Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area

Overview

Available languages

English

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‘s Included

Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles

Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags

Gratuities

While we have bottles available, we HIGHLY encourage guests to bring REUSABLE water bottles!

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.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Clear Kayak Tour

Reviews

4.97

5,622 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5513

Nature and clear water
kimberm99,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderful nature views. Ben had a great working knowledge of the surroundings and was informative regarding different species. The kayaking was fun and you could see through the bottom of the boat. We saw jumping fish and ducks and plenty of white pelicans which are enormous 😉
Great tour experience!
20norac,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Alessia did a great job and was very knowledgeable of the area! Learned a lot in this experience! Highly recommend the tour to all!
10/10 - highly recommend!
971livvyw,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
As a beginner, this experience with Alessia was everything I could have hoped for and more. She created such a welcoming, supportive space that made it easy to feel comfortable and connected. While we were kayaking, we could ask her anything, she was so knowledgeable and passionate, especially about the wildlife and environment around us. You could tell she truly loves what she does. Her energy is so uplifting and she has a really special way of bringing people together. Highly recommend joining one of her excursions !
An AWESOME trip, well worth your time and money!
Navigator218628,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a wonderfully time!! Jenna was a great guide. Pointing out when to see critters beneath the water through the clear kayak to pointing out the awesome wildlife. She also spotted and pointed out several rare birds. We saw a Bald eagle, many white pelecans areiving from a long migration from western Canada, a Rosetta spoonbill ( long after it should have gone to a warmer area), Great Blue Heron, a Redish Heron ( not the correct name but a very rare bird for the area), snowy herons, tricolor Heron, Ospray, Cormonaut, and Anahinga which is not a complet list. She also showed us a large welk from inlet floor. She was so knowledgeable about the area and the local ecology. I would recommend this trip to anyone! I'm sure I will do it again!! Jenna made.this trip exceptional.
Great kayak tour of the preserve!
Brad F,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Alessia is a fantastic guide! The tour is incredible and very informative!! Our family loved it and we will for sure do this tour again the next time we are in the area!!
Great tour with Less!
adamwB4869YL,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Less was awesome. What a great tour. Sh as a wealth of information about the area. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone in the area.
Fun day
Pioneer23889977517,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Les crushed it! Great local knowledge and enthusiasm. We had a great time. Good exercise and adventure. The white pelicans were beautiful.
Alessia was great!
Jennifer F,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Less was amazing! Knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. Took our two kids (8 and 11) and everyone had a blast! We saw a bald eagle among other wildlife!
Cool tour guide (Less), lots of shells, birds and more!
4kristinaw,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Less was awesome! Great information, and really knew her stuff! I found lots of shells. She was very gracious about us showing up late. Saw lots of cool birds. Just a great time!
Private and Beautiful
caseycH5286HK,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We ended up having a private tour with Chris which was awesome! Shell Island was beautiful and the kayaking easy even with a little wind.