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
6,152 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun activity
Z610TTkathleenb,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Went for a mother’s day activity with my mom and we are locals and had a great time. Ben, our tour guide, was super friendly and very knowledgeable about the wildlife and surrounding areas.
Great time, good value, definitely not shorted on this opportunity
O9550BFisabellag,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great time, good value, definitely not shorted on this opportunity
Good for your soul !
N8805GPbeckys,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Les was awesome, fun , easy going and informative! It was a beautiful time!
Clear kayak and clearly be back!
H5683MGjonathanf,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alessia was a great guide! She knows what she is doing and took us on a trip through high tide which was amazing!
Went through the mangroves and shell island, was very fun and informative
D3344FXpatrickc,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris was great very informative
Clear skies and a clear yak
taylorrF7541SA,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was a real treat, I couldn’t have asked for better weather and our tour guide Jesse was really knowledgeable about the area and animals in the preserve! He ensured that everyone was able to keep up with the pace we were going (especially me because I was in a single kayak and the wind was against us for some time lol). Having the clear kayaks were cool because you could see the birds and fish swimming underneath which was a unique experience! I would definitely book with them again!
10/10 Would do it again tomorrow!
886alexandriap,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Jesse was super knowledgeable and had the answer to all of our questions and even kept my 5 year old engaged and interested! He kept the pace manageable for all skill/ability levels. The clear kayaks were perfect for unhampered views of what’s in the water and we collected a ton of perfect shells too! We will book this experience again next time we’re in town.
Tour!
Z7463EEemilya,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jesse did great! Very knowledgeable and informative of the environment!
Calming atmosphere while kayaking
Roberta W,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience at the Shell key preserve. We were able to see the mangroves along the Outer Banks and lots of fish, jumping out of the water. We weren’t able to see any manatees or dolphins, but it was such a calming and enjoyable experience. We went to a little beach that was nearby that you could only get through by boat. Hannah was a great tour guide, and she educated us on a lot of marine and wildlife.
Great kayake experience
joserM8699TK,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best experienced i ever had she needs a raise
From US$79.00
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Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay