Shell Key Preserve: Three Hour Shelling Cruise

Embark on a thrilling 3-hour shelling cruise at Shell Key Preserve. Explore the island, collect shells, and enjoy a scenic ride along the bay waters. Look out for dolphins, manatees, and seabirds!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Tierra Verde - Explore Shell Key Preserve, located in the mouth of Tampa Bay, a 195 acre barrier Island. You will experience beautiful, calm and protected back bay waters and spot dolphins, seabirds, manatees and other wildlife on the trip.
What's Included
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Snacks
  • Parking fees
Additional Information

The 3-hour Shell Key Shelling Journey, provided by Hubbard’s Marina located at Johns Pass, includes approximately an hour on the island for exploration and shelling. The voyage incorporates a peaceful and enjoyable sail down the sheltered bay waters onboard the HUB Cat 49. During the return trip to Johns Pass, we plan to travel along our beautiful gulf beaches, weather permitting. If the conditions are slightly rough, we will navigate through the sheltered bay waters instead. Dolphins, seabirds, manatees and other wildlife are frequently sighted during our journeys!

Location
170 Boardwalk Pl E
Boardwalk Place East
Located inside beautiful Johns Pass, directly below Hooters on the water, closest to the Johns Pass Bridge.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(116 Ratings)
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226carrid
Aug 8, 2024
Shell key - Such a beautiful morning! Dolphins every where. Knowledgable captains, Shell key had tons of finds after Debby blew through, took a nice dip while we were there & they made shell necklaces with our favorite shell finds. Highly recommend. Our granddaughters fell asleep on the way back in. Great for all ages. Calm ride.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daytrip32021577122
Jul 30, 2024
Great Experience for a GREAT Price! - Such an AMAZING experience! I took my 11-year-old daughter on this trip for her birthday and it was perfect for her to enjoy! Not only did we get to go to a private island to look for seashells, but we were also able to see beautiful dolphins swimming by. Thank you so much again for your kindness and what you do!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hoosiermom2020
Jul 29, 2024
Perfect Day - The trip was absolutely perfect. Captain and crew were friendly and knowledgeable and the island was beautiful. My son found lots of large shells and really enjoyed the clear water. The captain stopped and let us enjoy the sight of multiple dolphins on the way back. I would do this trip again and again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Simbasam33
Jul 27, 2024
Nice trip to Shell key - This was a nice trip with my 15 year old daughter. The ride out to Shell key and back was very pleasant. Not too hot and there were sodas and Chip available for purchase. We saw dolphins on the ride back so the boat stopped to watch them for a few minutes. It was unexpected and awesome. We were able to collect a few shells on the beach and in the water. I felt it was well worth the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dana_d
Jul 27, 2024
Shells - The shells are amazing ! The ride there and back is so nice !! Saw dolphins and rays! Over all a very nice trip !
Review provided by Viator
Brittni_m
Jul 26, 2024
Making memories at Shell Island! - Everyone had an opportunity to make a shell necklace on the boat ride back to the harbor! It was a very nice touch to an amazing experience!
Review provided by Viator
427chasd
Jul 26, 2024
Great trip! - Great crew! We saw dolphins and baby. Saw a manatee when leaving the island. Great trip so much fun! Got so many shells my daughter was so happy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager61857200991
Jul 9, 2024
Last Minute but Worth It - This was a last minute excursion and it was definitely worth the money! We have a 15 month old and an 8 year old and both had a blast. Greg and Scott did a wonderful job with making sure everyone was comfortable and would stop the boat at any sign of a dolphin sighting. Even though the tour was supposed to be 3 hours, it actually ended up being 3.5 hours because of how long we say and watched the dolphins. I would 10/10 recommend going and spending the extra money to experience this with your family. PS: to find the best shells, you need to go to the Gulf side and use some goggles to dive down and get them out of the water versus on the shore.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
368henryk
Jul 1, 2024
Perfect family boat ride - That was a perfect day. Highly recommended. We loved the crew and the trip a lot. Everything as expected and more. Thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jcmwetzel
Jul 20, 2024
Look again - The captain and workers were clearly at end of their rope and not feeling working this time. There was no tour as you slowly go out captain made 4 comments on our surroundings. Limited shells probably because time of year. Nice that they made free seashell necklaces for kids.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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