- Discover the Treasures Wilma left Behind at Ground Zero - 

Marco Island, FL., (November 1, 2005);  Shelling has always been a popular attraction for Cape Romano and Marco Island, the two larger barrier islands that act as the entryway to the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades. 

Since Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Cape Romano, this area is experiencing an overwhelming abundance of unique and rare shells that have washed ashore.  Captain George Buonocore, who charters Marco Island Watersports’ Calusa Spirit urges visitors to take advantage of this natural phenomenon. “Typically the best shells can be found at low tide, however, Wilma caused huge waves to crash ashore 30 to 40 feet past the normal height.  When that high surf breaks, the shells collect in large pockets all over the beach.”  There are also reports of beach erosion on the Gulf side – which caused major sand dunes to disappear and left behind a larger, wider beach.  Also, a new pass has opened up on Cape Romano’s South tip.

Wilma’s strong winds and waves delivered both living and nonliving shells to the beaches from the Gulf’s depths. The day after Hurricane Wilma passed through, both Captains George Buonocore and Jack Malloy rescued 20 full grown, live horse conchs and other assorted species from Cape Romano’s beachfront.  Lightning Whelk, Florida Fighting Conch, True Tulip, Florida Spiny Jewelbox, and Atlantic Figsnail are just a few of the plentiful and exotic shells which can normally be found on Cape Romano.

Although Hurricane Wilma threatened to be a potentially catastrophic storm when it arrived in Collier County, residents were fortunate it only produced minor damage and temporary power outages.   Marco Island Watersports was also fortunate to have experienced only minor damage from the onslaught of Wilma.  The category three storm damaged our beach hut locations, however, no harm was done to our watersports equipment. 

Located at the Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa, and the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, we offer shelling excursions aboard the Calusa Spirit, guided Waverunner Tours through the Ten Thousand Islands, Parasailing, and small watercraft rentals.  Our Shelling Cruises, Waverunner Tours, and Parasailing Adventures are currently in operation and our activities are open to the public. 

Our guided Waverunner Tours explore the Ten Thousand Islands - the mangrove forests that act as a gateway to the Everglades.  Visitors can now witness the effects Wilma had on this subtropical ecosystem and observe the many rare animals and marine life that survived this natural phenomenon. 

To schedule reservations for our activities and tours, please contact the following Marco Island Watersports locations: