Welcome Shell Seekers!
Nautical Life
SHELLING TOURS
"Live Nautically, Shell Frequently, Make Memories"
About the Captain
Captain Carlos Escarra is USCG Licensed in good standing and belongs to a USCG approved Drug Consortium. He meets and exceeds all of the medical requirements. He is a Florida Master Naturalists, Solo Wilderness First Aid Certified, and member of the Florida Society For Ethical Ecotourism - AKA Florida (SEE)
Capt Escarra is the owner and sole operator of Nautical Life Shelling Tours. A Native Floridian who has called the waters off Naples-Marco Island his home for 43 years. Originally from Miami where his roots began for the love of the ocean as a very young child fishing his father. He's been owner/operator a very successful Fishing Charter Service (Gone Fishin’ Charters) in the 10,000 Islands for over 27 years until selling the business in July of 2021. This vast knowledge of these waters gives him the edge on where and when to go for the best and safe experience ever.
With a 29 year career veteran of the Fire Service in Collier County and retiring in 2006, he's been trained to handle every situation always focusing on safety of his guest first. He has now have devoted his entire time to his passion for the water helping to create precious lifetime memories for all of his clients.
Capt Escarra is driven by passion and love for this beautiful paradise and enjoys sharing his knowledge of Florida's uplands, sheet flow, saltwater coastal systems and the abundance of wildlife with his guests.
“It is my belief that each and every one of us play a very important role in protecting our resources and it’s our duty and responsibility to be a good steward of these fragile ecosystems we call paradise.”
You will be aboard a 2017 Carolina Skiff 258 DLV which has been meticulously designed for you comfort and can get into those very shallow waters where you will find those treasured rare shells. We provide a large Yeti cooler to store drinks and snacks as well.
Shelling Tours
Have you dreamed of shelling in the Ten Thousand Islands?
Where all you hear are the waves crashing against the mangroves and the sounds of seashells rolling ashore?
Well, we'd love to made your dreams a reality! Welcome aboard our eco-friendly shelling skiff! We offer BPA-free reusable bottles filled with ice old water and shelling bags to take your treasures home with ease. Hand rakes and buckets are available for your convenience. All we ask from you is to help us protect what we love and please keep our ocean's future in mind.
Please leave only footprints behind.
Mission Statement
All of Nautical Life Shelling Tours are based on the concept that we respect and protect this rich ecosystem at all times. This means that we “do not litter” and we “return all living shells” back to the surf. We encourage each shelling participant to pick up any plastic, aluminum cans, bottles, straws, bags etc found on the beach and bring back to the boat for proper disposal. We strongly believe that it is each and everyone’s responsibility be a good steward to the environment. Our goal is that every shelling participant has a safe and memorable experience while finding their precious treasures or that rare and beautiful shell.
Thank you for your help in preserving this beautiful shelling paradise.
Pura Vida
About the Ten Thousand Islands
Remote and beautiful, the Ten Thousand Islands are natural Florida in its purest form.
The rich estuarine, mangrove, and marsh habitats is home to hundreds of species of birds, fish, mollusks,
mammals and reptiles. A trip to visit them is a trip away from
the hustle and bustle and into tropical peace and serenity.
Shelling Tour Info
Tours depart from Goodland Boat Park, located at 750 Palm Point Drive, Goodland, FL. Utilizing this marina allows us to offer the shortest travel distance to over 95% of the secluded islands that hold the precious shells you seek. Shorter travel time means more shelling time!
The park gates open at 6:30am and there is a $10.00 parking fee (unless you have a Collier County Beach sticker). The receipt must be displayed on car dashboard. There are restroom facilities. No showers at this park. Parking is extremely limited: Uber, Ride Share or drop off is highly recommended.
Our shared shelling tours are 4 hours long.
Our private shelling tours are 4.5 or 6.5 hours long to give you BONUS shelling time.
It is important that you are in good physical condition to step off the boat and to board back on safely. We do have a step ladder and stool to make this possible. Captain Carlos is there to assist every guest. We also have a rear boarding ladder on the boat. If you have questions concerning this, please feel free to contact us.
Nautical Life Shelling Tours generally stop at two secluded islands or sandbars.
Private tours can be customized to include all your heart desires.
Nautical Life Shelling Tours offer both shared parties and private tours to meet your needs.
*See rates on each type of shelling trip offered below
You can also customize your own private shelling tour upon request.
What to Bring for Your Shelling Experience
• Shelling Bag or Bucket (Logo Bag available for purchase)
Water shoes (sandals not recommended)
• Hat to offer you protection from the sun and mangrove branches
• Sunglasses for sun and eye protection mangrove branches.
• Environmentally safe sunscreen protection. No Spray Lotion.
• We carry cold water onboard to refill your water bottle.
What’s Included on the Tour
• Water
• Approved BPA water bottle if needed and shell bag for you to keep.
• Hand rake
• Extender pickers for those who have might have challenges reaching for shells.
We sell several sizes of rugged, insulated water bottles and cups
customized with our logo for sale upon request.
Shell Tour Pricing
4 Hour Shared Tour
$140.00 per person
Not including tax and gratuity.
Up to 6 guests on the boat, 4 guest minimum
(First booking must meet minimum 4 guest count.)
4.5 Hour Private Tour
$870.00 not including tax and gratuity.
Up to 6 guests on the boat.
Completely customized to your desires.
6.5 Hour Private Tour
$1,100.00 not including tax and gratuity.
Up to 6 guests on the boat.
Completely customized to your desires.
(Be sure to click the date shown on the top left of the Schedule View to advance the calendar to future dates)
Booking Request
Notice
A Booking Request is NOT an automatic confirmation and shall not be assumed to be a confirmed tour until such time as requestor has received a text and/or email confirmation containing a Booking ID Number and tour info.
The credit card will ONLY be charged upon tour confirmation. A credit card HOLD will be placed on Booking Requests, but the credit card will NOT be charged until such time as the tour is confirmed.
Please do not hesitate to call or text us if you have any questions about your Booking Request.
Cancellation Policy
14 days prior notice of the scheduled tour for a full refund
Ethical Tourism
Awareness is on the rise when it comes to issues such as plastic waste and pollution harming sea life,
but there is one area that often gets ignored – ethical tourism.
At Nautical Life Shelling Tours, we believe that focusing on sustainable practices has made our travels much more fun and meaningful. It feels great to know that we're supporting the people who are committed to improving the state of the world for all creatures who live in it. Being kind to our eco-system requires no more time or effort.
We believe Nautical Life Shelling Tours is one of the best ways to explore responsibly:
• Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
• Ditch the Plastic Bags
• Choose Reef-friendly Sunscreen (such as Sun Bum brand; please no spray sunscreen)
-
Choose Nontoxic Insect Repellent such as No-See-Um Natural insect repellant
Did you know that coral is an animal, not a plant? Corals around the world are being harmed by some of the chemicals in traditional sunscreen, which washes off into the water in huge amounts. Similarly, chemically-laden repellents may work for mosquitoes but can also harm other wildlife. The residue from them washes into waterways, adding more chemicals that marine life has a hard time dealing with.
Eco-Tours
Explore the Ten Thousand Islands
Our eco-tours are specially designed for those who are looking for a shorter educational trip through the Ten Thousand Islands and includes 30 minute stop to find and collect some precious shells as a memorial of their visit to the Islands. Perfect for those families with small children.
All of our eco-tours are private tours.
2.5 Hour Ten Thousand Islands Eco-Tour
$500.00 not including tax and gratuity.
This tour takes you through the mazes of mangrove islands looking for manatees, dolphins
and indigenous birds, trip to the iconic dome homes of Cape Romano and includes thirty minutes of shelling.
Ecotourism is Becoming an Increasingly Hot Topic
Awareness is on the rise when it comes to issues such as plastic waste and pollution harming sea life,
but there is one area that often gets ignored – ethical tourism.
At Nautical Life Shelling Tours, we believe that focusing on sustainable practices has made our travels much more fun and meaningful. It feels great to know that we're supporting the people who are committed to
improving the state of the world for all creatures who live in it. Being kind to our eco-system requires no more time or effort.
We believe Nautical Life Shelling Tours is one of the best ways to explore responsibly:
• Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
• Ditch the Plastic Bags
• Choose Reef-friendly Sunscreen (such as Sun Bum brand; please no spray sunscreen)
-
Choose Nontoxic Insect Repellent such as No-See-Um Natural insect repellant
Did you know that coral is an animal, not a plant? Corals around the world are being harmed by some of the chemicals in traditional sunscreen, which washes off into the water in huge amounts. Similarly, chemically-laden repellents may work for mosquitoes but can also harm other wildlife. The residue from them washes into waterways, adding more chemicals that marine life has a hard time dealing with.
Gallery
A collection from our most recent shelling tours
Interested in booking a Nautical Life Shelling Tour?
Send us a note or call us at:
239.860.TOUR (8687)
Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook!
Contact Us
