10K Islands vs. Keewaydin: What’s the Difference?
- Ali, Guide
- May 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 17
Keewaydin Island and Kice Island are two of the most beautiful beach settings along the Naples Marco Island beaches, and they’re both featured on our guided (and unguided!) seashell adventures. If you’re booking a shelling tour with SWFL Shell Guide and trying to decide between the Ten Thousand Islands Tour (Kice Island is part of the Ten Thousand Islands park) and the Keewaydin Island Tour, you’re not alone - this is one of the most common questions I get. Both spots are stunning, boat-access-only shelling destinations, but they offer very different experiences.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right tour for your shelling style:
🐚 Ten Thousand Islands Tour
Remote. Peaceful. Classic shelling.
This is my most popular tour. The boat ride is 10-15 minutes each way. We land on a wild barrier island (like Kice Island). It's undeveloped, uncrowded, and could be packed with shells that have already washed ashore.
Key Details:
Ride time: ~10-15 minutes each way
Shelling type: Mostly land shelling - shells are found on the higher wrack lines well up on the island. Protective and supportive footwear is a must. Prepare to hike a few miles.
Main shells you're likely to find: small whelks, olives, banded tulips, murex, fighting conchs
Pros:
✅ Consistent shelling, year-round
✅ Quiet and remote
✅ Great variety of smaller, more colorful, high-quality shells
✅ Quick boat ride
Cons:
⚠️ Uneven terrain full of tree roots, stumps, slippery muck, and other tripping obstacles - requires good mobility
⚠️ No amenities, no shade, this is a true nature outing
🌴 Keewaydin Island Tour
Scenic. Busy. Great on negative tides.
Keewaydin is a long, sandy island just north of Marco Island. It’s stunning - and on the right tide (especially a negative low), it can produce huge shells (both in size and quantity). You’ll spend most of your time shelling in very shallow water, where BIG horse conchs and alphabet cones may be just below the surface.
Pro tip: Bring a clear water pitcher to help you see underwater shells more easily!
Key Details:
Ride time: ~40–45 minutes each way
Shelling type: Mostly shallow water shelling - bring a water pitcher and plan to get your feet wet
Shells you might find: LARGE horse conchs, alphabet cones, banded tulips
Atmosphere: Expect lots of boaters and beachgoers, especially on weekends
Pros:
✅ Potential for very large shells
✅ Best conditions on negative low tides
✅ Beautiful beach and sandbar environment
Cons:
⚠️ Long boat ride
⚠️ Very short shelling window (length of time the tide is out far enough)
⚠️ Crowds, especially weekends (party boats, music, etc.), and LOTS of shellers on those low tide dates
⚠️ Parking tip: Bayview Park fills up quickly on weekends - park at Gulf Gate Plaza and take an Uber/Lyft to the dock
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Ten Thousand Islands | Keewaydin Island |
Boat Ride Time | ~15 minutes | ~40–45 minutes |
Shells Usually Found | On land, up on shore | In shallow water |
Shelling Conditions | Consistent year-round | Best on negative tides |
Shell Types | Olives, murex, tulips, small whelks, fighting conchs, scallops | Giant horse conchs, alphabet cones, tulips, scallops |
Crowds | Quiet and remote | Busy, especially on weekends |
Mobility Needs | Walk involves maneuvering thru tree roots and stumps, uneven, slippery terrain | Easier walking, mostly flat sandbars |
Best For | Focused shellers & nature lovers | Big shell hunters & beachgoers |
Which Tour Should You Book?
Choose the Ten Thousand Islands Tour if you're after a quiet, remote shellventure with great land finds and minimal crowds.
Choose the Keewaydin Island Tour if you're okay with a longer boat ride and want a chance at big shells - especially if you're booking on a negative tide day and don't mind a more social, lively atmosphere.
Still not sure? Contact me and I’ll help you decide based on the tides, weather, and what kind of shelling day you’re hoping for.
