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
(181 Ratings)
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Tracy_m
Mar 22, 2026
Amazing experience - Amazing experience. The guides were fantastic. Engaging and very knowledgeable Weather was just perfect for the few hours. The group was mixed ability and we were all able to go at our own pace. We saw dolphins, cormorants and other birds, a the mangroves were so pretty. The time on shell key was lovely. You can walk around or just chill on the stunning beach and swim. One of the best experiences I’ve done in a long time. Would do again and would 100% recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Matt
Mar 21, 2026
A fantastic kayaking adventure to Shell Key - From booking to the end, this experience was fantastic. We had a booking for a morning tour, but winds got strong so the tour was canceled and we were contacted promptly with several options for rebooking. We took an afternoon tour instead. Scott was a great guide with lots of info and stories about the area, nature, and wildlife. On our particular tour, the group spotted a dolphin, and also a cormorant that had been snared by a fishhook (apparent by the attached bobber and the bird’s struggle). Scott was able to bring the bird into his kayak and free it from its impediment before releasing it back to freedom. It was quite an experience to witness. Scott and Karissa’s reverence for the habitat was obvious and they enjoy sharing it with guests. The time on Shell Key was great too - shell bags were provided to help with collecting, and you can enjoy a beach mostly unpopulated by anything but seabirds and other wildlife. If you are even considering this tour, do it. The price is very reasonable, you don’t need to be in shape or athletic to do it, and seriously, the water is shallow everywhere so if you are not a swimmer, put your worries aside and enjoy the water.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kandkdrum
Feb 21, 2026
Shell key kayaking w our favorite visitors - Scott and team were excellent teachers of the native wild life and mangroves. I have been on a shell key tour before and this one blew it out of the water. Mangrove tunnels were the best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway303406
Jan 13, 2026
Perfect Kayak Tour - This was our third time booking with Island Kayak Tours, and it just keeps getting better! Scott and Karissa are wonderful guides. We saw a dolphin surface near our kayaks and loved shelling. We can't wait to book our next tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Happyretiredgrammy
Nov 25, 2025
T-giving Family kayaking at Sunset - Karisa and Scott are an amazing team and very knowledgeable of the eco system. That is why we have gone with them several times in the last 10 years. We relaxed while kayaking and enjoying each other and the outdoors. There were 16 of us this trip - our whole family with 8 grandkids ranging from 17 to 4. Have never been disappointed yet. Did the Sunset Cruise this time and it was a spectacular setting. Loved every minute of it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brianto7591tz
Aug 31, 2025
Sun and Fun! - Great family time. Kayaked 4 miles. 2 out. 2 in. Scott was very informative. Great information about the area. Mangrove canopy was neat to see. The shelling was the best. Lots of beautiful shells. We got to see spider crabs in there water too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T4739tbandreas
Aug 2, 2025
Great trip for the family - We had a wonderful trip with Scott and Karissa. They are very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife and showed us a lot while we kayaked across to shell ley island, including some great mangrove tunnels. They were always mindful of the entire group and made sure everybody had a good experience. The pace was suited for beginners. We highly recommend it and if we are ever in the area again, we will definitely book this kayak adventure again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
390tommyv
Aug 2, 2025
Kayak Tour 2025 - This was our 2nd time using island kayak tours. Scott & Karissa do a great job of making the trip a lot of fun, not just another kayak tour. Highly recommend this guys, you will not regret it and have a great time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jimcu686pi
May 4, 2025
Kayak Adventure - This was a great time and Scott really know how to find dolphins and other sea creatures during out trip. The mangroves were so cool and we loved shell Key. It was a trip we plan on doing again and have told all our friends and family about. A trip worth taking!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sam
Apr 19, 2025
Adventure, some day in the sun lots of dolphin watching - Very entertaining and knowledgeable guides local couple provides phenomenal experience, exploring local natural habitat
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $58
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).