There is something timeless about Southwest Florida from the water. Long before the luxury high-rises, golf communities, and bustling seasonal traffic, this stretch of the Gulf Coast was defined by mangrove forests, hidden islands, wildlife, and miles of untouched shoreline. Today, one local company is helping residents and visitors reconnect with that original Florida spirit — one shell, dolphin sighting, and sunset cruise at a time.
At the center of that experience is Sand Dollar Shelling, Boat and Tiki Tours, led by husband-and-wife team Evan and Anat Kuperman. Based in Naples and serving Marco Island, Goodland, Keewaydin Island, and the famed Ten Thousand Islands, the company has become known for immersive shelling excursions, laid-back tiki cruises, dolphin encounters, eco-adventures, and unforgettable days on the water.
For Evan Kuperman, the business is deeply personal. A licensed Captain and Florida Master Naturalist, he leads a dedicated team of captains and naturalists running tours daily across Southwest Florida. His passion for marine life, local ecosystems, and the beauty of the Gulf is evident on every excursion. Whether guiding families to secluded shelling beaches or navigating mangrove estuaries in search of dolphins and roseate spoonbills, Evan brings both enthusiasm and deep local knowledge to the experience.
Anat Kuperman, a CPA and entrepreneur with an extensive business background, complements the operation with the strategic expertise and hospitality-focused mindset that have helped Sand Dollar grow into one of the region’s most talked-about on-water experiences. Together, the couple has built a company that blends adventure, relaxation, and authentic Florida charm.
What sets Sand Dollar apart is its ability to offer more than a standard sightseeing excursion. Guests are not simply passengers — they become immersed in a coastal lifestyle that many people dream about when they imagine Naples and Marco Island.
The company’s shelling tours are among its signature experiences. Traveling deep into the Ten Thousand Islands and surrounding barrier islands, guests search for prized seashells scattered along quiet beaches accessible only by boat. Unlike crowded public shorelines, these remote destinations often reveal rare and pristine finds, from tulip shells and fighting conchs to sand dollars and lightning whelks. The experience feels part treasure hunt, part eco-tour, and part old Florida escape.
For many visitors, it becomes more than simply collecting shells. Families reconnect without screens and distractions. Children learn about marine ecosystems firsthand. Couples experience secluded beaches and Gulf sunsets far removed from the pace of everyday life. The excursions offer a reminder that some of Southwest Florida’s greatest luxuries are still its simplest pleasures — nature, water, wildlife, and time together.
Of course, in Southwest Florida, the journey itself is often just as memorable as the destination. Dolphins frequently surface alongside the boats, pelicans skim the water, and osprey circle overhead. Manatees occasionally emerge near the mangroves while the calm Gulf waters reflect endless skies. Sunset cruises transform the horizon into glowing shades of orange, pink, and gold, creating the kind of postcard-worthy moments that define coastal living.
The tiki boat experiences, in particular, have become increasingly popular for birthdays, bachelorette parties, family gatherings, corporate outings, and sunset celebrations. Floating through Naples Bay or cruising toward Keewaydin Island aboard a tiki-style vessel creates a distinctly tropical atmosphere that feels both relaxed and elevated. Guests often bring food, drinks, and music while enjoying the breeze and panoramic scenery along the Paradise Coast.
The company also offers customized experiences ranging from eco-tours and beach days to private charters and water shuttle services between waterfront destinations. Recent tours have included family reunions, wedding celebrations, private sunset cruises, and curated outings departing from Port Royal and downtown Naples. For seasonal residents and tourists alike, the flexibility of the experiences allows guests to tailor a day on the water that feels uniquely personal. Some prefer a quiet morning searching for shells on remote islands, while others seek lively celebrations aboard the tiki boat as the sun dips below the horizon.
As Southwest Florida continues to grow, there is an increasing desire among both residents and visitors for experiences that feel authentic and connected to the region’s natural beauty. Sand Dollar taps directly into that desire by offering a way to experience the Gulf beyond the beach clubs, restaurants, and resort pools.
In many ways, the company reflects the evolution of Naples and Marco Island themselves — balancing luxury tourism with a genuine appreciation for the environment that makes the area so special. While the region has become synonymous with upscale living, boating remains one of the most meaningful ways to experience Southwest Florida at its core.
That authenticity is a large part of why Evan and Anat have built such a loyal following. Their tours combine professionalism and hospitality with the feeling of spending the day on the water with locals who truly love where they live. Guests return not only for the shelling or dolphin sightings, but also for the sense of connection, adventure, and discovery that the Kupermans create.
Social media has further amplified the company’s visibility, with photos of tiki sunsets, shell collections, wildlife encounters, and celebrations shared daily through @sanddollarshelling. Yet despite the growth and popularity, Sand Dollar has maintained a boutique feel that aligns naturally with the Naples and Marco Island lifestyle — personal, welcoming, and deeply connected to the water.
For many Southwest Florida residents, life on the water represents the very essence of the Paradise Coast lifestyle. It is where luxury and nature intersect, where a simple boat ride can turn into an unforgettable memory. Sand Dollar has found a way to preserve and share that feeling through experiences that are equal parts adventure, relaxation, and appreciation for the Gulf’s extraordinary beauty.
In a region known for luxury homes, golf courses, fine dining, and coastal beauty, Sand Dollar offers something increasingly valuable: the opportunity to slow down, step onto the water, and experience Southwest Florida the way it was meant to be experienced — naturally, joyfully, and surrounded by the beauty of the Gulf.
For Evan and Anat Kuperman, it is more than a business. It is a way of sharing the magic of Southwest Florida with everyone who climbs aboard.