Sand Dollar Boat Tours

Where It Operates

Sand Dollar Boat Tours is a family-owned company in southwest Florida that runs its own boats with its own captains. It departs from 2 marinas: San Marco Marina at 604 E Palm Ave in Goodland, just off Marco Island, which the FAQ says serves the Ten Thousand Islands and shelling tours, and Naples Bay Resort & Marina at 1500 5th Ave S in downtown Naples, which serves the Naples Bay and Port Royal tours. Both have on-site parking. From there the boats cover the back bays and barrier islands of the Ten Thousand Islands, Naples Bay, the Port Royal canals, Gordon Pass and Keewaydin Island. The homepage describes the company as "USCG Licensed & Insured" and "Family-Owned & Local."

The Tours

The homepage lists a wide menu, each with its own group cap. Shelling Tours run about 3 hours (the tour page says 3 to 4), for up to 6 guests, from $125 per adult and $90 per child. The captain heads for barrier islands "you simply can't reach by car" and times the trip to the tide; the page says "the mainland beaches are picked over by 9am. We don't go there." Shells found are "yours to keep." Dolphin and Wildlife Tours last about 2 hours for up to 6 guests, looking for wild bottlenose dolphins, manatees, ospreys, spoonbills and pelicans, with the site promising "Respectful, NOAA-guideline viewing." Sunset and Dinner Cruises also run about 2 hours for up to 6, with BYOB or added catering.

Larger boats handle bigger groups. The Naples and Port Royal cruise runs 90 minutes or more for up to 26 guests past the waterfront estates of Port Royal, which the page calls "Naples' most exclusive neighborhood," then out through Gordon Pass. Tiki Boat Tours use a thatched-roof boat for up to 26, built with "39½-inch rails all the way around" and pitched at "multigenerational families." Beach and Island Excursions run about 4 hours for up to 12, Fishing Charters about 4 hours for up to 4 with "gear, bait & licenses included," and there are Bachelorette Tours, custom Special Occasion Charters and an hourly Naples Water Shuttle.

The Port Royal page maps the route: it starts in calm Naples Bay past the yacht clubs and the waterfront shops of Tin City, winds through the Port Royal canals past private mega-yacht docks, heads out through Gordon Pass, "prime dolphin territory," and turns near the Naples pier and the beachfront homes of Gordon Drive. On the shelling side, the tour page lists whelks, conchs, sand dollars and "the prized junonia" as the finds guests hope for, and the captain helps identify each one. Fishing trips target snook, redfish and trout inshore and in the backcountry, and custom charters for birthdays, proposals and reunions offer "décor & catering on request."

The fleet section names the boats: the Bennington luxury tritoon, the Avalon family tritoon, the Tiki Boat, the Island Hopper deck boat that seats up to 19 with a beach-landing bow, the Blue Pelican shuttle and the Goodland Skiff, a center-console for shallow runs into the Ten Thousand Islands. The Port Royal page describes a range "from an intimate two-seater to the 26-guest floating tiki."

Captains and the Day Itself

The homepage introduces the crew by name. Capt. Evan, the owner and lead captain, is described as a "Certified Florida Master Naturalist," and other crew are listed as Florida Coastal Master Naturalists, a wildlife rehabilitator, an educator and, in one case, a captain in "SW Florida since 2002."

The day runs on a simple pattern: guests "arrive 15 minutes early, meet your captain, grab a life jacket, and hop aboard." The FAQ says tours suit "all ages, from toddlers to grandparents," and that every passenger gets a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. It suggests bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water and a camera, and "shoes you don't mind getting sandy" for shelling walks. The Port Royal page lists the captain's commentary, life jackets, a cooler with ice and bottled water, shaded seating and photos as included, with guests bringing their own food and drinks. On dolphins, the FAQ says "sightings happen on the vast majority of our cruises," stopping short of a guarantee.

Seasons change the trip, according to the site. Winter brings "the year's best morning low tides" and manatees in the warm bays; summer brings evening low tides, sunset shelling and turtle nesting; fall brings "epic inshore fishing" and migrating birds.

Booking and Terms

Booking runs online with "live availability and instant confirmation," with checkout "powered by FareHarbor," or by phone at (239) 301-8913 for private charters. Digital gift cards are sold, "valid on any tour."

The cancellation policy is set out in full. Guests "will receive a full refund or credit with 7 days notice of cancellation," and a full refund or credit if the operator cancels before leaving the dock for weather. There are no refunds for trips shortened by weather once the boat has left, "tardiness may result in a shortened trip or cancellation without refund," and "no-shows will be charged the full price." Cancellations are handled by phone, and cancellation protection is offered for a fee. The homepage also promises a "Free Weather Reschedule."

The homepage shows 4.9 stars from 956 Google reviews, 4.9 from 603 on Tripadvisor and 4.8 from 52 on Yelp, summed up as 4.9 stars from 2,000+ guest reviews. The Tiki Boat page shows 5.0 on Tripadvisor from 244 reviews.

What the Site Leaves Open and Who It Suits

Prices are published only for the shelling tour; the dolphin, sunset, Port Royal, tiki and fishing trips show "Live availability" and a price at checkout. The site does not say whether the up-to-6 tours are shared with other guests or always private, or which boat is used for which tour. Accessibility beyond "easy boarding for grandparents" on the tiki boat is not described.

Sand Dollar suits families and couples who want a small boat, a naturalist captain and a remote beach for shelling, and groups up to 26 who want a whole boat to themselves for a party or a Port Royal cruise. Its clear refund terms and weather reschedule make it straightforward to book ahead in season, when, the site warns, "spots fill fast."