Meet at City Island Park, wade into calm Sarasota Bay water, and follow a 10,000-lumen LED light pod to shells, crabs, seahorses and small fish that come out after sunset.
Daytime beachcombers find what the tide left behind. After dark, the shallows near City Island come alive: crabs and small fish move across the sand and grass, and a bright LED light makes them easy to spot.
Your guide leads a small group in from the park shoreline, never deeper than 4 feet. It works as a first snorkeling-style adventure, a Sarasota date night, or a family outing after a beach day.
Tours take place in shallow water under 4 feet, guided by experienced leaders. Every guest gets a safety noodle, whistle, and glow stick for visibility.
We protect marine life. Only empty shells may be kept — any living creature (crabs, seahorses, fish, hermit crabs) is gently observed, then returned to the sea.
No snorkeling experience necessary. It's a low-risk, guided way for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike to enjoy the ocean at night.
Small groups, one guide, and about 75 minutes in the shallows off City Island Park.
Meet your guide at City Island Park (Ken Thompson), 1799 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota. We'll fit you with aqua socks, a glow stick, safety noodle, and whistle, and run through a short safety briefing.
Walk into the bay together from the City Island shoreline. The water stays under 4 feet the whole time.
Sweep the group's LED light pod across the sandy bottom and grass to spot shells, crabs, seahorses and small fish.
Empty shells go in your collection bag. Anything living is looked at, then returned to the water.
Finish with a 15-minute show-and-tell on the sand while your guide names what the group found, 1 hour 15 minutes in all.
City Island Park (Ken Thompson)
1799 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Free paved parking is available on-site, plus large grass overflow parking — look for the combined shoreline prep & gear zone marked on the map above. Your guide will meet you there before you wade in.
Get Directions →Families with kids
A unique date-night activity
Snorkeling beginners
Shell collectors chasing rare finds
Anyone who loves the ocean
Expect a mix of empty shells and shallow-water sea life. What you see changes with the tide and the night. Curious what a shell is? Try our free shell guide at LookForShells.com.
Flat, round finds scattered across the shallows.
Spiraled shells that wash in with the tide.
A classic Gulf Coast shelling find.
Fan-shaped shells hiding in the sand.
Gently observed, then released.
Scuttling into the light pod's glow.
Curious species drawn to the LED light.
Every night on the water is a little different.
Ages 6–11
Ages 12 & up
Ages 5 & under — must text 941-229-8372 to book
Pick a date and time below — real-time availability and instant confirmation, powered by FareHarbor.
Prefer to book by text? Reach us at 941-229-8372.
At City Island Park (Ken Thompson), 1799 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236. There is free paved parking plus grass overflow parking.
No. The water is under 4 feet deep, and every guest gets a safety noodle, whistle and glow stick. It suits beginners and experienced snorkelers alike.
Yes, empty shells are yours to keep in your collection bag. Living creatures such as crabs, seahorses and hermit crabs are observed and returned to the water.
A swimsuit or clothes you do not mind getting wet. We provide aqua socks, so you do not need special footwear.
Adults 12 and up are $60, children 6 to 11 are $45, and kids 5 and under are free. Text 941-229-8372 to book the free tickets.
About 1 hour 15 minutes: roughly 60 minutes in the water and a 15-minute show-and-tell on shore. Tours run after dark, weather permitting. Pick a time in the booking calendar.
Ready to book your Sarasota night shelling tour? Reserve online at Sarasota shelling tours.
Shelling Sarasota