They run tours all year. December in Florida is a top season

This is a good tour for shelling on a private little island, especially if you go with Capt. Marco who can tell you the life cycle of the various whelks and other interesting facts about the creatures that lived in those shells.

the beaches at Cape Romano are accessible by boat only. Yes, you can run your dog there.

Once you get to Cape Romano Island, you could walk/swim out to the houses (the water is not deep), but you do have to get to the island in the first place.

Capt. Joey Benko and he is excellent. 239-450-7382 Bustin Loose Charters

I believe you can go in your own boat because they do shelling tours and there are people on the islands all the time

I don't know if it's even legal, but if so- I wouldn't. My concern is weather; you don't want to be stuck down there if something goes wrong. Best to cruise the area on a nice day, have a look at the diminishing dome house, and go back up to Marco or Naples for a hotel. Off season, as in now, you'll find reasonable rates. I couldn't post it here b/c html characters are not allowed, but try searching "barrier island camping disasters" and look for Cape Romano. Good luck and have fun !

Breakwater Adventures with Captain Alex Demooy. Been out with him several times. He knows the area and tailors the tour to you interests.