reviews from shell enthusiasts of all experience levels.

Ready to discover why spring in Naples is a shell collector's paradise? Contact Southern Shelling today to reserve your private tour during this prime season. Space fills quickly as word spreads about spring's exceptional shelling opportunities, so don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Naples' shell-strewn beaches at their absolute best.

Southern Shelling invites you to explore the untouched shorelines of Naples, where each wave brings new treasures to our pristine beaches. Our private boat tours transport you beyond the tourist spots to secluded islands and protected coves where the Gulf of Mexico's finest shells wash ashore. From rare junonia and prized lion's paws to perfect lightning whelks and delicate sand dollars, these shorelines hold countless specimens waiting to be discovered.

During your private shelling adventure, you'll encounter Southwest Florida's incredible diversity of shells. Our experienced guides help you spot and identify spectacular finds including apple murex, fighting conchs, lettered olives, and the elusive alphabet cone. The morning low tides often reveal colonies of live tulip shells, pen shells, and cockles along the water's edge. Each shell has its own story, and our passionate guides share fascinating insights about these marine treasures and their role in our coastal ecosystem.

Beyond shell collecting, your journey with Southern Shelling offers a window into Naples' vibrant marine life. Dolphins frequently accompany our boat, playing in the wake as we navigate the calm waters. You might spot manatees grazing in shallow grass beds, osprey diving for fish, or brown pelicans gliding just above the waves. During low tide, watch for live fighting conchs crawling across the sand bars and hermit crabs searching for new homes among the shells.

Our private tours are thoughtfully timed around optimal tidal conditions to maximize your shelling success. Your guide's intimate knowledge of local weather patterns, currents, and seasonal shell movements ensures you're in the right place at the right time. We provide collection bags, shell identification guides, and expert tips on finding specific specimens. Whether you're seeking that perfect lightning whelk or hoping to spot an elusive junonia, our tours offer the ultimate shelling experience.

Make your Naples vacation extraordinary with a Southern Shelling adventure. Our private tours offer personalized attention and flexibility to explore at your own pace, making them perfect for families, photographers, and shell enthusiasts alike. From first-time collectors to experienced naturalists, everyone discovers something special on our shorelines. Book your shell collecting journey today and let us share the wonder of Naples' natural treasures with you.

Southwest Florida's pristine coastline offers shell collectors a unique opportunity to discover some of the world's most coveted seashells. The warm Gulf waters and gentle sloping beaches of Naples and Marco Island create perfect conditions for shells to wash ashore intact, particularly during low tide and after storms.

Our region's shell diversity is remarkable, with collectors regularly finding prized specimens like the rare junonia, lion's paw, angel wings, and lightning whelks. The area's most sought-after finds include alphabet cones, fighting conchs, sand dollars, and the stunning Florida horse conch - our state shell. Southern Shelling's experienced guides know exactly when and where to find these treasures based on tides, weather patterns, and seasonal variations.

The ecosystem supporting this shell abundance is equally fascinating. Our waters host extensive seagrass beds and sand flats that provide habitat for live mollusks. These areas attract diverse marine life including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and numerous shore birds like white pelicans, herons, and ospreys. This rich biodiversity makes every shelling expedition a true wildlife adventure.

What sets Southern Shelling apart is our intimate knowledge of hidden coves and remote sandbars accessible only by boat. Our private tours avoid crowded public beaches, instead visiting pristine locations where shells accumulate naturally. We time our excursions with optimal tidal conditions and provide expert guidance on shell identification, collection techniques, and conservation practices.

We focus on sustainable shelling, teaching guests to recognize live specimens that should remain undisturbed. Our guides share fascinating details about each shell's role in the ecosystem and tips for finding specific varieties. Whether you're a serious collector or simply enjoy beach treasures, our personalized tours offer unique access to Southwest Florida's shell-rich shorelines.

Book your private shelling adventure with Southern Shelling to experience the best shell collecting spots in Naples and Marco Island. Our morning and afternoon tours accommodate all skill levels, ensuring everyone discovers their own piece of natural history to take home.

Past few weeks in the Naples and Marco island areas weather has been constant . Light east winds have the gulf very calm and clear .  The beaches still have plenty of good shells (olives , murex, Tulips, fighting conchs & loads of Sandollars to pick through) but we have been finding better hunting in the water. These hard incoming and outgoing Tides will uncover some hidden treasures before they reach the beach.  What a great time of the year to get out early, beat the heat and enjoy this awesome playground. C u on the water ! 

Capt. Tim Daugherty
(239) 280-8138

Even though the winds have settled in and the beaches are calm, we are still finding plenty of alphabet cones, murex , tulip , shark eyes , olives , smaller Horse Conchs.

Even some very special days, you may another of nature’s treasures (sharks tooth).  Next weeks morning low tides will be a great time to get up early and get hunting. Any shelling Day is a great day ! Get out and enjoy this great playground we have!