727-742-2277
SHELL KEY PADDLEBOARDING • ST PETERSBURG, FL
Stand-up Paddleboard tours
to Shell Key
The same guided route as our kayak tours — mangrove tunnels, backwater channels, and Shell Key beach — standing up. Hard boards and inflatables available.
$54 / $64
Hard SUP / iSUP per person · approximately 3 hours · all gear included
2900+
TRIPADVISOR 5-STAR REVIEWS
1000+
GOOGLE 5-STAR REVIEWS
3
HOURS ON THE WATER
2
TYPES OF SUPS
2013
FAMILY OWNED SINCE
THE EXPERIENCE
Stand up paddleboarding
to Shell Key Preserve
If you already paddleboard and you're looking for a guided route through some of the most beautiful water on Florida's Gulf Coast — this is it. Island Ferry's SUP tour follows the same guided route as our kayak tours, which means you get the full Shell Key experience: backwater channels, wildlife-rich seagrass flats, the mangrove tunnel network, and Shell Key's open Gulf beach.
You'll paddle with a guided group that includes kayakers — the pace is relaxed, the route is well-suited to intermediate paddlers, and the wildlife encounters are the same ones that have made this one of the most reviewed eco-tour routes in Tampa Bay.
We have both hard boards and inflatable SUPs available. If you've been considering buying an inflatable and want to test one in real conditions before committing, this is a genuine opportunity to do exactly that.
Same route as kayak tours
Mangrove tunnels, seagrass flats, Shell Key beach — the full guided route from the Butler's Hole launch point
Hard & inflatable boards
Both board types available — a chance to compare them in real Gulf Coast conditions
Guided group tour
Led by an experienced guide along with other paddlers — relaxed pace, excellent wildlife spotting
Experience required · Ages 16+
This tour is for paddlers who are already comfortable on a SUP in open water
CHOOSE YOUR BOARD
Hard board or inflatable SUP —
which one is right for you?
We carry both board types on this tour. If you have a preference, note it when booking. Not sure which to choose? Your guide can help you decide on the day.
Hard board
A rigid epoxy SUP — stiffer, faster, and more responsive than an inflatable. Better performance in choppier conditions and easier to maneuver in the mangrove tunnels.
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Better performance and glide
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More responsive to paddle strokes
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Handles chop better than inflatables
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Easier to maneuver in tight spaces
Inflatable SUP
Modern inflatable boards have come a long way — when properly inflated they're surprisingly rigid and well-suited to calm, sheltered water like the Shell Key route. A great option if you're considering buying one.
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Comfortable soft deck underfoot
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Ideal for calm, sheltered water
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Test one before you buy
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Great for beginners to inflatables
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. Shell Key is one of our favorites of St Pete's barrier islands
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
SUP tours St. Pete —
wildlife closer than you'd expect
Paddleboarding is silent. Wildlife behaves differently around quiet watercraft than motorized boats — encounters are closer, longer, and more natural. Standing height gives you a bird's-eye view into the water that kayakers don't get.
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 from your paddleboard. 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. Paddleboards get closer than any boat.
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 you. 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.
READY TO BOOK
SUP tour pricing —
St. Petersburg, FL
Tidal conditions affect availability — advance booking is strongly recommended.
$54pp Hard Board, $64pp iSUP
Not including tax or gratuity
TOUR TYPE
Guided SUP tour to Shell Key Preserve
BOARD OPTIONS
Hard board or inflatable SUP
GEAR INCLUDED
Board, paddle, leash, life jacket
PARKING
Free at the launch location
DURATION
Approximately 3 hours
LAUNCHES FROM
2830 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde
SCHEDULE
Daily, weather and tides permitting
EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Prior paddleboard experience required · Ages 16+
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water. Swimwear recommended. A waterproof phone case is useful for wildlife photos. Leave valuables in your car.
OTHER EXPERIENCES
More ways to explore
St. Pete's coastal waters
$64pp
Dolphin Cruise to Shell Key
A semi-private charter to Shell Key preserve. See dolphins on the way. Snorkel the beach at Shell Key Island. $64 Dolphin Cruise details
$549 / 6ppl
Private Egmont Snorkeling Charter
A half-day private charter visiting three islands — Egmont Key, Outback Key & Shell Key. $549 per 6 people. Egmont Snorkeling details
$69pp
Romantic Sunset Cruise
Adults-only. Max 6 guests. BYOB. The Gulf at golden hour — from $69pp.
$549 / 6ppl
Passage Key Charter
A private charter to Passage Key — one of Florida's most secluded barrier islands. Clothing-optional. $549 Passage Key info
$499 / 6ppl
Sandbar Party Charter
A private 4.5-hour charter to the Gulf's most beautiful sandbars — where the locals go to party. $499
$89 to $549
Bachelorette Party Options
We know what makes a bachelorette party unforgettable — a private boat, cold drinks, beautiful water, and zero strangers. From $89 See details
COMMON QUESTIONS
Paddleboard tour FAQ —
St. Petersburg, FL
Do I need paddleboard experience for this tour?
Yes — prior paddleboard experience is required. You should be comfortable standing, balancing, and paddling a SUP in open water before joining. If you're new to paddleboarding, our guided kayak tour covers the same route and is beginner-friendly.
What boards are available — hard boards or inflatables?
We have both hard boards and inflatable SUPs available. If you have a preferred board type, let us know when booking and we'll do our best to accommodate. Both types are well-suited to the calm, sheltered waters of the Shell Key route.
Can I try an inflatable paddleboard I've been considering buying?
Yes — this is a great opportunity to get real on-water time on an inflatable SUP before committing to a purchase. Our guides can give you honest feedback on how the boards perform in Gulf Coast conditions. We'll be adding specific board models to the fleet soon.
What is the minimum age for the paddleboard tour?
The minimum age is 16 years. All participants must have prior paddleboard experience. For younger guests or beginners, our kayak tour is the better option.
Do paddleboards go through the mangrove tunnels?
Yes — the mangrove tunnels are included in the paddleboard tour route. Standing on a SUP through the tunnel system is a unique experience — the elevated perspective is quite different from a kayak.
Where does the paddleboard tour launch from?
The tour launches from Butler's Hole at 2800 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde — the same sheltered launch point as our kayak tours. Free parking is available on site.
How does the paddleboard tour compare to the kayak tour?
Both tours follow the same route to Shell Key Preserve — backwater channels, mangrove tunnels, and Shell Key beach. The paddleboard tour requires prior experience and is more physically demanding. The kayak tour is beginner-friendly and suitable for all ages. SUP paddlers join the same guided group as kayakers.
What should I bring?
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and lots of water. Wear a swimsuit or quick-dry clothing — you may get wet. A waterproof phone case is strongly recommended for wildlife photos. Leave valuables in your car.
