Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Adventure through Shell Key Preserve in your 100% clear kayak! See crystal-clear water, diverse marine life, and the underwater world below your clear kayak.
You’ll paddle along mangroves, enjoy white sand beaches and sandbars, and explore a secluded beach. If the tide is high, your guide will lead the way through a hidden mangrove tunnel. Shell Key Preserve is located in Tierra Verde, FL near St. Pete Beach in the Tampa Bay area.
Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, manatees, pelicans, crabs, and more while enjoying the preserve’s picturesque mangroves, beaches, and sandbars. Be on the lookout for a manatee or the beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbills in the summer months. White Pelicans call the sandbars of Shell Key Preserve their home during the winter months! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters and cormorants love to swim alongside your kayak. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
We require one adult per each child under age 12.
We require two adults per each child 3 years old and under.
For your safety, we have a weight limit of 250 lbs per guest, and a combined limit of 425 lbs for two people in a tandem kayak
What To Expect
Your guide will welcome you and provide brief paddling and safety instructions. Then, you’ll be off on an adventure as your tour guide leads the way around the mangrove islands, through the shallows, and to the beach. If the tide is high, your guide will lead the way through a hidden mangrove tunnel. You’ll also take a break at Shell Key's beach, where you can collect shells, take in the views, and be surrounded by nature. Your guide will be happy to take photos and make sure you have fun along the way! Be on the lookout for a manatee or the beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbills in the summer months. White Pelicans call the sandbars of Shell Key Preserve their home during the winter months! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters and cormorants love to swim alongside your kayak. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.
Options
Clear Kayak Tour
What‘s Included
Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags
Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles
Gratuities
While we have bottles available, we HIGHLY encourage guests to bring REUSABLE water bottles!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
6,374 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great evening trip with guide Ben.
Trhtmassa,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I booked the 6pm kayak tour. Ben was our guide and was very knowledgeable and enjoyable. Experience was a great trip amd enjoyed early evening at Shell Key. I would recommend bring a change of dry clothes. You naturally get a bit wet from kayak. Great experience l!
Brilliant tour, fab guides and beautiful scenery and wildlife.
TrailBlazer596214,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Visited as part of a group of 15 and Jenna and Raven were the perfect hosts - friendly, welcoming and entertaining and so knowledgeable pointing out all the incredible wildlife. The scenery was stunning and really enjoyed the stop at the beautiful beach. Incredibly lucky to see mantatees right at the start of our trip. Would 100% recommend. Thanks for an incredible experience Raven and Jenna :)
Dolphins and beach nice time
jasonvU7704IV,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks Ben! Had a great time. And saw dolphins!
Awesome experience
983lawrencea,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jenna was great.. very informative
Friendly Guide, Lots of wildlife to See
austellef2026,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was Jenna and she was super friendly and knowledgeable. We saw manatees, sea turtle, dolphins, pelicans, ospreys, egrets, a roseate spoonbill, and a very large snail. My teen daughter and I enjoyed collecting shells and learning about local wildlife.
Good vibes, very scenic, also a pretty good workout:)
SWASucks,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hannah was amazing, very knowledgeable and friendly. Had a great father's day with my daughter! Thanks Hannah
Clear Kayak Tour
149gabbyc,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hannah was our tour guide on Father’s day and made the experience wonderful! Her knowledge and love for the waters made the experience even more memorable. 10/10 experience and 10/10 guide :)
Perfect Experience!
meghanmD7929FT,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hannah is as the best! We recommend this experience! Best Father’s Day ever!
Absolutely wonderful.
jackpE9128QF,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely fantastic. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and the geography of the ocean floor where we were.
Excellent, easy, entertaining adventure
K5859IYjs,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00After a week of touring St. Petersburg on my own, I decided that I wanted a bit more adventure, and a dependable way to get to Shell Key. This tour was perfect! Great communication. Easy to find. And the tour guide Alessia was kind, patient, informative, and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. Highly recommended!
Related Experiences
Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay