Shell Key Preserve: Three Hour Shelling Cruise
4.8
72 Ratings
Madeira Beach
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
(72 Ratings)
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Gregory_j
Apr 6, 2024
Shell yeah! - This trip is fun for the whole family! We saw so many dolphins and had plenty of time to explore and look for shells!
Review provided by Viator
Christina_h
Apr 5, 2024
Fun family adventure - Nice little cruise to Shell Key Preserve. We had a great time looking for shell treasures! Fun was had by all! We would do this again.
Review provided by Viator
Sherpittsburgh
Mar 30, 2024
Enjoyable for the whole family - This scenic tour was an excellent way to show family the beauty of the golf coast. The stop at shell island was relaxing and enjoyable as well. The captains went out of their way to inform us of the history of this area as well as pointing out dolphin sitings. The kids on board were very excited with the shell necklaces. A wonderful morning.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sharon_n
Mar 28, 2024
Excellent Event - We really enjoyed this event. We collected so many shells. The views were beautiful and the staff was amazing. I would highly recommend this to other families!
Review provided by Viator
X4881rjstacyr
Mar 28, 2024
A Great Experience - This was a great experience. Very well organized; the boat had comfortable seating in that you didn’t feel cramped at all. On the way to the island captain Greg spotted a family of four dolphin with their baby and rode along side them a good ways. The island is full of shells. We had the best time, so you relaxing and capt No Scott made necklaces out of shells for anyone who wanted them. We saw more dolphin on the way back. Would definitely recommend this and do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Skibumgypsy
Mar 27, 2024
Shell Key Was Swell! - Our group of five had a lovely, informative visit to Shell Key. The beach was beautiful, white sand, and there were many perfect shells to collect. Further down the beach is an interesting tree where visitors hang shells. It's a great place to take pictures and leave shells you want to display! As we traveled, we saw dolphins and nesting ospreys. The crew pointed out landmarks and also took us to see more dolphins when we returned to John's Pass. We even were given free shell necklaces as a souvenir; you could also use the shells you collected to make your own necklace. Overall, it was a very fun trip and we plan to do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brittneyb399
Mar 26, 2024
Memory to last a life time! - This was something we will never forget. Our guide was so nice and had a lot of knowledge. We saw dolphins on the way out. We went shelling and did some snorkeling on the island. And we saw a shark on the way back in!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
161gregp
Mar 24, 2024
Family Trip to Shell Key - Wife and I with children and grandchildren took this cruise to Shell Key for a fun day. Eleven of us total and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
675katiev
Mar 24, 2024
Great experience - Great trip! Easy to find pickup location. The cruise was exactly what I was expecting. Everything went well. Definitely something for the whole family to do.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zack_m
Apr 2, 2024
Good trip - Trip was nice and the guides were great. The good shells were few and far between. We were under the impression it would be a little more secluded and off the beaten path. The beach was packed. The kids got to see dolphins so that was a score.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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