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
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!
Options
Clear Kayak Tour
Reviews
5,749 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect day with our teens
Linda M,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00all four of us in our family enjoyed doing this. Our guide, Les, was excellent. We will do this again the next time we are in Florida.
We had a great trip. We...
Bethany S,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great trip. We took our 3 and 6 yr olds along and they enjoyed it also. Les was a great guide and very informative.
10/10 so much fun
TarynSJ,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had THE best time! Jenna was amazing so knowledgeable and friendly! Would recommend to anyone and everyone!! We saw dolphins, white pelicans and even a bald eagle
Came with a friend from Indiana
Surya M,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Please be prepared to kayak around two hours and break in the middle on an island. water is provided if required by tour guide while on the tour and dry bag for cellphone and wallet safe
Awesome kayak tour
cosmicc2026,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience! Ben was a wonderful guide and we had such a nice time! I usually have anxiety kayaking but this was a very calm and easy tour! I loved that we stopped at the island for pictures and shell collecting
Awesome experience
josegL8724CF,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience fist time kayaking Alessi was fantastic super informative and patient. She even tool photos and videos for us and sent us a link to download them!
Amazing kayak tour of Shell Key and mangroves
larissasG7528NO,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely incredible experience with Get Up and Go. We had a 3 hour private tour at high tide and our guide, Carmen, took us through the mangrove and to Shell Key. Carmen was amazing, my whole family loved her. Carmen is extremely knowledgeable about the ecosystem - fauna and flora - and taught us all about the mangrove lifecycle, how its life starts once seagrass roots in sediment, how it protects the coast from storms, and how new keys and beaches form when storms modify the landscape. Carmen saw how excited my younger son was about the sea animals and went out of her way to show us and teach us about the mangrove roots, mangrove crabs and other juvenile wildlife including the conchs. This kayaking tour was the highlight of our entire trip. We are recommending Get up and Go and Carmen to all of our friends and family who visit the St Pete area. We also witnessed the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. Thank you again Carmen - we can’t wait to come back for another tour with you!
Relaxing Kayaking with a Knowledgeable Guide
rosemC7185UL,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and i came to St. Pete’s for New Years. Ask for Jenna- she was extremely knowledgeable and made for a very relaxing and laid back experience.
Great tour!
suzymteele,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour of the bay and Shell Key Preserve. Our guide Jenna was incredibly knowledgeable and very friendly. We will definitely return.
Fun and educational trip!
kathleensJ8368VR,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alessia was wonderful. I have been on several guided kayak tours in different parts of the country and she was hands down the best guide!
From US$79.00
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Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay