Wild, Authentic, and Awe-Inspiring
Private Dolphin/Shelling Boat Tour
$600 / 3-hr tour for up to 6 guests
There's something about being on the water... Stress fades away. Peace washes over you. And sometimes, if you're lucky... the dolphins show up and put on a show. These aren't just boat rides—they're moments of connection, healing, and pure joy for our guests.
Every tour is led by Florida Master Naturalist Captain Tammy Everts. She will make sure each journey is intentionally unhurried and deeply immersive. Let's not rush past the beauty—let's settle into it. You'll be encouraged to be completely unplugged and just relax as we explore the untouched corners of Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, which was Florida's very first Aquatic Preserve started in 1966. The cultural and historical significance in this area starts with the fact it was home to the Indigenous people, the Calusa. We will go past Mound Key Archaeological Site which was the capital of their nation. There is a peace found here—one that feels timeless and grounding. Every tour is yours to shape—do you want to slow it down and cruise up the Imperial River or Mullock Creek, where ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss tell quiet stories of the past? Or just spend time cruising around looking for dolphins and stopping for a swim on one of our shallow sand bars? Whatever your dream vacation day looks like, we got ya covered!
The Word reminds us, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), and many guests find that surrender happens while walking the beach in search of seashells and other treasures. In these quiet moments, distractions fade and a deeper connection takes root—beauty woven into each encounter with marine life. It is an opportunity to unplug, restore your spirit, and encounter SWFL as it was meant to be seen—wild, authentic, and awe-inspiring. At Tide & True, we believe every tide tells His story, and it would be our joy to share this experience with you.
Ft Myers Best Private Tours
Three hours across Estero Bay's most treasured waters.
Imagine a private, stress-free day on the water in Estero Bay—no crowds, no deadlines, just pure barefoot bliss. Tide & True Excursions provides the ultimate day on the water with our brand new 2027 Sea Born 25FX bay boat designed for stability and comfortable seating. It also comes equipped with a bathroom for your convenience. This 3-hour Ultimate Dolphin/Shelling Boat Tour takes you across the calm waters of Estero Bay to the pristine shores of Big Hickory Island and Lovers Key, two of the area's most treasured barrier islands. Along the way, keep watch for playful dolphins, gentle manatees, soaring ospreys, pelicans gliding just above the Gulf, and other incredible coastal wildlife. Each tour is private and customized to your liking. If you're not quite ready to head back, you can extend your adventure for $100/hr and wander farther south to hidden gems like Keewaydin Island—only reachable by boat and famous for its untouched pristine beaches and incredible shelling. Or we can journey north from Ft Myers to Cayo Costa State Park or North Captiva barrier islands truly made for a castaway-style escape.
Skip the packed overcrowded tours and experience the backwaters the way it was meant to be enjoyed— Private, Personal & Unforgettable
We provide snorkel equipment, beach chairs & umbrella, as well as fun floats and underwater scooters for the sand bar stops and mangrove tunnel exploration! It is during these awesome adventures and time of exploring looking for sand dollars, starfish and other marine life—we see the story unfold of intentional design, where even the smallest seashell is known and beautifully made just like you. Our underwater scooter adventures are designed to spark that wide-eyed, saltwater kind of joy—fun, exciting, and just the right splash of thrill—so the moment you head home, you're already dreaming about your next ride with us.
Private, Personalized Adventure
Your Day 🐚 Your Way
Once ashore, enjoy unspoiled beaches known for exceptional shelling. Wander at your own pace, search for unique treasures, feel the warm sand beneath your feet, and breathe in the stillness that only untouched islands can offer. Whether you're beachcombing, taking photos, or simply soaking in the sunshine, this experience is designed to refresh your spirit and reconnect you with nature. And for those with an eye to the sky, your tour can become a moving birding blind—gliding quietly in search of roseate spoonbills painted in pink, the soaring silhouettes of magnificent frigatebirds, delicate snowy egrets, watchful osprey, and the lively rhythms of royal terns, black skimmers, and oystercatchers dancing along the shoreline.
