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!