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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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!
Options
Clear Kayak Tour
Reviews
6,080 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Kayaking Experience
Stay60774668964,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jenna was an excellent guide for our kayaking trip. She made the whole experience smooth, safe, and really enjoyable. Her instructions were clear, she kept great energy the entire time, and you could tell she genuinely cared about making sure everyone had a good time. Highly recommend her if you’re looking for a great kayaking experience.
Casual activity enjoyment.
4adventure seeking,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely pace. Very enjoyable with a great guide named Raven. Loved her.
Fun morning kayak adventure!
Relax47392964162,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Raven was an awesome tour guide. She explained some very interesting ecological and marine facts about animal and bird habitat. It was a beautiful kayak trip through the mangrove tunnels and sandbar!
Beautiful scenery and wonderful guide.
judyaD2599YM,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Raven S. Was a wonderful and informative guide. She was patient with the”older” slower kayakers. (Us)!
Beautiful tour
960filippaa,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ben was an amazing tour guide! He was super nice and gave interesting insight about the areas we were in and knew the answer to everything we asked. He also helped us understand how to interact with the natural wildlife in a respectful way. Thank you ben!
Clearly a great experience
davidsY1147TA,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Jenna is so knowledgeable and helpful teaching us about the ecology, impacts on nature due to human activity, and history of this beautiful place
Serentiy
tonygV4213VO,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip! Would highly recommend to anyone. We will be booking another tour with Jessie our next to trip to Florida.
Shell Key Amazing Clear Kayak Adventure — Alessia Was Fantastic
W7421QAtimh,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience on the Shell Key clear kayaking tour! Our guide, **Alessia**, was fantastic from beginning to end. She was extremely knowledgeable about the Shell Key Preserve waterway and shared so many interesting details about the area’s ecosystem and history. The absolute highlight was when Alessia guided us to a spot where we were able to see **dolphins up close**, and even a **manatee swimming right through the channel**. It was one of those unforgettable moments you hope for on a tour like this. The pace was relaxed, the scenery was beautiful, and Alessia made everyone feel comfortable and engaged throughout the trip. Highly recommend this tour — and especially Alessia. She truly made the experience special.
Informative Guide, beautiful tour and well worth it!
616kearat,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sarah was an informative and engaging guide. We loved paddling through the mangroves and kayaking up to the beach. It felt like we were in the Bahamas! Stunning clear water. We learned a lot about the land, nature and environment and left with a new appreciation of this part of Florida. The clear kayaks were awesome! Comfortable and we got to see birds and manatees swim under us! Great do a family, couples in our group had a blast and a single guy. Highly recommend!
Excellent
maks328,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lots of fun and a beautiful paddle.
From US$79.00
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Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay