The Best Sunset Cruises & Experiences in Marco Island
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The Best Boat Tours & Cruises in Marco Island
Set sail on the best boat tours and cruises in Marco Island, from dolphin-spotting and shelling adventures to sunset sails and private charters.
By
Scott Carr
Updated
Calusa Spirit Eco Tours from Marco Island Water Sports
Exploring Marco Island from the water is one of the most memorable ways to experience the area’s natural beauty. Many tours cruise past dolphins and manatees, stop at hidden islands for shelling, or include time at Keewaydin Island, a favorite local sandbar where visitors can swim, relax, and enjoy the beach. Whether you’re collecting seashells on a remote barrier island, sipping cocktails on a sunset cruise, or booking a private charter for the day, Marco Island’s boat tours showcase the best of the Gulf and the Ten Thousand Islands.
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4.9
173 Google reviews
Step aboard The Dolphin Explorer for one of the most immersive wildlife experiences on Marco Island. Operated by the 10,000 Island Dolphin Study, this 47-foot catamaran carries guests on a three-hour eco-tour led by trained marine naturalists. You’ll cruise through the estuaries and barrier islands in search of bottlenose dolphins—each of which the team tracks by name using photo-identification—and enjoy added experiences such as shelling on pristine beaches and spotting birds of prey.
The Dolphin Study Eco-Tour and Cruise
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$79.00 per person
4.3
120 Google reviews
Marco Island Water Sports invites you to explore the natural beauty of Southwest Florida on an eco boat tour aboard the Calusa Spirit, a spacious and comfortable catamaran. This family-friendly excursion takes guests to remote islands for shelling, dolphin watching, and wildlife encounters, all while cruising the scenic waters of the Ten Thousand Islands.
Calusa Spirit Eco Tours
from
$95.00 per person
4.9
741 Google reviews
Discover a memorable shell-hunting adventure with Sand Dollar Shelling, a guided boat tour company operating near Marco Island that takes you into the scenic Ten Thousand Islands in search of rare shells and wildlife. Led by experienced captains such as Captain Evan, their tours stand out for visiting secluded beaches where prized finds like the Junonia shell often surface.
Keewaydin Island Shelling, Dolphin and Beach Experience
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$125.00 per person
Sunset Shelling & Dolphin Tour
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$125.00 per person
4.9
75 Google reviews
Marco Watersports offers action-packed adventures on the waters of Marco Island. Guests can enjoy wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing behind a premium Nautique G23 boat, with instruction and gear included. Captains Dustin and Caleb bring more than 20 years of experience, making it easy for both beginners and seasoned riders to feel comfortable on the water. Trips are family-friendly, often highlighted by dolphins playing in the wake, and can be customized for fun, relaxation, or skill-building.
4.9
101 Google reviews
Marco Pedal Boat offers a unique, fun-filled spin on water tours around Marco Island with their spacious 31-foot catamaran. You’re welcome to pedal if you like, but if you prefer to kick back and relax, the on-board motor takes care of the movement while you enjoy cushioned bar-stool seating, ice coolers and music.
Editor's Tip
Tours depart from Collier Boulevard Boating Park (3620 Collier Blvd., less than a mile north of the Marco Bridge).
Daytime Sightseeing Cruise
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$49.00 per person
Sunset Tours
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$59.00 per person
4.7
265 Google reviews
Set sail from Rose Marina on the 90-foot Marco Island Princess, a refined yacht offering sightseeing, lunch, dinner and sunset cruises through the waterways around Marco Island and the Gulf of Mexico. Guests dine on board with full-service bars and freshly prepared meals—from narrated “Nature & History” lunches to premium prime-rib sunset dinners—while enjoying climate-controlled salons or open-air decks.
5.0
775 Google reviews
Located in Goodland, just minutes from Marco Island, Eco Endeavors & Breakwater Adventures offers unforgettable guided boat tours through the winding mangrove channels and barrier-island shores of the Ten Thousand Islands. Their Dolphin & Shelling tour takes you in search of dolphins, manatees, and shorebirds before stepping ashore to collect shells on a remote beach.
5.0
208 Google reviews
Florida Island Tours showcases the best of Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands with small-group boat tours led by certified naturalists and master captains. Guests can choose from dolphin and wildlife cruises, shelling adventures on remote barrier islands, eco tours, or a sunset cruise that captures the Gulf at its most magical. Each experience is designed to be both fun and educational, with guides sharing insights into local history, wildlife, and the ever-changing environment.
4.8
225 Google reviews
Backwater Adventure takes you on a one-of-a-kind guided tour through the 10,000 Islands, where you get to drive your own two-person CraigCat catamaran while following an experienced guide. Choose between a 1.5-hour cruise or their signature 2.5-hour adventure that includes a stop at White Horse Key. The CraigCat is stable, easy to operate, and seats two side-by-side for a comfortable ride that can reach speeds up to 30 mph—making conversation and sightseeing effortless. Along the way, it’s common to spot dolphins, birds, and other wildlife at a closeness only possible on these intimate tours. With over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the pioneers of CraigCat tours in Southwest Florida, Backwater Adventure promises an unforgettable mix of excitement, tranquility, and natural beauty.
4.9
58 Google reviews
Floating Turtle Cruises puts a fun spin on sightseeing with tiki-style boats built for relaxing, celebrating, and soaking in the beauty of Marco Island’s waterways. Both the Loggerhead and Sea Turtle boats feature authentic tiki roofs, wrap-around bars, JL Audio Bluetooth sound systems, and iced-down coolers stocked with complimentary drinks. Each vessel can host up to six guests for a three-hour cruise, with larger group options available.
4.9
498 Google reviews
Cool Beans Cruises is a premier sailing charter service specializing in luxury catamaran cruises that offer a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Whether it’s a romantic sunset sail, a private family outing, or a scenic dolphin-watching tour, Cool Beans Cruises ensures a memorable experience on the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
4.9
101 Google reviews
Step into the wild side of southwest Florida with Marco Island Eco Tours, where you’ll pilot your own two-seat Craigcat boat through the tranquil back-waters of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge starting from Goodland. These 2½-hour guided adventures take you through winding mangrove creeks and coastal bays, led by knowledgeable guides via walkie-talkie narration, with frequent sightings of dolphins, osprey and manatees.
