Ten Thousand Islands: Day Trips and Tours from Naples, Florida

Off the coast of Florida sits Ten Thousand Islands, a chain of islands and mangrove islets known for its vast wildlife refuge and national park. The area boasts the second largest mangrove forest in the world.

Despite its misleading name, the chain boasts a few hundred islands. The islands remain mostly uninhabited and attract visitors each year from near and far.

The islands are easily accessible and just a short distance from shore, making them the perfect destination for a day trip from Naples!

How to get to the Ten Thousand Islands from Naples?

Ten Thousand Islands is located about 30 miles outside of Naples. The exact distance you have to travel depends on which islands you want to visit. Regardless, the islands are extremely accessible. You can easily travel by car and boat, or a guided tour.

From Naples to the Ten Thousand Islands by car and boat

The islands sit only 55 minutes outside of Naples, but many people opt to drive to the nearby city of Goodland and then catch a boat to the islands. The car ride to Goodland takes approximately 35 minutes.

Guided tour to the Ten Thousand Islands from Naples

One of the easiest and stress-free ways to reach the Ten Thousand Islands is on a guided day tour from Naples. Most of the tours depart from a designated meeting location and take you by boat to the islands.

The cost includes transportation and a professional guide who will share important information about the area. A guided tour allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy the islands!

How much does the entrance ticket to the Ten Thousand Islands cost?

You must pay an entrance fee to visit the Everglades National Park. A private vehicle or vessel 7-day pass only costs $30. You may have to pay an additional fee if you wish to camp in the wildlife refuge.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to the Ten Thousand Islands from Naples?

Day tours to the Ten Thousand Islands typically last anywhere from two to eight hours. The duration varies based on what activities the tour includes and whether or not you book a private tour.

Since each tour offers you a unique experience, they all follow a slightly different itinerary. Most of the tours do not include round-trip transportation from your accommodation, so they depart from a designated meeting spot in Naples, Goodland or San Marco.

The entire group travels from there to the islands. Many of the tours stop at the wildlife refuge, so you can hopefully see alligators, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, fish and tropical birds. You will also have multiple opportunities to go on a shell collecting experience based on which tour you select.

After a few hours of exploring the islands, your group will make their way back to the departure point.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the Ten Thousand Islands?

The Ten Thousand Islands offers a variety of tours that are suitable for everyone. You can book an eco boat tour, a regular boat tour, a shelling kayak adventure, a dolphin and manatee tour, or even a chartered fishing tour. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong!

Eco boat tour

Unfortunately, many of our natural resources are diminishing due to climate change. You can take an eco boat tour with a certified Florida naturalist, who will share information about how the local environment has been impacted and adapted to inclement weather.

Ten Thousand Islands boat tour

Many parts of the chain of islands are only accessible by boat. You can join a local captain on a boat tour to explore the islands and mangrove forests. Along the way, you may even see some of the local wildlife!

Shelling kayak adventure tour

Looking for shells on the beach is a popular way to pass time along the coast. These tours provide you with ample time to explore lesser-known beaches in hopes of finding rare shells. You will also explore the islands by kayak.

Dolphin and manatee boat tour in Ten Thousand Islands

The manatee and dolphin watching tours take you onto the water to try and spot dolphins or manatees from the boat. These tours provide a great option to hopefully see some local wildlife while enjoying the island scenery. Keep in mind that animal sightings are not guaranteed.

Chartered fishing tours

Spend the day at sea on a chartered fishing tour. These full-day tours take you on the water to try your luck at fishing.

How much does a tour to the Ten Thousand Islands from Naples cost?

The cost of a guided day tour from Naples to the Ten Thousand Islands depends on how long the tour lasts, which operator you select, what the tour includes and if you pay per person or group. You can expect to pay anywhere from US$80 to US$872.

If you just want to take a boat or kayaking tour around the area, you will pay approximately US$80 to US$195. The more expensive tours are private fishing charters and range from US$718 to US$872.

What will you see and do in the Ten Thousand Islands?

The islands boast no shortage of water activities. You can go shelling, watch the wildlife, kayak, swim and explore the islands by boat.

Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is a great way to become acquainted with the islands. You can see wildlife up close and personal, while making your way around the area. This specific park is part of the largest Everglades National Park system.

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

The wildlife refuge houses a variety of threatened and endangered animals and seeks to protect the native wildlife through conservation. You can visit the refuge by boat to get a glimpse of these animals while supporting the organization’s work.

Since the islands are rich in wildlife, they provide the perfect opportunity to go dolphin-watching! You can join a tour that takes you through the islands by boat in search of some of the ocean’s friendliest creatures. A dolphin sighting is not guaranteed, but it still makes for a great adventure!

Cape Romano

The famous dome house sits right outside Cape Romano in the middle of the water. You can see the six domes attached to the house sticking up even though most of the house is submerged. Click your pictures here before the water overtakes the rest of the house!

When are the Ten Thousand Islands open over the year?

The islands remain open all year long, even during hurricane season. You should book your Ten Thousand Islands visit based on your personal weather preferences. Bear in mind that camping on the island is closed from May through September.

What are the opening times?

You can technically visit the islands at any time of the day, though we recommend visiting in daylight. Darkness makes it challenging to see the plants and animals, boat, and take part in other outdoor activities on the islands. Most guided tours happen during the day.

The wildlife refuge remains open every day of the year, and the visitor’s centers operate from 8 AM to 4 PM. The national park visitor centers open either at 8 AM or 9 AM depending on the season and close at 5 PM.

You can also book overnight stays on the islands at designated camping locations.

When is the best time to visit the Ten Thousand Islands?

Florida is known for its sub-tropical climate. The state experiences extremely warm summers with milder winters.

If you prefer cooler weather with fewer mosquitoes, the best time to visit the Ten Thousand Islands is from October through May. Expect warm, sunny weather all day if you visit from June to September.

Keep in mind that the Atlantic hurricane season typically lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November.

Travel tips

• Read the wildlife refuge and national park rules before visiting.
• Plan your visit based on your weather preferences!
• Bring a lot of sunscreen to protect yourself from the intense Florida sun.