Shell Key Preserve: Unique Local Kayak Adventure

Join Scott and Karissa, the owners and guides of Island Kayak Tours, for a unique and unforgettable kayak adventure through the mangrove tunnels of Shell Key Preserve. Discover the beauty of St. Petersburg, Florida, and get a chance to see dolphins, manatees, and more!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Tierra Verde - Tours take place in Shell Key Preserve. As a native Floridian, I will guide you through the backcountry of the preserve. Through shallow grassy meadows we go, watching fish jump and birds hunt; all the while, ducking through the mangrove tunnels (tide permitting) and allowing time for pictures and explanations of the surrounding…
What's Included
  • Kayak, paddle, and lifejacket (PFD) provided
  • Equipped with a whistle or signaling device
Additional Information

Hello, my name is Scott. Along with Karissa, I co-own and operate Island Kayak Tours. Our excursion will lead you through the mangrove tunnels, provided the tide allows, and we tactically time your journey to maximize your chances of seeing dolphins and manatees. We also allocate free time for you to discover Shell Key Island, be it for shell…

Location
Pinellas Bayway South
We launch from a public launch site off Pinellas Bayway in Tierra Verde. Directions & a map will be included with your reservation confirmation message.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(159 Ratings)
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994pamelah
Nov 15, 2024
Great time! - Scott was awesome!! What a great kayak tour. Our 4, 14, 17, and 18 y/o all really enjoyed it. No prior skill needed. What a blast! Would definitely use them again!! Trip was 3 hrs - 1hr to the island, 1hr on the beach, and 1hr on the way back. Don't forget your hat, water, and sunscreen!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenniferfv7040ii
Aug 29, 2024
Great day on the water! - Had an amazing time with Karissa and her husband. He is a wealth of knowledge and both are so nice. We kayaked in shallow water then through mangroves and then got to go in the water at Shell Beach. Founds lots of sand dollars. It was the perfect amount of time paddling and relaxation! Loved the birds swimming along side us and putting on show catching fish! Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
243dannis
Aug 17, 2024
Shell key preservation Kayak - Very nice experience and our family enjoyed it so much! We were very lucky that we saw manatees as well. Highly recommend the trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah_s
Aug 5, 2024
Great trip!!! - I'm a fan of kayak tours and have done quite a few along the east coast, including through mangroves. Scott was easily the best tour guide I've ever had! Gave great easy to follow instructions for new kayakers, incredibly personable and friendly, immediately memorized the names of everyone on the group, and shared really interesting local history and facts on all of the animals, fish, plants, etc. that we saw throughout the trip. He was just extremely engaging and helpful. Karissa brought up the rear, making sure everyone was doing ok and no one left behind. One of the coolest parts was the cormorant birds hanging with the group so they could dive for the fish we were stirring up by kayaking. We watched them catch so many fish! Shell Key, as the name implies, is filthy with beautiful shells! I could have stayed there all day. Scott and Karissa had shell bags you could borrow, but we had brought our own plus snorkels, which was a good move.
Review provided by Viator
Lesliehv6018rf
Jul 21, 2024
Best tour! - This was a fabulous tour. The guides were very knowledgeable and we could hear them no matter where we were in the group. Navigating through the mangrove tunnels was a highlight. 💯 recommend this tour if you’re visiting the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Flyneen
Jul 19, 2024
Not Just for Tourists - Island Kayak Tours offers the best kayaking experience in the Tampa Bay Area. Scott and Karissa, the guides, are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the area. Scott, who grew up exploring these waters, shares fascinating details about the local ecosystem and the mangroves. This was my second time on this tour, and each experience has been exceptional. Kayaking through the mangroves and visiting Shell Key Island for some relaxing beach time is simply amazing. I highly recommend this tour to everyone; the beauty of the surroundings and the expertise of the guides make it unforgettable. If you're considering booking, just do it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawnlc1308dw
Jul 14, 2024
Great Experience! - Scott and Karissa were amazing guides. They are patient, kind, full of knowledge & understanding. Our original trip needed to be postponed due to higher than normal winds, which would’ve made our excursion harder and longer. They called ahead of time and we rescheduled before flying back home. They are also very accommodating if someone gets tired and can’t completely paddle back. Our 13 yr needed a tow just about 1/4 mi out from finishing. We would book with them again in a heartbeat! Thank you for a wonderful time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X2399mnmarciam
Jul 3, 2024
All around awesome tour! - We all had a wonderful time! They were right there waiting, informative and extremely knowledgeable. Never rushed, nice shell key break and personable! The pricing was fair and I would definitely recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mel_a
Jun 14, 2024
Great day with Scott & Karissa - We had a great time with Scott & Karissa, owners of the Island Kayak Tours. They are really really nice people and will take care of everyone. They made sure all are safe while enjoying the kayaking and seeing all the wild animals. Scott has A LOT of energy and story to share. Our kids had a great time! and we loved exploring the area plus the white sandy Shell Beach. It was a wonderful morning and a perfect weather. Just be there 15-20 mins before the call time so you can prepare and hear the instructions. we HIGHLY recommend this and will love doing again if we will be in the area. Thank you very much especially to Ms. Karissa for all the help when we had hard time navigating our kayak with our kid. It was easy to do but we badly need team work :D
Review provided by Viator
Ftnsan
Jun 9, 2024
A great outing! Don’t miss out! - Kayaking through the mangroves and spending time on Shell Island was awesome. Scott is very knowledgeable of the area!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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