Keewaydin Island
Eight miles of undeveloped sugar-white sand off Naples, with no road, no bridge and no cars. The only way on is by water, and that is exactly what keeps it wild, shell-rich and quiet.
Updated June 2026
Keewaydin is the long, skinny barrier island that screens Naples from the open Gulf, running roughly eight miles between the city and Marco Island inside the protected Rookery Bay reserve. There are no houses to speak of, no road and no bridge, so the beach you find is more or less the beach the Calusa knew: dune grass, driftwood, nesting birds and one of the best shelling shores on the whole coast.
Because it is boat-only, every "how do I get to Keewaydin" answer comes down to one of three things: a guided cruise, a water shuttle, or your own rented boat. We will walk through each so you can pick the right one. If you mainly came for the shells, pair this with our wider shelling in Naples guide; if you want dolphins and a sunset thrown in, see our dolphin and sunset cruises.
How to reach the island
Three honest ways onto a boat-only beach, from a guided half-day to your own rental. Always confirm times, prices and availability with the operator, as they shift with season and tide.
The sandbar & the shelling
Why people make the trip in the first place.
Choosing your Keewaydin day
- Want commentary, dolphins and a set itinerary? Book a guided shelling cruise like Sweet Liberty or Pure Florida.
- Just want to be left on the beach for hours with chairs and a cooler? Choose a drop-and-collect water shuttle.
- Comfortable at the helm and watching tides? Rent or launch your own boat and head for the south sandbar.
- Serious about shells? Aim for a morning trip on a low or negative tide, ideally in the cooler months when currents pile shells ashore.
- Whatever you pick, confirm the day's times, price and tide with the operator, since all three change with weather and water.
Where to go next
More water, more sand, and the town you launched from.
Shelling in Naples
Where, when and how to find whelks, conchs and the elusive junonia along the Paradise Coast.
Dolphin & Sunset Cruises
The boats that leave Naples Bay for wild dolphins and the sun dropping into the Gulf.
Beaches & Outdoors
Every Naples beach, plus shelling, mangroves and the cruises, in one guide.
Old Naples
The historic heart by the bay, with Crayton Cove and the City Dock where many boats tie up.
Find a Keewaydin Island cruise or shuttle
Common questions
How do you get to Keewaydin Island?
Only by boat, since there is no road or bridge. Most visitors take a guided shelling cruise (such as Sweet Liberty from the Naples City Dock or Pure Florida from Tin City), book a small-group water shuttle that drops you on the beach and picks you up, or rent and captain their own boat. From Marco Island, the Hemingway Water Shuttle crosses from Rose Marina.
How much does it cost to visit Keewaydin Island?
It varies by how you go. Guided shelling cruises and drop-off shuttles typically run somewhere in the range of roughly $100 or more per person; the Naples Water Shuttle, for example, advertises from around $135 per person round-trip with chairs and a cooler. Renting your own boat is priced separately. Prices change with season and demand, so confirm the current rate with the operator when you book.
When is the best time to go for shelling?
Aim for low tide, ideally a strong outgoing or negative tide, when the most beach is exposed and the south-end sandbar spreads out. Mornings are calmer and cooler, and the winter months often push more shells ashore. Many cruises depart in the morning to line up with the tide, so check a tide chart or ask the operator which day is best.
Can you keep the shells you find on Keewaydin?
You may collect empty shells, but never take a live one, and leave sand dollars, starfish and sea life where they are. Keewaydin lies within the protected Rookery Bay reserve, so practice leave-no-trace: pack out everything you bring in, and stay clear of posted nesting areas for shorebirds and sea turtles.
Are there bathrooms or facilities on the island?
No. Keewaydin is undeveloped, with no restrooms, no shade structures, no concessions and no fresh water. Bring water, sun protection, food and a trash bag, and plan your trip around what your boat or cruise provides. Guided cruises and shuttles usually have a marine restroom on board and supply chairs or water on some packages.
Is Keewaydin Island good for families and swimming?
Yes. The Gulf-side water is generally calm and shallow near the south sandbar, which makes for easy wading and swimming, and kids love hunting for shells. Just remember there are no lifeguards or facilities, so watch the current and the tide, bring everything you need, and pick a calm-weather day.