Guided kayak tours
to Shell Key

Q: What is the difference between clear kayaks and coastal kayaks?

Clear kayaks have a transparent hull that lets you see into the water below as you paddle. Coastal kayaks are traditional sit-on-top kayaks that provide a classic paddling experience. Both options are stable and suitable for beginners.

Q: What should I bring on a Shell Key kayak tour?

We recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, water, comfortable clothing that can get wet, water shoes or sandals, and a small dry bag for personal items.

Q: Is Shell Key kayaking safe?

Yes. Tours take place in calm, protected waters and guests are provided life jackets. Guides remain with the group and adjust routes based on weather and water conditions.

Paddle through hidden mangrove tunnels and out to a pristine Gulf barrier island that most tourists never find. Clear kayaks or traditional coastal kayaks. No experience needed.

$54 / $64

Coastal/Clear per person · approximately 3 hours · all gear included

BOOK YOUR KAYAK TOUR

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TRIPADVISOR 5-STAR REVIEWS

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HOURS ON THE WATER

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

2013

FAMILY OWNED SINCE

THE EXPERIENCE

St. Pete kayak tours —
the route that changes everything

Most visitors to St. Pete Beach never see the mangroves. They're tucked inside Shell Key Preserve — a protected 1,800-acre barrier island ecosystem accessible only by small watercraft. No motorboats. No crowds. Just paddlers who know where to look.

Island Ferry's guided kayak tours launch from Tierra Verde and follow a route through the calm backwaters, into the hidden mangrove tunnel system, and out to Shell Key's open Gulf beach. Your guide leads the way, narrates the ecosystem, and makes sure nobody gets lost in the tunnels — which happens more easily than you'd think.

Because kayaking is silent and low-impact, wildlife encounters are closer and more frequent than on any motorized tour. Dolphins, manatees, rays, and shorebirds all behave differently when there's no engine noise. You'll notice the difference immediately.

CHOOSE YOUR KAYAK

Two kayak options —
same great tour, different experience

Both kayak types work beautifully on this tour. Here's how to choose.

Clear-Kayak-Tour-Shell-Key-St-Pete_edite

Clear transparent kayak

The hull is completely transparent — you paddle directly over the seagrass beds, and estuaries below. It's a genuinely different way to experience the water and the reason most guests choose this option.

See marine life directly beneath you
Unique transparent hull experience
Ultra-stable — easy to paddle
Great for photos and video

Coastal sit-on-top kayak

A classic sit-on-top kayak with superior back support and a more traditional paddling feel. Slightly more comfortable for longer distances and ideal for guests who prefer a conventional kayaking experience.

Superior back support and comfort
Classic paddling feel
Ideal for longer distances
All skill levels welcome

THE ROUTE

Where our St. Pete kayak tour goes —
from launch to Shell Key

Your kayak tour launches from Butler's Hole in Tierra Verde — a calm, sheltered launch point just minutes from St. Pete Beach. Named and used by the locals for decades. Your guide leads the group from there.

Butler's Hole — Tierra Verde launch

2800 Pinellas Bayway South. Calm sheltered water. Safety briefing and gear fitting before departure.

Backcountry channels and seagrass flats

Shallow, calm protected waters teeming with rays, fish, and occasional dolphins. Excellent wildlife viewing here.

Shell Key mangrove tunnels

The highlight of the tour — a network of hidden mangrove tunnels accessible only by kayak. Your guide navigates. You explore. Wildlife is everywhere.

Shell Key beach

Open Gulf beach at the end of the paddle. Walk the shoreline, collect shells and sand dollars, swim in clear shallow water. Afterwards, head back to the launch. See our Shell Key visitor's guide for more.

WILDLIFE YOU MAY SEE

Kayak tours St Pete —
wildlife closer than you'd expect

Kayaking is silent. Wildlife behaves differently around quiet watercraft than motorized boats — encounters are closer, longer, and more natural.

Bottlenose dolphins

Frequently seen in the channels and open water around Shell Key. Dolphins often approach kayaks out of curiosity — an encounter that's genuinely different from a motorized tour.

Fish and marine life

Schools of fish visible through clear kayak hulls. Horseshoe crabs, conchs, sand dollars, and hermit crabs on the Shell Key beach. Occasional sea turtle sightings in warmer months.

Manatees

Seasonally common in the shallow grass flats near Shell Key. Once Gulf water temperatures reach 73°F, manatees appear regularly. Kayaks get closer than any boat can.

Mangrove ecosystem

The mangrove tunnels are a nursery habitat for juvenile fish and home to fiddler crabs, mangrove crabs, and roosting birds. Your guide explains the ecology as you paddle through.

Rays

Eagle rays, cownose rays, and southern stingrays glide across the sandy bottoms beneath clear kayaks. Visible from directly above in the shallow water.

Shorebirds

Pelicans, ospreys, herons, egrets, oystercatchers, and roseate spoonbills along Shell Key's shores and mangrove edges. The mangrove tunnels are particularly rich with bird activity.

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READY TO BOOK

Kayak tour pricing —
St. Petersburg, FL

Tidal conditions affect availability — advance booking is strongly recommended.

$54pp Coastal kayak, $64pp Clear

Not including tax or gratuity

TOUR TYPE

Guided kayak tour to Shell Key Preserve

KAYAK OPTIONS

Coastal sit-on-top or Clear transparent

GEAR INCLUDED

Kayak, paddle, life jacket, safety briefing

PARKING

Free at the launch location

DURATION

Approximately 3 hours

LAUNCHES FROM

2800 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde

SCHEDULE

Daily, weather and tides permitting

EXPERIENCE NEEDED

None — beginner friendly

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water. Swimwear recommended. A waterproof phone case is useful for wildlife photos. Leave valuables in your car.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Kayak tour FAQ —
St. Petersburg, FL

Do I need kayaking experience to join the tour?

No experience is required. Island Ferry’s guided kayak tours to Shell Key are beginner-friendly, and your guide provides instruction and a safety briefing before you head out. Calm, protected waters make these tours comfortable for first-time kayakers.

What is the difference between clear kayaks and coastal kayaks?

Clear kayaks offer a transparent hull that allows you to see into the water below as you paddle over seagrass beds and marine life. Coastal kayaks are traditional sit-on-top kayaks that provide a classic paddling experience. Both options are stable and suitable for beginners. Full transparency: The Coastal kayaks offer far better back support and comfort than do the clear kayaks.

How long are the Shell Key kayak tours?

Most Shell Key kayak tours last approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, including paddling time and time to explore Shell Key Preserve.

Where do the kayak tours depart from?

Kayak tours depart from a convenient launch location near Tierra Verde / St. Pete Beach. Exact meeting and parking details are provided after booking.

What wildlife might we see on a kayak tour?

Wildlife sightings vary by season but commonly include dolphins, manatees (in warmer months), rays, fish, and coastal birds such as pelicans, herons, and ospreys. Kayaking offers a quiet way to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Are children allowed on the kayak tours?

Yes. Children are welcome on our guided kayak tours, though age and size requirements may apply for safety reasons. Please contact Island Ferry if you have questions about bringing younger children.

What should I bring on a Shell Key kayak tour?

We recommend bringing:

Sunscreen and a hat
Water to stay hydrated
Comfortable clothing that can get wet
Water shoes or sandals
A small dry bag for personal items

Is Shell Key kayaking safe?

Yes. Island Ferry conducts kayak tours in calm, protected waters, and all guests are provided with life jackets. Guides remain with the group at all times and adjust routes based on weather and water conditions. There are NO alligators, and 99% of the tour is on less than 2 feet of water.