Tours/St Petersburg/2.5 Hour Shell Key Island Adventure Including Dolphins And Shells
2.5 Hour Shell Key Island Adventure Including Dolphins And Shells
4.9(120)St Petersburg2h 30min
VIATOR4.8(59)TRIPADVISOR4.9(61)
+47 photos
At a glance
Duration
2h 30min
Price from
$59 / person
Location
St Petersburg, United States
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 120 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 49
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Island Boat Adventures
Meeting point
Arrival time is 30 minutes prior to departure time. If you are using Uber/Lyft, plan accordingly. Parking is available street side of the marina (Miriam St). When you arrive at the marina, look for the tall American flags on the dock. This is check in. Call if you need guidance 727-871-2628.
Description
Embark on an unforgettable Shell Key Adventure with over 15 years of experience guiding you through Florida’s natural wonders! Our expert crew will take you on a journey to the pristine shores of Shell Key, where you can explore beautiful beaches, hunt for rare and unique shells, or simply relax in a serene, unspoiled setting.
As you cruise through Dolphin Bay, you’ll witness wild Bottlenose Dolphins frolicking in their natural habitat, a magical sight for all ages. Our journey also takes you through lush mangroves and estuaries, where you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife, from playful manatees to vibrant sea birds.
At Shell Key, a true Florida gem, prepare to discover an abundance of treasures, including Conchs, Whelks, and the sought-after Junonia shell. Whether you’re an experienced shell hunter or a first-time visitor, you’ll be captivated by the natural beauty and charm of this coastal paradise.
Great for all ages!
BYOB Permitted
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 12+)
$59
Child (ages 3–11)
$49
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free
In demand: 61 of the next 90 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
2.5 Hour Shell Key Island Adventure Including Dolphins And Shells
What's included
Included
Cooler
Not included
Lunch
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
120 reviews
5
110
4
7
3
1
2
0
1
2
How it compares in St Petersburg
No. 34 by number of reviews among 210 tours in St Petersburg
Starting price $59 is close to the typical $59 for tours of similar length in St Petersburg
Excurgo comparison of 210 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
2.5 Hour Shell Key Island Adventure Including Dolphins And Shells lasts about 2h 30min.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $59 per person for this St Petersburg experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–11 pay from $49, adults from $59. Infants go free.
Does this tour sell out?
It can: 61 of the next 90 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Arrival time is 30 minutes prior to departure time. If you are using Uber/Lyft, plan accordingly. Parking is available street side of the marina (Miriam St). When you arrive at the marina, look for the tall American flags on the dock. This is check in. Call if you need guidance 727-871-2628. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 49 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 120 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Island Boat Adventures.
Reviews(120)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
angiegU7846CC
September 20, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Absolutely Amazing!!
This was absolutely the best, our Guide John was so amazing!! They lady that helped me book this( I’m so sorry I don’t remember her name) She was so awesome helping and walking me thru everything , we started just booking a tour and ended up not having enough for a reg boat so we did a private tour. OMG I couldn’t have ben happier that it worked out that way. It was my sister in-laws birthday, she loves hunting shells and we found so many amazing shells in the island. John made sure we seen plenty of Manatees and Dolphins. I can not wait to do this again, I highly recommend!! 10/10 for sure! Also Don’t forget John was the absolute best!! Thank you for making our girls trip one for the books!!!
C
Cheryl_B
September 12, 2026 · via Viator
Cancelled my ride. Did give a complete different option but did not meet my schedule
They canceled my trip offered me a different one, but it was four hours long in the middle of the day to a complete different island scuba diving and I just wanted to go to the islands and pick up shells for 90 minutes
M
michaelhG8619DB
September 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Shell Island Key Tour
Captain Brandy and Captain Robin were awesome. Lots of fun facts about everything we saw along the way. We would 💯 percent take this trip again.
E
Evan_E
August 7, 2026 · via Viator
Unexpected great tour....
Unexpected great tour. Our original one in the morning was cancelled and they put us on the longer afternoon one with snorkeling for the same price. Saw lots of dolphins and manatees too.
Operator response
YAY! Thank you so much and were so glad to know that you enjoyed your time with us!
W
W5939PJmeganr
August 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Family fun adventure
This was such an amazing excursion! The ride to the island was quick and we saw a ton of dolphins and manatees on the way. They even swam along side the boat with us and we were able to stop for a bit to enjoy them. The captains were so friendly and made the whole experience fun for the entire family. We had about 1.5hr on the beach/in the water to find shells and boy did we find some good ones. My kids didn’t want it to end. They are still talking about this adventure. We will definitely be doing this again. So worth the money. We had a blast!
Operator response
We look forward to seeing you next time! Thank you so much for your awesome review!
M
Megan_R
August 7, 2026 · via Viator
Fun for the whole family
My family and I had a blast! The captains were wonderful and made it fun for the whole family. We saw so many dolphins and manatees. They even swam along side our boat. We had about 1.5hr on the beach/in the water to find shells and boy did we find some good ones. We would definitely do this again. Couldn’t recommend this more!! You won’t regret it!
Operator response
Thanks for your fantastic review!
D
debmuf0704
August 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fun and relaxing!
This trip should be on the top of your list! We seen dolphins and manatees! If you collect shells, this trip is for you! Our hosts were fabulous!
Operator response
Thank you!
A
Allison_C
July 27, 2026 · via Viator
Dolphin & Shelling Tour
Amazing experience from the views, Dolphins and shelling and staff. John and Jennifer were amazing. Great music for the tour.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your fabulous review!
E
E464FFsamanthab
July 17, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Review
We had got the time wrong and they still waited for us! The stay was super friendly and the experience was wicked cool!
Operator response
Thanks for the great review! Everyone should know that we do try to leave right on time and can't wait if your too late. That being said, we're so glad you made it in time to join us!
5
523amandai
July 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing
Captain Jon is always a great host . We found some amazing shells . My only complaint is I want to stay all day lol
Operator response
We want to stay all day too! Thank you for the 5 stars!
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